40 Best Jobs for the Ultimate Work–Life Balance

Yes, they really do exist!

Reviewed by Chris Leitch

work-life balance jobs

In this rat race that we call life, it’s imperative that we prioritize making time to what's important and just relax at times. But being overworked while trying to make ends meet and keep our heads above water, it gets challenging.

Do you wake up dreading your morning commute yet push through, only to get into the office and drown in a pile of paperwork? If you’re amongst the majority of workers who are now searching for a job that can provide good work–life balance, then look no further.

Here are 40 of the best jobs for work–life balance based on employee feedback shared on Glassdoor over the past year!

1. Lab assistant

Average salary: $38,270

Lab assistants are responsible for a number of tasks, including examining bodily fluids and cells, and matching blood for transfusion. This interesting job has a low stress level, good work–life balance, and solid prospects to grow, get promoted and earn a higher salary.

2. Creative manager

Average salary: $138,730

Creative managers typically head the creative team of advertising and marketing companies. They tend to work with artists, designers, marketers and salespeople. This role leads to great job satisfaction; with such a sociable role, work life and personal life tend to overlap, entertaining new clients and protecting vital relationships.

3. Research technician

Average salary: $49,650

A research technician helps scientists with their studies and experiments. Depending on their exact job, they might have any number of duties, including collecting data, ordering inventory and conducting experiments. They often work in the health sector and help find cures to improve the lives of the general public.

4. Research analyst

Average salary: $68,230

Depending on the industry, research analysts collect data and compile reports to better the product, service and company they’re working for. Many analysts have job flexibility and enjoy being involved in a number of different projects, meaning that not every day will be the same.

5. Software developer

Average salary: $124,200

Developers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly. They turn the programs’ designs created by software engineers into instructions that a computer can follow. As everything has moved online, programmers are highly sought-after; they’re also in a field that offers a good work–life balance and great compensation.

6. Client manager

Average salary: $130,600

Client managers work as part of a sales team, acting as the main point of contact for an organization’s clients. With the option to work from home, this high-paying job is perfect for people who want a career and a great family life.

7. Recruiting manager

Average salary: $130,000

Although, as you’d expect, recruiting managers are often under a lot of pressure, the job is highly rated for its work–life balance. Recruiting managers are essentially responsible for keeping up vital relationships with clients and ensuring staff are constantly checking résumés and making arrangements for interviews for the best candidates on their shortlists.

8. Marketing coordinator

Average salary: $138,730

Marketing coordinators have the chance to work on innovative and inventive projects; their duties vary which makes their job interesting. It’s also worth noting that they have ample career advancement opportunities, too.

9. Project analyst

Average salary: $95,370

Project analysts assist project managers by providing critical data support. The position has “quite flexible working hours for senior employees and the ability to work from home,” wrote a business analyst working at Thomson Reuters.

10. Data analyst

Average salary: $103,500

Collecting data and translating numbers into everyday English helps companies make better business decisions. If you’re a whiz with numbers and want a good balance between work and home, this position is right for you.

11. Technical editor

Average salary: $79,960

This profession involves editing complex documents for the average person to understand. If you’re a techie who likes playing the role of grammar police, this might be the perfect job for you. A plus is that you can work as a freelance editor and manage your own schedule.

12. Content manager

Average salary: $138,730

If you’re a marketing geek with a flair for content, then this is the ideal job for you. Your duties will involve overseeing a website’s content and maintaining its freshness and readability. You’ll do this by creating, editing and posting new content, and updating or cleaning up outdated content.

13. Web designer

Average salary: $80,730

These tech wizzes build and redesign websites, making them easy to function and ensuring they’re esthetically appealing. They often have the autonomy to get contracted gigs and the flexibility to work remotely.

14. Social media manager

Average salary: $138,730

In today’s social media-obsessed world, every company needs to employ their very own social media manager. They’re responsible for spreading the firm’s message across social media platforms while also increasing its following and establishing its brand.

15. Library assistant

Average salary: $35,280

If you’re a bookworm that enjoys a bit of peace and quiet, this position is right up your alley. You would help librarians acquire, prepare and organize materials, as well as perform other tasks such as cataloging and shelving books. Usually, this job can also be done part time if you have family commitments.

16. Substitute teacher

Average salary: $42,680

Although substitute teachers earn significantly less than some of the other careers listed, they have a great work–life balance due to the reduced stress of not having their personal class. If you love children, this job can bring you true happiness! Responsibilities include filling in for students’ regular teachers and making sure their lesson plans are followed.

17. Scrum master

Average salary: $85,720

The scrum master (“scrum” referring to a project management approach used in software development) essentially leads and coaches teams to help them manage their projects and achieve the desired results. The high salary makes this important role particularly desirable.

18. Marketing analyst

Average salary: $68,230

This role consists of comprehensively analyzing a company’s key performance indicators and then transforming that into easy-to-understand reports for management.

19. Research engineer

Average salary: $136,620

Depending on the field (such as mechanical, electrical or aerospace), an engineer works with other researchers and engineers, analyzing, implementing and testing materials in a lab. Although this is a very demanding position, researchers still manage to maintain a life outside the lab.

20. Software engineer

Average salary: $124,200

Software engineers are in charge of designing, developing and implementing computer programs. Although it’s a very technical role, if you have the acquired skills, you’ll be in your element.

21. Technical account manager

Average salary: $130,600

This job generally consists of managing a company’s various accounts and assisting partners or customers with technical help. Although this career can be stressful, working hours are usually your normal 9 to 5.

22. Recruiting coordinator

Average salary: $64,240

Recruiting coordinators are responsible for checking résumés and making arrangements for interviews for the best candidates on their shortlists. This job has many different aspects to it and can be quite rewarding, especially with the added bonuses.

