Praveen Gandhi has one of the best jobs in India. That’s according to his own rating. For nearly a decade, he had one of the worst jobs in India, again by his own rating. He was an investment banker. He made a lot of money. And now he lives in a small town, running a library that he has set up largely with his own resources. He has everything he has ever wanted.

The average Indian is quite happy with his job, though recent surveys show a degree of dissatisfaction setting in. What is happening today is that there are too many options. And once you start comparing, you will inevitably feel short-changed.

CareerCast has just come out with its 2012 list of best (and worst) Jobs in America (see box). At rank 200 is the lumberjack. We don’t have much call for that profession here; India is much more environmentally conscious than the US. (In the villages, when a girl is born, the father plants a tree. When she reaches marriageable age, the tree can be cut down for its timber and provide for her dowry.) If you go beyond the CareerCast list and tune in to the comments (people like to write comments; nobody likes to read them), you will find that several lumberjacks have expressed themselves. The normal reaction is “What’s wrong with my job; I love it”.

If you look closely at the list, you will find that the worst jobs are those that are physically dangerous and pay comparatively less. (This includes newspaper reporters; mind you, not sub-editors.) But there are people who enjoy danger. How many of us never consider wildlife photography as a profession because we don’t see any way we can make a living out of it? People are more worried about where they will get their next bite than by being bitten by a tiger. What are the best jobs in India? Everyone has his own list. Crocodile hunting may give you thrills, but how many people can take that line? In the end, it comes down to the same 3S principle — salary, safety and success.

Private jobs hub, an educational portal with job postings, has a list. It is more about professions than jobs. Even before starting the selection, the site makes it clear that these are jobs that are highly paid; salary equals satisfaction. The list is from the site; the comments are our own.

Management: The best managers don’t manage

Software Industry: Everybody wants IT

Chartered accountants: Money men

Consultants: Fly by day

Doctors: Healthy for the pocketbook

Banking: At the private sector end, there's millions to be made. At the public sector end, your job is safe for life

Lawyers: Growing corruption requires more lawyers

Aviation: Pilots fly high

Marketing and Advertising: The sizzle is becoming more important than the steak

Real estate: Landed gentry

ChilliBreeze has this rather pious list:

Doctor: Gives you contentment of soul and also money

Government job: Clear rules, job security, pension money

MNC IT company: At par with government offices because of the privileges they provide. One can continue in the same company for several years

Own a grocery. Going forward it can even turn into a supermarket

Catering food to offices: Booming

Air-hostess: Very enjoyable Really? The amorous drunk on his third free peg adds to the fun, I suppose

Army: This is also a government job, but of a different type. One can get to stay in the quarters provided by the Army and thus have a good home and hearth

Run a hotel: People in India keep travelling

There’s more, but you get the drift. The people who make best jobs lists are sometimes as peculiar as the jobs they suggest. Try visiting a career consultant and you’ll find a similar mishmash. The best job is the one you really want to do. Some are impossible because you don’t have the opportunity or the talent. But if money is the only consideration, go for it; you’ll find some way to make ends meet.

Best jobs of 2012

Software Engineer

Researches, designs, develops and maintains software systems

Overall Score: 176

Actuary

Interprets statistics to determine probabilities of accidents, sickness, and death, and loss of property from theft and natural disasters

Overall Score: 226

Human Resources Manager

Plans, directs, and co-ordinates all human resource activities and staff of an organisation

Overall Score: 281

Dental Hygienist

Assists dentists in diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

Overall Score: 289

Financial Planner

Related to careers in portfolio management, the financial planner offers a range of services aimed at assisting individuals in planning their financial future

Overall Score: 300