72% of people consider work-life balance when job searching. Yet, the number one reason burned out corporate types come to me for coaching is to gain back their work life balance, and align their work more with who they are.
Work-Life Balance Quickstart Guide
If you're searching for more balance, here's a couple quick tips to get you going, and of course, check out the rest of the article to find some great jobs with better work life balance.
- Start getting weekly work-life design tips by joining The BREAK free community authored by yours truly.
- Polish up your resume. Investing a little money to have a professional resume writing service polish up your resume can be the edge you need. Check out our guide to the best online resume writing services to get started.
- Nail your interview and personal brand skills. Check out The BREAK community's crowdsourced guide to get you started.
- Job search on ZipRecruiter. Of course you want to find a job with work-life balance, and I recommend starting your search on ZipRecruiter which is completely free for job seekers. They are also our #1 recommended job posting site I trust for employers. Find and apply for jobs with a single click!
Discover Your Dream Job Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.
What Is Work-Life Balance?
Work-life balance is about how someone manages their work life and personal life.
If someone has a good work-life balance, they leave work at work and enjoy their personal time where they can spend time with family, friends, and personal interests.
In contrast, someone with poor work-life balance may let their job run their life. They bring work home with them and it spills onto their personal life, impacting them and their relationships with family and friends.
For more information, check out our guide on work-life balance statistics.
Why is Work-Life Balance Important?
Who wants to spend all their free time at work?
Even if you enjoy what you do, practicing good work-life balance habits can help with physical and mental health, lower the chances of work burnout, and have a positive impact on your life, overall.
You’ll have time to spend on personal interests and hobbies, be with family and friends, and spending more time on work with less personal time can:
- Take time away from exercise
- Contribute to unhealthy habits like poor nutrition choices
16 Of Jobs With The Best Work-Life Balance
Some professions are better suited to good work-life balance habits than others. Here are 16 of them, to check out.
1. Dentist
Median National Salary: $159,530/year
Education Required: Doctoral or professional degree
Number of Jobs: 155,000
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 4% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: A dentist is a medical professional that helps patients with their oral health and teeth. Dentists will diagnose and fill cavities, fit crowns and bridges, and more. Dentists work on patients in the dentist’s office.
They can’t take work home with them so, once work is over, it’s over, and returning to personal life can happen.
If you want to become a dentist, check out our guide to creating a dentist resume.
2. Actuary
Median National Salary: $113,990/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 30,000
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 23% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: An actuary is a professional that analyzes risk and financial uncertainty. An actuary’s job duties include using math and statistics to make decisions and assess risk.
This six-figure career field is low stress and can come with a ton of flexibility including working from home and other perks.
If you want to become an actuary, learn what to include on an actuary resume.
3. Data Scientist
Median National Salary: $136,620/year
Education Required: Master’s degree
Number of Jobs: 36,500
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 23% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: A data scientist works in the tech industry. They are data experts and they help companies build actionable plans based on the results of their data modeling. Data scientists use tools including math, statistics, and computer software. They create and model data to help companies make action plans, based on the results.
Data scientists, like many tech experts, can typically work anywhere they have computer and internet access. Work-life balance works here because of the high salary, work flexibility including flexible hours, and remote work options.
If you want a career as a data scientist, read our data scientist resume guide.
4. Software Developer
Median National Salary: $124,200/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree or specialized degree
Number of Jobs: 1,795,300
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 25% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: Software developers build software. They work throughout many phases of the software build process from identifying user needs to testing, maintenance, and more. A software developer:
- Builds and designs computer programs
- Assess user needs and market conditions to create new applications for organizations
Software development lends well to a balanced work and life due to its flexible working conditions which can include remote work options and other perks.
Do you want to be a software developer? Get started by crafting a software developer resume.
5. Physician Assistant
Median National Salary: $126,010/year
Education Required: Master’s degree
Number of Jobs: 148,000
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 27% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: Physician assistants (PAs) are medical professionals that help diagnose and treat patients. They can work in areas like family medicine, psychiatry, and emergency medicine, among other areas. A PA works on a medical team under supervision.
