9 degrees that will make you love going to work every day

Stressed, unfulfilled, laid off — that’s what workers worldwide are dealing with. It’s hardly the picture of folks with the highest job satisfaction.

Employee stress might have declined slightly, but only 23% of employees reported being engaged at work. And with hundreds of thousands of layoffs reported in 2024, it can seem like being happy at your job is just a farfetched dream.

Look deeper into the stats, and a different story emerges. This is because these figures are a sum of all industries rather than just looking at specific parts independently. Meaning that some industries do better than the rest when striving to produce the highest job satisfaction.

And if you have the right degree, you too can join their fulfilled, if not entirely blissful, ranks.

But first, what does “highest job satisfaction” even mean?

Unlocking the secrets to career bliss: The meaning of ‘highest job satisfaction’

For some, it could mean working in a safe space where colleagues are supportive and under a compassionate leader.

Others may want more material things, such as an endless supply of snacks, bean bags, or a gym.

Then there are those who want flexibility or work-life balance.

Certain groups of people, like parents, for example, might value a company that offers a great work-life balance so they can be productive at work and still spend time with their families.

The converse wants to win promotion after promotion regardless of the cost. They are okay with spending nights and weekends in the office.

It boils down to the company’s culture and what you want — the smaller the gap between this, the more satisfied one feels.

A study by Robert Half Solutions showed that 35% of job seekers will refuse a job offer if they feel that the company’s culture is poor.

It was also reported that 58% of employees quit their jobs because of their managers.

A company that seems to have found a way to cultivate the highest job satisfaction is global management consulting firm Bain & Company, according to Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work 2024 list.

There, employees rate their working experience 4.3 out of 5 stars, based on 7,251 company reviews. This puts Bain & Company’s employee rating 23% above average for employers within the Management & Consulting industry, which stands at 3.5 stars.

It’s tough work, but at Bain & Company, “you are empowered and accountable, but you are not alone,” writes an employee on the company’s Glassdoor profile. “The best part is you can’t fail. Because, after all, what all those people are reinforcing is that a Bainie never lets another Bainie fail.”

It’s close, but this is hardly a definitive statement of what leads to the highest job satisfaction.

Sometimes, it’s about making a real difference — something that makes the world a better place. The US Bureau of Labour Statistics reported in most of 2022, around four million people in the US quit their jobs to find more meaningful work.

According to PayScale, the least meaningful job category is parking lot attendants, with only 5% of attendants thinking their job makes the world a better place.

On the other end, you’ll find that an interest in social impact jobs or careers in climate change have spiked, which is fantastic news for humanity and the wider world.

Still, there aren’t any right or wrong answers; it all depends on you, your life and your wants and needs.

That’s why it’s important to know which degrees lead to careers with the highest job satisfaction.

Know them in and out, and you might identify whether they fit you. The better the fit, the likelier you are to love going to work every day.

9 best degrees that lead to the highest job satisfaction

1. Bachelor of Dental Hygiene 

If you think spending your day looking into people’s mouths all day can’t bring you happiness, think again. Pursuing a career as a dental hygienist has been found to lead to the highest job satisfaction. 

Based on a survey done by PayScale, a career in this field has ranked in the top 35 for job satisfaction compared to more than 500 professions.

But why are dental hygiene graduates so happy?

The main reason is that dental hygienists earn considerably high salaries — they earn a median annual salary of US$106,068 in the US — while enjoying the work-life balance that the profession offers, seeing as you can’t bring your work home with you.

The ability to help patients manage their overall health through dental practices and form relationships with them contributes to this job’s high ranking as well. “[It’s] a very nice feeling when the patient comes tired from the pain and leaves you feeling happy,” writes one dentist on Reddit. “[It’s] an indescribable feeling.”

To secure a career in this field, you will need to obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. Here are some of the best universities to earn your qualification:

• University of Wyoming, US
• University of Birmingham, UK
• Curtin University, Australia 

2. Bachelor in Early Childhood Education 

Working with children might sound fun — and it can be — but like most jobs, it has its hard days too. Still, being around bundles of joy and teaching them to navigate the world makes a job as an early childhood educator earn you one of the highest job satisfaction.

If you’re working in the likes of Luxembourg, expect to earn an average of 41,544 euros (US$43,125) per year — one of the highest pays in the world for this career.

To qualify for this role, you must complete an accredited programme at a recognised university or higher education institution.

If you are ready to take on that responsibility, here are some universities that offer a bachelor’s in early childhood education:

• Purdue University, US
• University of Portsmouth, UK 
• Victoria University, Australia 

3. Bachelor of Science in Anesthesiology

While most jobs in the medical line have high-stress levels, this does not apply to anesthesiologists. 

Not only do anesthesiologists enjoy several weeks of paid vacation time per year, but they also earn a high salary of US$359,909 annually. 

