What's better? Desk job or non-desk job?
If you ask any school teacher, success is defined as going to college and then getting a job sitting behind a desk. But, is a desk job really the best thing for you and your future?
Career Builder asked 2,095 people who typically work behind a desk and 1,102 people who don't typically work behind a desk about their jobs. Here's what they found out.
There's a bigger chance of a high paycheck sitting behind a desk: People who work desk jobs were twice as likely to be earning six-figure salaries as non-desk job people. While one-third of non desk job holders earned more than $50,000 a year, that figure was one-half for the desk job workers. This discrepancy doesn't mean that a desk job is a guarantee of high salaries. They found:
Earn less than $35,000
- Workers in desk jobs - 20 percent
- Workers in non-desk jobs - 40 percent
Earn $50,000 or more
- Workers in desk jobs - 50 percent
- Workers in non-desk jobs - 32 percent
Earn $100,000 or more
- Workers in desk jobs - 13 percent
- Workers in non-desk jobs - 7 percent
Desk jobs come with annoying co-workers. 86 percent of desk job workers reported annoying coworkers, compared to "only" 62 percent of non-desk job workers. No career path can guarantee blissful interpersonal relationships, but apparently when you can walk away, legitimately, it's easier.
More weight gain comes with desk jobs. 46 percent of desk job workers reported gaining weight since taking their desk job, compared with only 30 percent of non-desk job workers. A majority of workers in both categories (58 percent and 51 percent, respectively) report being overweight. So, if you're looking for weight loss through changing careers, there appears to be no magic fix.
Burnout is slightly more likely in non-desk jobs. While stress levels are pretty equal (30 percent for desk jobs, and 29 percent for non-desk jobs), burnout is slightly higher in non-desk jobs at 61 percent, compared to 57 percent.
Career Builder asked respondents to identify some of the advantages and disadvantages to desk and non desk jobs. Here are their responses:
Advantages: Desk Jobs
Access to technology/Internet - 72 percent
Having a job that is not physically demanding - 60 percent
Having a routine - 59 percent
Ability to communicate with company leaders and peers more easily - 33 percent
Opportunity to build closer relationships with company leaders and peers - 25 percent
Ability to stay in the loop on new developments in the company - 22 percent
Advantages: Non Desk Jobs
Ability to stay more physically active - 68 percent
Variety in their workday - 54 percent
Not being stuck in front of a computer all day - 51 percent
Having more flexibility - 41 percent
Not having to get dressed up to go to work - 39 percent
Not having to deal with office politics - 33 percent
Disadvantages: Desk Jobs
Not enough physical activity - 56 percent
Staring at a computer screen most of the day - 56 percent
Stuck inside most of the day - 51 percent
Doing the same work every day, not enough variety - 24 percent
More distractions/disruptions from co-workers - 23 percent
Disadvantages: Non Desk Jobs
Exhausted from working on my feet all day - 35 percent
More prone to injury or illness - 24 percent
Less recognition for my efforts - 17 percent
Not as informed about new company developments - 15 percent
Less chance for upward mobility - 11 percent
Less face-to-face interaction with leaders and peers - 9 percent