PA’s work to diagnose and treat patients, under the supervision of a doctor. PA’s work in medical facilities like a hospital or medical practices. They treat patients out of this location and once their work shift ends, there’s no way they can bring work home with them since patients are seen and treated at their workplace only. This is perfect for clearly defining the boundaries of work and personal life.
Do you want to become a PA? Learn how to craft a physician assistant resume.
6. Nail Technician
Median National Salary: $31,130/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 1196,900
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 9% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: A nail technician works in the beauty industry. They provide manicure and pedicure services to their clients. Nail technicians provide manicure and pedicure services including: cleaning, shaping, painting, and maintaining fingernails and toenails.
This job is great for work-life balance because it’s virtually impossible to take work home. Nail techs aren’t going to have their clients come to their homes to provide services. They work out of a nail salon and once their shift ends, they leave work behind and can return home.
7. Hairdresser
Median National Salary: $33,400/year
Education Required: High school diploma and cosmetology license
Number of Jobs: 618,900
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 18% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: A hairdresser or hair stylist provides hair styling, hair cutting, and maintenance services to clients. Hairdressers provide beauty services like: hair cutting and styling.
This is one of the best jobs for work-life balance because once work is done, it’s done. You can’t take work home with you as a hairdresser. Other perks of working in this industry are the ability to work when you want, choose your days off, and vacation time.
8. Orthodontist
Median National Salary: $323,587/year
Education Required: Doctoral or professional degree
Number of Jobs: 155,000
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Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 4% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: Orthodontists are specialized dentists. They work on jaw and teeth issues providing services to correct bite and improve the straightness of teeth. They fit patients for braces, and aligners, and fix teeth crowding, overbites, underbites, and other dental conditions.
They share the same work-life balance benefits as dentists. Work stays in the workplace and can’t be taken home.
If you want to be a dentist, learn how to craft your dentist resume.
9. Personal Trainer
Median National Salary: $45,380/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 329,500
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 14% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: Personal trainers help their clients with exercise routines. They work in gyms and in places conducive to exercise activities like sports tracks, etc.
Personal trainers can’t have their work life spill onto their personal life. They’re not taking their clients home with them so work ends in the workplace and they can truly relax and enjoy their personal time at home.
If becoming a personal trainer is your goal, start by creating a personal trainer resume.
10. Pest Control Exterminator
Median National Salary: $38,310/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 95,000
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 3% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: Pest control exterminators get rid of pests like insects and rodents. Pest control exterminators treat areas like buildings, residential properties, fields, and lawns to control pests.
This job is good for work-life balance because it’s impossible to take this kind of work home with you. It can’t leak into your personal life like some other jobs.
11. Dental Hygienist
Median National Salary: $81,400/year
Education Required: Associate’s degree
Number of Jobs: 219,400
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 7% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: Dental hygienists work alongside dentists to provide oral care to patients including teeth cleaning and assisting the dentist during office visits.
This career is good for work-life balance because work is limited to the dental office, where patient work is done.
If you see a future as a dental hygienist, start working on your dental hygiene resume.
12. Web Designer
Median National Salary: $80,730/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 216,700
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 26% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: Web designers create web pages. They are responsible for designing the appearance, layout, and functionality of the website.
Web design is great for work-life balance because it’s a high-paying career that can be done part-time or full-time. While many web design jobs require a bachelor’s degree as a minimum requirement, many jobs do not and rely solely on the experience of a designer as the main gauge for hiring.
There’s an opportunity for remote work and this is a job that can transition to self-employment pretty easily, giving web designers even more independence and flexibility.
The job duties of a web designer include meeting with clients to discuss the project scope, and creating, developing, and maintaining websites.
For more information, check out our web designer job description and learn how to create a web designer resume.
13. Copy Editor
Median National Salary: $73,080/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 122,100
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: -4% (Decline)
Job Duties: Editors are responsible for making changes to documents produced by writers. Editors take unedited drafts and apply changes related to readability, punctuation, and grammar. They have a very important role in the publishing process.
Copy editing is a job with a strong work-life balance because of the flexible schedule, remote work options, and other benefits. For more details, learn how to create a copy editor resume.
