A recent Money magazine article
reported what many aspiring academics already know—professor jobs satisfy in terms of pay, stress and satisfaction.

But some of the caveats come across as understatements—especially the analysis that competition for such jobs is “intense” for positions at four-year colleges and universities. The article’s advice in securing a professorship? Don’t rule out two-year colleges and smaller schools. Of course, that means you’ll make far less—as low as 50 percent—than the median pay of $70,400 and you’ll spend more time on teaching and less on research.

Another understatement? That, in a four-year position “you’ll be under pressure to constantly publish new work to sustain career momentum.” The piece fails to mention writing grants to fund your salary and operating costs. Still, it’s good to know that professors find their careers satisfying.

I’d be interested in hearing how existing professors feel about this ranking and what prospective professors feel about their odds right now.