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Which Science Careers Have the Highest Level of Job Satisfaction?

Science job satisfaction

Pursuing a career in the science industry isn't easy; the academic requirements mean years of study, followed by a significant amount of training to prepare for work.

Although not for the faint of heart, across the board within the science industry there have been reports of job satisfaction increasing in recent years.

Work within the science industry may be difficult and exhausting, but it can also be very rewarding. Although there are a wide number of different careers in science that have different roles and responsibilities, as a whole, the science industry is all about making a change. When you work within the science industry, you're a part of something bigger, and you can really feel like your work is making a change to people's lives. It doesn't get more satisfying than that!

If you're currently considering a career in the science industry and are wondering which careers have the highest levels of job satisfaction, you're in the right place. But before we get into listing the careers with the highest level of job satisfaction, a little disclaimer: job satisfaction can mean different things to different people.

There are a lot of different factors to consider when measuring job satisfaction, such as money, hours, and working conditions. Also, a lot of statistics about job satisfaction are self-reported, so the testimonies are from scientists currently working in their respective fields.

There is no one set path you can take that will lead you directly to guaranteed job satisfaction. That said, let's take a look at some of the (reportedly) most satisfying jobs within the science industry.

What affects job satisfaction?

Job security and opportunities for promotion

A report from Biospace (2021) showed that 60% of life science professionals shared a 'positive sentiment' regarding the current job market, and that closely correlated with 67% of life science employees who reported feeling confident about their job security.

 

Salary

Of course, money is probably the factor that has the biggest impact on job satisfaction.

Some of the highest-paid science jobs in the UK include:

  • Nuclear Engineer (Avg. £61,000)
  • General Practitioner (Avg. £65,500)
  • Software Engineer (Avg. £44,000)
  • Senior Biologist (Avg. £43,500)
  • Chemical Engineer (Avg. £35,000)
  • Environmental Scientist (Avg. £32,500)

Source: Indeed

 

Industry vs Academia

One of the most pronounced divides in the science industry is that between industry and academia.

Industry science jobs tend to come with higher salaries and higher levels of job satisfaction.

Academia roles generally offer less money than industry roles. Most individuals in the academic field are working towards the goal of achieving tenure - something that can be very difficult to achieve, and is often dependent on another tenured staff member retiring or quitting.

Industry work tends to be more collaborative, whereas academia focuses on the work of an individual. Individuals also get more credit for their work in academia, whereas in industry your name will likely just be small print on a long list of contributors.

Whether you prefer to work independently or as part of a larger team could determine your level of job satisfaction in these two fields.

There are many different careers available within the science industry, all with different reported levels of satisfaction. Click the link below to take a look at the range of different science roles currently available in the UK.

Browse Science Jobs

With such a wide range of different careers available, it can be difficult to know which job you're best suited to, and which will bring you the highest level of satisfaction.

Here at Hyper Recruitment Services, we're dedicated to helping you find the perfect science job. If you'd like to speak with a member of our specialist recruitment team, reach out and contact us today.

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