Most overrated and underrated jobs

Some of the most appealing jobs in today’s workplace are underrated, while alluring jobs like advertising agency executive, photojournalist and public relations executive may hold cachet – but they also have a downside, landing them on the CareerCast.com list of most overrated jobs of 2012.CareerCast.com weighed stress, physical demands, and current and future employment outlook (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) to create these lists.

Overrated jobs1. Advertising agency executive Median salary: $64,107 Projected growth: 2010-20 14 percent The glamorous, Scotch-drinking ad agency executives portrayed on television’s popular “Mad Men’’ are unlike the ad agency executives on Madison Avenue today, who see job turnover resulting from the pressure of high expectations and the stress of competition for accounts with lower budgets.

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Overrated jobs2. Senior corporate executive Median salary: $166,141 Project growth 2010-20: 5 percent This position shoulders the responsibility of managing almost every facet of an organization and is accountable for the financial security of hundreds (or thousands) of employees.

Overrated jobs3. Commercial airline pilot Median salary: $103,158 Project growth 2010-20: 11 percent Commercial flights are down, the result of increased demand and expenses like fuel. The cutbacks have widespread effect, not least of which is a grinding halt to hiring of airline pilots.

Overrated jobs4. Stock broker Median salary: $70,474 Projected growth 2010-20: 15 percent A good salary does not make up for the stress endured in this career. Unstable domestic and international markets only add to the pressure, where one decision could derail a client.

Overrated jobs5. Surgeon Median salary: $305,078 Projected growth 2010-20: 24 percent The salary’s high, but so is the pressure. No other career on this list is as stressful, or requires as much training.

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Overrated jobs6. Attorney Median salary: $112,760 Projected growth 2010-20: 10 percent This a hard career field to crack into. Little projected growth means it’s likely to stay that way.

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Overrated jobs7. Public relations manager Projected growth 2010-20: 21 percent The salary and projected growth are both strong. The downside: high stress levels caused by clients, media, and audience. The popularity of public relations work can also make it hard to land a job.

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Overrated jobs8. Flight attendant Median salary: $38,156 Projected growth 2010-20: 0 percent Any job involving free travel sounds great in our book. Unfortunately, the challenges of the airline industry have smothered growth and kept wages stagnant in this field.

Overrated jobs9. Photojournalist Median salary: $40,209 Projected growth 2010-20: 13 percent Photojournalist work is not just stressful, it can be dangerous for those who document war zones, accidents, or crime scenes. Growth in this field is slow, while wages do not make up for the stress levels.

Overrated jobs10. Architect Median salary: $73,179 Projected growth 2010-20: 24 percent Stagnant construction has taken a toll on architecture in recent years. Projected growth is looking more positive these days, but those who land a job can expect a stressful environment.

Underrated jobs1. Computer systems analyst Median salary: $78,148 Projected growth 2010-20: 22 percent Lucrative possibilities and a positive job growth outlook make this position one of the best in today’s workforce and CareerCast.com’s most underrated job.

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Underrated jobs2. Civil engineer Median salary: $78,133 Projected growth 2010-20: 19 percent Projected increases in infrastructure-related construction result in a positive outlook for the civil engineering profession, the number two most underrated job.

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Underrated jobs3. Veterinarian Median salary: $82,190 Projected growth 2010-20: 36 percent People love their pets, and as a result the demand for veterinarians it expected to increase 36 percent. Combine that with low stress, and veterinarian is a promising career option.

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Underrated jobs4. Biologist Median salary: $73,285 Projected growth 2010-20: 31 percent Low physical demands and stress levels contribute to a pleasant environment for biologists. This field also has a good salary and high projected growth.

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Underrated jobs5. Market research analyst Median salary: $61,236 Projected growth 2010-20: 41 percent Fast growth makes this an attractive career for workers interested in economic trends.

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Underrated jobs6. Accountant Median salary: $62,174 Projected growth 2010-20: 16 percent Accountant jobs are well-appreciated amid tough economic times. They traditionally include low levels of stress and low physical demands.

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Underrated jobs7. Legal assistant Median salary: $46,680 Projected growth 2010-20: 18 percent . Shorter hours and projected growth put this job on the underrated list.

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Underrated jobs8. Economist Median salary: $89,223 Projected growth 2010-20: 6 percent This field is not expected to grow significantly in the coming years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. People able to land work as economists enjoy low physical demands, low stress, and a peaceful work environment.

Underrated jobs9. School principal Median salary: $87,122 Projected growth 2010-20: 10 percent Strong earnings and a positive work environment make this an attractive position.

Underrated jobs10. Plumber Median salary: $46,660 Projected growth 2010-20: 26 percent Demand for plumbers held strong even while the construction industry faced challenges in recent years. Stability and low stress levels earned this career a spot on the underrated list.

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