The 'Best Job in the U.S.' Has Over 6,000 Openings Right Now, According to Glassdoor

Many job-seekers seem to have an either/or attitude: They think they can either make a lot of money or be happy with what they do. But, according to one new ranking, it is possible to find a job where you can make bank and still feel satisfied.

A ranking by company review site Glassdoor named data scientist the best job available in the U.S. for its average salary and level of life satisfaction.

The ranking was made based on three factors: earning potential (based on the median annual base salary), overall job satisfaction rating, and number of job openings.

Data scientists have a median base salary of $108,000. They also report, in general, a 4.3 out of five for job satisfaction. The job has one of the highest crossovers for both earning potential and satisfaction. According to Glassdoor, there are also currently more than 6,000 job openings for data scientists across the country.

If all this sounds like fantastic motivation to switch careers, you’ll have to think things through a bit. Becoming a data scientist is not as simple as declaring your intent to change career paths. Generally, you need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, math, or a related field. Then, many data scientists go on to earn a master’s degree in data and some will seek additional certification beyond that.

But, of course, this is a subjective ranking. Another ranking from U.S. News & World Report earlier this year named software developer the best job in America for the second year in a row. The role was prized for its flexible hours and opportunities to work remotely. Software developers are generally able to make more than $100,000 per year.

The Glassdoor ranking put nursing manager as the runner-up, with a median base salary of $83,000. The list was rounded out by marketing manager ($82,000 salary), occupational therapist ($74,000), and product manager ($115,000).