There are many ways to measure job satisfaction these days. Some of these include benefits packages, career advancement opportunities, job security and a good balance between work and personal life. Even when an individual earns at or above a $75,000 annual income, that still cannot guarantee that an individual will be happy
with their chosen career.
The kind of job everyone is looking for is the one that is fun and you look forward to getting up in the morning for. However, even the most fun jobs cannot be said to translate into the most satisfying of all employment. For instance, a survey conducted recently of theme park employees found that those at Disney ranked their satisfaction as being lower than military personnel.
Nevertheless, if you are someone who is searching for the perfect job, (a mix of fun and good salary) which hopefully will also render job satisfaction, here is a list of the top 10 fun jobs that pay well starting from the bottom.
#10 Standup Comedian
The starting salary for a standup comedian is around $10,000 annually, but that can increase to more than a million for someone that makes it big in the business. The reason it is so satisfying is that making people laugh is great fun. In addition to that, if you get lucky, you can start earning thousands per gig, or just like Jimmy Kimmel you could really start raking in the cash.
#8 Video Game Designer
The average annual salary for video game designers is approximately $46,000. If you enjoy playing games all day, this may be an excellent position to have. it may just be even more fun to get to design your own. You will need a degree in graphic design to do well though. Again, after a few years, you may be able to push that salary up to the $70,000 range.
#7 Park Ranger
Surveys typically show that those who hold government sponsored positions are delighted with their jobs. Park rangers typically earn above $47,000 annually in income. The happiness not only comes from earning a good salary, but it also comes from a feeling of importance in the scheme of things. It is possible to increase that salary to around $57,000 per year if you became a supervisor.
#6 Magician
A magician is also in the entertainment industry and in a position where you are making people laugh from amazement. Depending on the number and type of gigs performed each year, it is possible to earn in excess of $49,000 annually as a magician. The best part is that you are allowed a lot of creativity in developing your own shows and get to perform for a wide range of audiences.
#5 Pilot
Everyone would like to fly a plane, and being a pilot just lets you live out your dreams. That has to be a lot of fun and very satisfying. Of course, it can be a lot of stress knowing that you have the lives of lots of peopledepending on you doing a good job. Annual salary for airline pilots averages at about $81,000. That means you get to do something you love while earning good pay.
#4 Chocolatier
Yum! Who doesn’t love chocolate and getting to play with it all day sounds like tremendous fun. It is possible for anyone to get tired of something they do every day, all day long, but lots of people would be willing to take the chance. At Godiva, top chocolatiers earn salaries of $90,000 to $100,000 per year. That sure sounds like it would be fun.
#3 Wine Maker
No, you won’t have to go out and buy a vineyard in order to enjoy wine making. A lot of wineries pay someone else to do that for them. The majority of wine makers get a bachelor’s degree in wine making and have a minimum of 5 years in the practice. It can take some time to climb the proverbial wine making ladder, but it is possible to earn a salary of $93,000 or better per year just doing something you love, and who wouldn’t want to make wine.
#2 Astronaut
There is a good reason so many people dream of being astronauts and they don’t all revolve around annual salaries of $100,000. It must be fun getting to float around in space. Pay of course is determined by the federal government pay scale and that is decided on experience and academic achievement. Adults that are in excellent physical condition and who can meet basic qualifications have the opportunity to apply for astronaut training. Just remember, only the best candidates are selected.
#1 Driving Instructor for Ferrari
Yes, I am serious. This is a real job, and a fun one at that. Anthony Lazzaro makes from $500 to $1,000 per day in this position. You do know who Anthony is don’t you. He used to be a NASCAR race car driver. Classes cost students $9,000, and the instructor gets his share of that. Annual salary is $120,000 on the low end and goes up from there. Nice gig if you can get it.
So, what are you waiting for? You could also be working in a job you love that brings you a lot of satisfaction. These are just our version of the top 10 fun jobs that pay well. You may already be working in one of your own. It is often just a matter of your frame of mind. As a rule, most people can make their job the best in the world just by using a bit of mental imaging