Anesthesiologists help patients before they are put under anaesthesia and monitor their progress. To succeed in this line, you will require specific and niche skills. 

To gain those skills, start with a bachelor’s degree from one of the best universities offering programmes in anaesthesia. This includes: 

• Johns Hopkins University, US
• King’s College London, UK
• University of British Columbia, Canada

4. Bachelor of Psychology

While being a psychologist is no easy feat, it can bring high levels of job satisfaction, especially as you are helping others with what’s arguably their most crucial body part: their mind.

Not only do psychologists earn a high salary of US$101,457 a year, but they also have the highest satisfaction rates.

According to the American Psychological Association, about 93% of 187,000 psychologists in the US reported feeling “somewhat satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their jobs. 

To become a psychologist, you will first need the appropriate qualifications, starting with a bachelor’s degree. Here are some universities to consider: 

• Princeton University, US
• University of Cambridge, UK
• The University of West Australia, Australia

5. Bachelor of Nursing 

If you have a passion for medicine but want to play a more direct role in caring for patients, nursing might be just the job for you. 

Nursing is considered to be a career with the highest job satisfaction. Like being a dental hygienist, you will get to form relationships with your patients and help them get better. 

Nurses are also some of the highest paid in the world, earning an average base salary of US$93,672 and an overtime fee of US$12,000 per year.  

And with the worldwide shortage of nurses, you’ll always be in high demand wherever you go.

If you are interested in pursuing an education in nursing, here are the best universities in the world to do so:

• University of Washington, US
• The University of Manchester, UK
• University of Toronto, Canada

6. Bachelor in Digital Marketing 

If you’re someone who’s outgoing and enjoys promoting a portfolio of clients to the world, then you should consider pursuing a career in digital marketing. 

One of the careers in the field is being a social media director. In the role, you’ll work with a company’s goals and branding to develop strategies for connecting with consumers through social media platforms. This includes managing content creators, content schedules, and social media metrics. 

The average salary for a social media director is US$150,188. However, as you’ll always be chasing after trends, engagements, and numbers, this job isn’t for the uncommitted.

42% of marketers plan to stop working in social media within the next two years, reported a 2023 Sprout Social study. It also found that 63% of social media professionals were either experiencing burnout or had experienced it within one to three months.

Still, if getting awe-inspiring or mindboggling marketing campaigns sounds like something up your alley, consider these universities offering the best programmes or courses in digital marketing: 

• Melbourne Institute Of Technology, Australia
• Geneva Business School, Switzerland
• University of Pennsylvania, US

7. Bachelor in UX Design

While User Experience (UX) design can be a difficult career, most UX/UI designers are happy in their roles.

UX designers rate their job satisfaction score at 72% as reported by MeasuringU. Glassdoor also included UX design in a list of the top 50 jobs in the US based on earning potential, number of job openings, and overall job satisfaction.

UX designers study user preferences and experiences to find ways to improve digital assets. An optimal user experience can positively impact a company’s reputation, consumer base, and bottom line.

But perhaps more profound is how they’re helping people use technology. The reason why you’re reading this so seamlessly on your sleek smartphone is due to UX design graduates.

If you have an interest in being a UX designer, these are the best universities to go to:

• University of the Arts London, UK
• DePaul University, US
• Swinburne University of Technology, Australia

8. Bachelor in Occupational Therapy

Similar to physical therapists, occupational therapists (OT) help the ill or injured live and work normally through daily therapy.

OTs perform physical assessments, develop personalised treatment plans, and make supportive recommendations for home and work environments.

Imagine helping a grandmother walk again after knee replacement surgery so she can visit her grandchildren. Or helping a child with disabilities take part in school so that they don’t feel left out by their able-bodied friends.

All of these are meaningful — and naturally, lead to some of the highest job satisfaction.

Here are three universities with the best undergraduate programmes for occupational therapy:

• McGill University, Canada
• University of Northampton, UK
• Monash University, Australia

9. Bachelor in Animal Science

Being a veterinarian can be stressful, but those in the field rate their career happiness 3.7 out of 5 stars, which puts them in the top 20% of careers based on Career Explorer. 

Redditors advise that if you want to join the profession because you like animals, you might want to reconsider, though. “Many of the animals you see on a day-to-day basis aren’t thrilled to see you, many are sick, and some try to bite or attack,” one Redditor shares.

Another echoes the sentiment. “Veterinary medicine is 90% working with people because the animals can’t speak,” they said. “That being said, I wouldn’t do anything else. The job can be very rewarding, like when you have a long-term patient breakthrough, or you meet people who are just so grateful for you.”

Consider these universities to be a veterinarian:

• Royal Veterinary College, UK
• University of Bern, Switzerland
• University of Queensland, Australia

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on January 7, 2025.