In this article, we will look at 25 most boring jobs that pay $100,000 or more. We will explore the most boring and easiest jobs in the world while analyzing the current job market scene and its implications. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can head straight to the 10 Most Boring Jobs that Pay $100,000 or More.
In a world where work-life balance is highly valued, finding a job that is not only financially rewarding but also mentally stimulating is crucial. However, there are certain jobs that, despite offering attractive salaries, may leave individuals feeling uninspired and unengaged.
What Are the Most Boring Jobs in the World?
In 2022, scientists conducted a study to identify the characteristics of the "most boring person in the world." in terms of profession. The research, published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, involved examining 500 participants across five different studies. The study found that jobs in the fields of data analysis, accounting, tax/insurance, cleaning, and banking were considered the most boring.
Moreover, research conducted by Duke University and Stirling University showed that many people stick with boring jobs instead of pursuing more exciting ones because they don't expect to be paid enough for the extra effort. Thus, people often tend to prioritize higher compensation over job satisfaction when wages come into consideration.
What is the Easiest Job that Pays Over $100,000?
Based on consensus, the easiest jobs that pay $100,000 are that of a web developer or of a real estate agent. These jobs were also one of the High Paying Remote Jobs without a Degree or Experience. On the other hand, the job of a security guard or a night watchman is considered to be the laziest job, as it usually requires minimal physical effort.
The Gloomy Tech Layoffs: What’s Happening?
The intersection of job satisfaction and compensation becomes even more relevant in light of recent developments in the tech industry, which has experienced a wave of layoffs in 2023. Major players like Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN), Meta Platforms, Inc (NASDAQ:META), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), International Business Machines Corp (NYSE:IBM), and smaller companies have all announced significant job reductions.
These industry developments underscore the need for individuals to carefully consider the balance between engaging work and adequate compensation as they make career decisions, especially in a dynamic job market. If you are interested in discovering jobs with such a balance, read our article on 25 Best Work-Life Balance Jobs to Enjoy Life.
The inflated hiring during the pandemic to support remote work and e-commerce has led to revenue declines for these companies amid rising interest rates and stagflation, prompting cost-cutting measures to make ends meet. Despite predictions of modest growth in global IT spending, certain sectors like data centers and communications services are expected to see minimal growth, while hardware sales are projected to decline.
Ongoing challenges such as supply chain issues, inflation, and geopolitical tensions have further impacted spending, raising concerns of a potential recession. According to Layoffs.fyi, hundreds of tech companies have laid off over 208,000 employees in 2023.
An example of recent layoffs is Oracle Corp (NYSE:ORCL)'s decision to cut jobs at its Cerner healthcare unit, influenced by problems with a project for the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Despite the challenges, Oracle Corp (NYSE:ORCL) achieved remarkable success, recording record sales for their last fiscal year. The company experienced a substantial surge in quarterly cloud revenue, witnessing a 54% year-over-year increase.
Despite the challenges posed by inflation, high-profile layoffs, and rising gas prices, the U.S. labor market continues to display resilience. In May 2023, there was a significant increase in hiring, with 339,000 job openings.
The hiring surge aligned closely with the 12-month average of 341,000, and emphasized the steadfastness of the labor market amidst a slowing economy. The professional and business services sector led the way with 64,000 new hires, followed by government (56,000) and healthcare (52,000). Other sectors such as leisure and hospitality, construction, transportation, and warehousing also experienced similar trends in numbers.
Is AI a Threat to Jobs Specific to Women?
The recent data reveals an encouraging trend in the US labor market, with women between the ages of 25 and 54 achieving record-high labor force participation rates in April and May of 2023, which signaled a positive recovery from the pandemic's economic impact. However, there is a growing concern that the rising adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies could disproportionately impact women in the workforce.
Studies indicate that around 79% of working women, compared to 58% of men, hold jobs that are at higher risk of being disrupted or automated by AI. While AI brings opportunities, there are valid concerns about potential job displacement and the potential setback to women’s progress in an otherwise resilient labor market.
For our methodology to list the 25 most boring jobs that pay $100,000 or more, we focused on identifying jobs that consistently garnered consensus as being “monotonous”, “repetitive”, “boring”, or “tedious”. To achieve this, we analyzed various sources including various subreddits and Quora discussions to understand the experiences of employees in boring jobs first hand.
We obtained average salaries in the U.S. from reputable sources such as Glassdoor.com, Indeed.com, and Salary.com to rank these jobs. The list is presented in ascending order of high average salaries.
Here is a list of 25 most boring jobs that pay $100,000 or more:
25. Database Administrator
Average Salary: $100,000
The database administrator, also known as a DBA, plays a crucial role in maintaining, securing, and operating databases. They are responsible for the proper storage and retrieval of data. In addition, DBAs collaborate with developers to design and implement new features while troubleshooting any encountered issues.
Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) is one of the top choices for professionals in the field for the excellent salary packages. With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor, 98% of employees of Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) would recommend the position of Database Administrator at Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) to a friend.
