The Happiest Job in the World

We spend most of our lives doing our jobs, so why shouldn’t we strive to be as happy as possible during all those working hours? BambooHR, a leading HR software company, analyzed employees’ self-reported happiness across eight key industries from January 2020 through March 2024, and the results are surprising. The happiest jobs weren’t necessarily the highest paid or most glamorous; they were some of the most hands-on and labor-intensive. Despite the difficulties of these industries, careers high in job satisfaction have something in common: workers feel valued. Discover where the happiest employees are working.

The Happiest Job

Construction industry workers are happiest. Sure, construction is hard, labor-intensive work, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Not only do construction workers get to see the fruits of their labor in real time, but the industry is flourishing. Most noticeably, hourly wages for construction workers are steadily increasing due to high demand for new construction projects and a severely dwindling labor force. 

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average hourly rate was nearly $38 as of March 2024, far exceeding typical earnings in similar manufacturing industries. Construction workers are paid more on the West Coast and in New England, where the average laborer makes over $43 an hour. Construction employees can make more than ever before and have their choice of location, as many areas of the U.S. need workers. The happiest construction workers are those whose leadership offers flexible schedules, benefits, and better work-life balance.

Top Contenders

These results don’t mean that jobs in other industries aren’t worthwhile. It’s important to acknowledge the dedication of employees in all sectors, regardless of their happiness rankings. In fact, BambooHR determined that 2024 Q1 marked a universal increase in average happiness levels for employees in all countries. Workers thrive in many fields, especially when their employers value work-life balance.

The travel and hospitality industry came in as the second happiest industry. Following an impressive recovery from Covid, which saw a surge in travel and tourism, employees are now as happy as they were pre-pandemic as new job opportunities surge. Education workers are the third-happiest, but it is important to note that the happiest workers in education aren’t K-12 teachers (who report high stress levels). They’re university professors and education staff members. 

Finance workers are the fourth-happiest, but the industry is experiencing a decline in happiness. One risk management employee explained a few of the industry’s current pitfalls, “Employees are not happy with having to go back into the office, and income has not kept up with inflation, which has spiked recently.” These factors and increased job stress due to the current economy have contributed to the decline in happiness in the finance industry.

Industries That Need Improvement

On average, restaurant, food, and beverage employees are the fifth happiest industry workers. The industry shows no signs of slowing down, which could impact future wages, job opportunities, and overall happiness. Technology, which was the second-happiest industry at the beginning of 2023, fell to the sixth spot by the end of the year, hitting a four-year low. Large-scale layoffs and return-to-office mandates are the culprits for the drop. Although nonprofit employee satisfaction improved during the first half of 2024, it is still in seventh place. One nonprofit manager is hopeful about the industry, saying, “People are recognizing it’s not okay to not pay people a living wage just because they work for a nonprofit.” Hopefully, the industry will see improvement as attitudes begin to shift.

The least-happiest industry in 2024 is healthcare. These workers reported the lowest happiness levels in April 2023. Still, levels have slightly improved over the past year, signaling some hope for the future of employee satisfaction. Many healthcare workers cite burnout and exhaustion. However, it’s important to note that many employees aren’t leaving the industry — they’re finding employment in their field but with empathetic management, better benefits, flexible schedules, and work-life balance. This resilience of healthcare workers is a testament to their dedication. Hopefully, healthcare industry leaders take note of these changes and offer better opportunities and benefits to their employees. Likewise, leaders in any industry might also learn from this study, highlighting the significance of employees feeling valued and appreciated.