14. Marketing Manager
Median National Salary: $138,730/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 389,000
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 6% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: Marketing managers prepare marketing materials and execute marketing campaigns for the organization. Marketing managers may work independently or lead a team of marketers in carrying out the marketing plans.
Some of their job duties might include:
- Creating and implementing the company’s marketing strategy
- Leading the marketing team
This job is good for work-life balance because of the opportunity for a flexible schedule and remote work options.
For more information, check out our marketing manager job description and our marketing manager resume guide.
For other career ideas, explore our guide to the best marketing careers.
15. Financial Advisor
Median National Salary: $95,390/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 327,600
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 13% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: Financial advisors help people with financial planning which can include money management, tax planning, estate planning, savings, and debt management/payoff.
Financial advisors work one-on-one with clients to help them financially prepare for the future.
Some of their job duties might include:
- Financial analysis and planning
- Investment advice
- Tax planning
- Estate planning
If you want to work as a financial advisor, take the first step by updating your resume. Learn how in our guide to writing a financial advisor resume.
16. Financial Operations Analyst
Median National Salary: $96,220/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 376,100
Job Growth 2021 – 2031: 8% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: Financial advisors help people with financial planning which can include money management, tax planning, estate planning, savings, and debt management/payoff.
Financial operations analysts help guide companies on their financial decision making.
Some of their job duties might include:
- Financial analysis and planning
- Reporting
- Providing financial recommendations
Benefits Of Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance can have some notable benefits, which is one of the reasons why more employees are seeking strong work-life balance during their job search.
Many workers may have experienced work-life balance problems sometime during their career. 77% of full-time workers experienced burnout, according to this source. And, burnout can be a direct result of poor work-life balance.
Here’s what you can gain from having work and personal life in balance:
- Increased productivity
- Greater flexibility and adaptability
- Personal growth and development
- Greater job satisfaction
- Reduced burnout and stress
- Improved work performance
- Becoming a role model for others
- Greater overall well-being
Top Industries For Work-Life Balance
According to this survey, these industries are the best for achieving work-life balance:
- Finance
- Education
- Architecture
- Engineering
These four industries landed at the top of the list due to contributing factors like job satisfaction, highest average salary and average weekly working hours (around 35 hours/week for finance and insurance, for example).
A higher salary and less hours at the office makes employees happier and leads to less burnout.
Having a strong work-life balance benefits everyone. Employees are happier, they perform better at work, and feel better. Employers get higher-performing, happier employees, which can translate to lower employee turnover rates.
Remote Work-Life Balance
Since COVID, remote jobs have been on the rise. Even as the world starts to return back to normality, with more workers going back to the office, the global workforce has been permanently changed, and for the better.
This survey revealed that:
- 64% of workers say they can work remotely now, at least part of the time, which wasn’t the case before COVID
- 44% of workers said that working from home helps them get their work done and makes it easier to meet deadlines
- Employees report that working from home makes it easier to balance work and their personal life
- 60% of workers who can work from home say after the pandemic ends, if they have a choice, they’d want to work from home most of the time
Best Places To Find Jobs With Work-Life Balance
These job posting sites can help you find jobs online. When you find and apply for jobs, remember to come equipped with a professional resume.
For resume help, we’ve reviewed the best resume writing services, which you can use to save time and prepare a high-quality, polished resume for your job application.
Now, here are some of our top picks for job search websites to find the best jobs for good work-life balance.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is a job search website to help you find jobs online. Their easy-to-use job search tool is intuitive and lets you search jobs, and salaries, and read reviews.
To learn more, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
Discover Your Dream Job Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.
Indeed
Indeed is an online job search engine. You can search for thousands of jobs on Indeed. It’s free to use and has a simple navigation-friendly layout.
To learn more, check out our Indeed review.
SimplyHired
SimplyHired is a free job search tool that lets you search jobs online across the U.S. Their job search filters let you filter by job category, employer and more so you can find the right job that’s a perfect fit for you.
Head to SimplyHired to get started.
The Bottom Line
It can be tough to find the best jobs with work-life balance. Work-life balance is important and it’s a critical part of job happiness. Start your job search today by heading to ZipRecruiter.