24. Quality Assurance Worker
Average Salary: $102,994
A quality assurance worker ensures that products or services meet established standards and specifications. In 2021, Quality Assurance Worker was at the 216th spot in the most popular jobs in the U.S. Government with a total of 585 individuals employed. The general schedule pay scale was the most common pay scale for this position. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing particularly hired the highest number of employees under the title of Quality Assurance, offering an average salary of $97,591.
23. Senior Data Analyst
Average Salary: $103,648
The senior data analyst utilizes advanced analytical expertise, extracts insights from data, and guides decision-making processes in the organization. They typically possess extensive experience and are responsible for leading data analysis projects, mentoring junior analysts, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of data-driven solutions.
Bloomberg L.P., Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), and Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) are known to offer some of the highest salaries to data analysts in the United States. According to Glassdoor, Bloomberg L.P. provides an average base salary of $101,126 per year, Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) offers an average base salary of $136,269 per year, and Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) provides an average base salary of $102,955 per year.
22. Insurance Broker
Average Salary: $103,765
An insurance broker acts as an intermediary between individuals or businesses seeking insurance coverage and insurance companies and provides expert advice while helping clients select suitable insurance policies that meet their specific needs. They also assist with policy documentation, claims processing, and provide ongoing support and guidance to clients regarding insurance-related matters.
Family First Life is a top company for insurance brokers in the United States with an average salary of $339,795 per year. On the other hand, Procore Technologies Inc (NYSE:PCOR) provides an average salary of $161,221 per year, the second highest in the country.
21. Corporate Lawyer
Average Salary: $105,166
A corporate lawyer specializes in corporate law, providing legal advice and assistance to businesses on matters such as contracts, mergers, acquisitions, compliance, governance, and intellectual property rights. It is one of the most boring high-paying jobs in the world.
20. Chartered Accountant
Average Salary: $107,678
A chartered accountant performs financial audits, provides tax advice, and offers financial management services. The reasons why the job of a chartered accountant in one of the most boring jobs in the world, are the repetitive nature of tasks, extensive regulations, and the focus on meticulous data analysis and compliance with accounting standards.
19. Economist
Average Salary: $109,060
Economists conduct research, develop economic models, and offer recommendations on policies related to areas such as fiscal planning, market trends, and economic development. The extensive use of complex economic models and data analysis, which is repetitive and time-consuming makes the job highly boring for majority. Besides, the focus on research and policy analysis may not appeal to everyone's interests.
18. Compliance Officer
Average Salary: $109,083
Compliance officers are highly valued and in demand due to their expertise in interpreting complex regulations, designing and implementing compliance programs, and conducting internal audits. Industries with stringent regulatory requirements recognize the importance of compliance officers and offer higher compensation packages to attract top talent. Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) stands as a leading choice for compliance officer jobs, with the potential for annual average salaries as roughly high as $150,000.
17. Software Tester
Average Salary: $110,935
A software tester reviews software applications, finds defects, and ensures they work properly. The boredom associated can be attributed to repetitious testing methods and the painstaking attention to detail, as well as working with repetitive settings and predictable outcomes. It is among the most boring jobs that'll pay you over $100,000 on average.
16. Credit Manager
Average Salary: $113,800
The job of the credit manager involves evaluating various factors to determine the likelihood of the clients repaying loans. Moreover, they develop credit scoring models that help predict potential risks. Based on this evaluation, they make informed decisions to either approve or reject loan requests.
15. Wind Energy Operations Manager
Average Salary: $115,590
A wind energy operations manager is in charge of the day-to-day operations and maintenance of wind farms. They navigate schedules, monitor equipment performance, and verify that safety requirements are followed. The recurring nature of monitoring and controlling routine activities, which may require long hours of observation and adherence to rigorous regulations, can make the job seem tedious.
14. Production Manager
Average Salary: $118,083
Among the most boring professions in the world, production management involves overseeing and organizing all areas of the manufacturing or industrial production process. They plan, organize, and control production activities to ensure that operations are efficient, quality standards are met, and production targets are reached.
According to Glassdoor, Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), Meta Platforms, Inc (NASDAQ:META), Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), and Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) are some of the highly rated companies for Product Management Professionals in the US, owing to their high salaries and a progressive work-environment.
13. Computer and Information Research Scientist
Average Salary: $121,163
These scientists research to enhance the field of computer science and develop new technologies. Individuals may find the job tedious simply because of the heavy focus on theoretical and technical components, limited social interaction, and monotonous nature of experimentation and coding. Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) pays one of the highest salaries to these professionals in the US, making it a highly-sought name by the researchers.
12. Project Manager
Average Salary: $123,656
A project manager plans, organizes, and oversees the execution of projects to achieve specific goals and deliverables for their organization. However, the demanding nature of work makes it a highly stressful job.
International Business Machines Corp (NYSE:IBM) offers an ideal environment for project managers due to its innovative programs like the IBM Corporate Service Corps and On Demand Community. These initiatives can provide project managers at International Business Machines Corp (NYSE:IBM) to engage in projects, capitalize on a comprehensive library of resources, and actively fulfill professional development requirements through community service.
11. Construction Manager
Average Salary: $130,025
Construction managers are well compensated because of the high level of responsibility in managing complicated construction projects, coordinating multiple teams, guaranteeing safety and quality, and maintaining budgets. However, the recurring duties and bureaucratic responsibilities in the job can lead to boredom.
