It’s a wonderful life

Business owners have the highest overall well-being of all occupational groups, followed closely by professionals (including accountants) and managers, according to a 2009 Gallup poll.

The ranking of 11 job categories is based on interviews with more than 100,000 US adults and considers their work environment, basic access to food, shelter and healthcare, emotional health, physical health and healthy behaviour, among other factors.

Despite working longer hours than people in any other occupational category — and earning slightly less than professionals and managers or executives — business owners took the top spot for well-being due to their high level of engagement and job satisfaction. Working long hours is only highly detrimental to well-being for those who are less engaged in their work, the study finds. Manufacturing workers placed last for overall well-being.