Pay Grades for Philosophers

The Wall Street Journal released its list of Best and Worst Jobs for 2010, ranked from actuary at #1 (best) to roustabout at #200 (worst).

Philosopher was ranged #11 with a starting salary of $33K, midlevel salary of $60K and top-level salary of $105K. Really? Who is it that pays a philosopher to sit around and think? And what would the measurable acheivements look like on his resume?

• Improved global understanding of the nature of being by 27% in one quarter.
• Developed a proposition that dentified 12% more pathetic fallacies than extant approaches.

By the way, technical writer ranked at #13, between meteorologis and bank officer. And if you're good at what you do and are willing to go freelance, their top-level number doesn't have to be your top-level number.