23. UI designer

Average salary: $80,730

User interface designers lead the design of apps and online platforms helping companies understand what customers find desirable and designing the product in easy-to-use ways.

24. Strategy manager

Average salary: $130,600

Are you a great leader with innovative ideas and a laidback attitude? If so, this prominent role is perfect for you. You’ll be in charge of formulating and implementing goals and initiatives.

25. Data scientist

Average salary: $103,500

Harvard Business Review has named data science the sexiest job of the 21st century, and for good reason, too, considering the increasing demand for individuals qualified to do this line of work. Data scientists make discoveries in pools of data that can help a company increase its following and optimize its products or services.

26. UX designer

Average salary: $80,730

A user experience designer is responsible for making a customer’s experience with the company’s product positive. They’re accountable for making products more accessible, enjoyable and usable. Although the concept of a UX designer dates back to the 1940s, these positions have become increasingly popular as companies have been realizing the importance of customer satisfaction.

27. Corporate recruiter

Average salary: $130,000

Corporate recruiters work with hiring managers to help fill and develop roles at a company, particularly while it is growing. The job also typically requires making sure existing infrastructure and roles optimize the company’s productivity. Besides the opportunity to progress to a managerial role and the added commissions, this position ranks high for work–life balance.

28. Actuary

Average salary: $113,990

Actuaries use a combination of mathematical, statistical and financial theories to assess the cost of potential risks and uncertainty. Their work is, therefore, vital to the insurance industry.

If you want to enjoy both your work and personal life to the max, this is a profession you’ll want to consider.

29. Insurance agent

Average salary: $57,860

Insurance sales agents are responsible for approaching and engaging potential customers and selling them insurance plans that match their needs. The most common types of insurance plans sold by agents include property and casualty, life, health, and long-term care.

30. Personal trainer

Average salary: $45,380

Personal trainers put together fitness programs and instruct individuals during physical exercise, most commonly in a gym setting. They may work on a part-time or full-time basis, ensuring that exercises are performed safely and fitness goals are achieved.

31. Physician assistant

Average salary: $126,010

Physician assistants, also referred to as PAs, work alongside physicians, surgeons and other healthcare workers. Their duties include examining patients, taking medical records, ordering diagnostic tests and recording patients’ progress. Although they might sometimes be required to be on call, their working hours are fairly standard.

32. Real estate agent

Average salary: $52,030

Real estate sales agents assist clients in buying, renting or selling properties. As most of them tend to be self-employed, they’re normally able to set their own work hours. This profession lends itself to flexible scheduling, has a healthy job outlook and, depending on where you live and who your clients are, can be quite lucrative as well.

33. Orthodontist

Average salary: $159,530

An orthodontist’s main duty is to diagnose and treat malocclusions. That’s a fancy word for when a patients’ top and bottom teeth don’t align properly, which can impact their chewing efficiency and digestive process.

Another positive aspect to being an orthodontist, beside their predictable work hours, is that they don’t tend to get a bad rap as dentists do.

FUN FACT

Did you know that around 36% of the population is scared of going to the dentist?

34. Project manager

Average salary: $95,370

A project manager plans and oversees the execution of various projects while adhering to budget and time constraints. Although they might be called to work longer hours when deadlines approach, their schedules tend to be standard otherwise.

35. Dietician

Average salary: $69,350

As far as great work–life balance jobs go, dieticians have it pretty good. Most of them work full time at hospitals, outpatient or nursing care centers, or from their own office. Their main responsibilities include managing disease and promoting health using nutrition.

36. Chiropractor

Average salary: $75,380

Working from their own office or a group chiropractic practice, chiropractors work on patients’ bones, muscles, nerves and tendons to decrease pain and increase range of motion. Although they might sometimes be called to work longer hours, their working schedules tend to be fairly standard.

37. Court reporter

Average salary: $63,560

Court reporters transcribe word-for-word everything that’s said in trials and other legal proceedings. As such, it’s imperative that they have excellent writing skills and attention to detail, as well as the ability to concentrate for long periods of time.

38. Audiologist

Average salary: $82,680

Typically working from healthcare facilities such as physicians’ offices and hospitals, audiologists diagnose, manage and treat patients with hearing or balance problems.

In the vast majority of cases, audiologists work full-time, 9-to-5 positions.

39. Property manager

Average salary: $60,670

Property managers are responsible for the ongoing maintenance of real estate units as well as collecting rent, managing disputes and maintaining a positive relationship with tenants. Besides managing residential properties, property managers might also manage commercial or industrial ones.

40. Optometrist

Average salary: $125,590

Optometrists assess, manage and treat conditions affecting a client’s visual system. They do this by prescribing corrective lenses and, in some cases, carrying out minor surgical procedures and prescribing medications.

Optometrists who run their own businesses can choose when and how much to work, enjoying flexible hours. On top of that, they can expect increased job security as their profession is set to grow 9% between 2022 and 2032, according to the BLS.

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Final thoughts

As with any of these positions, your heart needs to be in it and you must enjoy what you’re doing, otherwise your job satisfaction levels will suffer. JPMorgan’s CEO Jamie Dimon said: “It’s very important that people be deliberate… because they do a pretty good job sometimes of undermining their own life, their health.”

Indeed, high salaries and employee benefits won’t save you if you’re constantly exhausted and left with no time to pursue your interests, hobbies and time with loved ones. It’s not a coincidence that “work–life imbalance”, as the Mayo Clinic calls it, is among the main factors of burnout in the workplace.

So, if you’re a high school leaver trying to decide on a career path or a working professional looking to change careers, consider one of these professions to preserve your downtime and life outside of work.

Originally published on December 11, 2017. Updated by Electra Michaelidou.