While the definition of happiness differs from person to person, our jobs and the cities in which we live have a lot to do with our satisfaction.
In a recent report from the job site Indeed, some of the nation’s happiest workers are located in California.
Analyzing over 10 million reviews from current and former employees in the 50 largest metro areas, five out of the top 10 cities are located in the Golden State.
“California remains a strong draw for talent, in part due to the tech industry, so it’s not surprising to see many workers in the state are invested in their jobs and show above-average levels of satisfaction,” said Tara Sinclair, chief economist at Indeed. “That said, happiness at work is often in the eye of the beholder, and the high rankings may also reflect cultural and social attitudes toward work in those cities.”
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With Los Angeles ranking as the top city, the report also reveals a diverse mix of jobs outside the tech space that reflect the city’s stereotypical obsession with superficial glamour. In addition to personal assistant ranking as the happiest job, creative director, production assistant and teaching assistant also came in high ranking.
Nationwide, Indeed found that jobs with a strong focus on helping others ranked high on the satisfaction scale, such as teachers, instructors and childcare providers.
Following Los Angeles on the list, is Miami, San Diego and Providence, Rhode Island. New York and Chicago, which are two of the largest U.S. cities by population, came in at number 19 and 20, respectively.
While Forbes ranked Denver as the best city for business and careers last year, Indeed found the Colorado city to rank last for overall job satisfaction, management, work/life balance and job security. Other cities that ranked poorly include Indianapolis, Louisville, Kentucky, Pittsburgh and Richmond, Virginia.
For a look at Indeed’s full report click here, and be sure to check out the top 10 cities with the happiest workers below.