The last several years have seen the walls come down in offices across America, heralding the era of right-up-in-your-business open offices where you get to rub elbows (literally) with your co-workers, when you’re not at the office foosball table, the department happy hour or the cross-functional basketball game. Somewhere along the line, we were led to believe that those things attract young, vibrant employees.
Weird, then, that a study by Oxford Economics discovered that one of most important things the workplace could offer is peace and quiet. You read that right. The ability to focus and work without interruptions” was ranked in the top three concerns among workers of all ages. Millennial respondents made up half the non-management participants and were “more likely to say noise distracts them from work, and in general are more annoyed by ambient noises in the office.” And all those fun-filled amenities? Well, only 7% ranked them as similarly important.
Using Monster data, we found 10 careers that feature a relatively quiet work environment. These jobs typically involve working with numbers, data or papers—none of which talk back.
Accountant
What you’d do: Accountants deal with financial records and prepare reports to explain their findings to managers or individual clients. Specialization is not uncommon for accountants, as some focus on specific types of services, such as risk management or assurance, or specific industries, such as health care.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is usually a minimum, and certification in a specific subfield may be required. View this sample resume for an accountant.
Where you’d work: Accountants work in offices or at home. They mostly work alone, but some travel to their clients’ places of business or work on teams with other accountants.
Median annual salary for an accountant : $68,475
Find accountant jobs on Monster.
Archivist
What you’d do: Archivists are responsible for appraising, processing, cataloging and preserving permanent records and historically valuable documents. They can work with manuscripts, photographs, maps or motion pictures. Some specialize in a specific historical era for a better understanding of the records they deal with.
What you’d need: A master’s degree in a related area is a typical minimum.
Where you’d work: Most archivists work in museums. They often work behind the scenes, but some interact with the public to help coordinate outreach programs.
Median annual salary for an archivist : $55,710
Find archivist jobs on Monster.
Computer Programmer
What you’d do: Programmers implement designs created by software engineers and developers and write code. They also test the code to make sure programs run properly.
What you’d need: An associate or bachelor’s degree in computer science is a common starting point. Skill with multiple programming languages is usually expected. View this sample resume for a computer programmer.
Where you’d work: Computer programmers usually work in an office, or they telecommute.
Median annual salary for a computer programmer : $66,533
Find computer programmer jobs on Monster.
Drafter
What you’d do: Drafters convert architectural or engineering designs into technical drawings, often by using computer-aided software. They usually specialize in one area, and can draft items ranging from microchips to skyscrapers, making slight changes throughout the process to ensure a detailed rendering.
What you’d need: Specialized training, often available from a technical school or with an associate degree in the field, is required.
Where you’d work: Drafters typically work in an office with access to a computer. Some may go into the field to work more closely with architects and engineers.
Media hourly salary for a drafter : $24.75
Find drafter jobs on Monster.
Funeral Director
What you’d do: Funeral directors help the family and friends of the deceased make funeral decisions, plan and arrange the ceremony, and are in charge of filing proper documents with state officials. Funeral service workers must be knowledgeable about different religions and their practices, as this can affect the type of service a family will decide on for a loved one.
What you’d need: An associate degree in a field such as mortuary science is typically required, and all states other than Colorado require licensing.
Where you’d work: At a funeral home; some funeral directors may operate a crematory or cemetery on the premises.
Media annual salary for a funeral director : $70,747
Find funeral director jobs on Monster.
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Jeweler
What you’d do: A jeweler’s main tasks are to design, manufacture and sell jewelry, but they also repair and appraise gems and jewelry. Computer-aided design has become a big component of jewelry-making, as it cuts down the cost and time usually required to produce quality accessories.
What you’d need: There are few formal education requirements beyond a high-school diploma, with on-the-job training being the bigger factor for this field.
Where you’d work: Some jewelers work in stores, performing repairs and creating custom designs, while others work from home.
Median annual salary for a jeweler : $46,491
Find jeweler jobs on Monster.
Lab Technician
What you’d do: Lab technicians perform tests and procedures to analyze bodily fluids for any abnormalities. They can specialize in a particular area; for example, the immune system, bacteria and microorganisms, or the collection of blood. Lab technicians play a crucial role in detecting medical problems and informing physicians of findings to pave the way for treatment.
What you’d need: An associate degree or postsecondary certificate may be enough in some cases, but medical lab technicians usually will need at least a bachelor’s degree. Licensing is required in some states. View this sample resume for a lab technician.
Where you’d work: Many lab technicians work in hospitals or independent laboratories. Their work can be needed around the clock.
Median annual salary for a lab tech : $50,178
Find lab technician jobs on Monster.
Librarian
What you’d do: Librarians in smaller locations are usually tasked with helping patrons, planning programs, organizing and maintaining books, choosing new materials and library operations and staff management. In larger locations, they are more likely to focus on one area, such as user, technical or administrative services.
What you’d need: A master’s degree in library science is a common base requirement, and some positions may require a teaching certificate or an additional degree in another field. View this sample cover letter for a librarian.
Where you’d work: Librarians can work in public, academic or medical libraries. But no matter the type, most librarians spend their workdays on the floor, behind the circulation desk or in offices.
Median annual salary for a librarian : $59,472
Find librarian jobs on Monster.
Market Research Analyst
What you’d do: Market research analysts provide insight on consumers’ reactions to products, and they often convert data into easily understandable forms such as graphs and charts. Their research helps companies see where they stand in the marketplace and how to better target their audience.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree is a common starting point, and a master’s may be required. Math and analytical skills are necessary.
Where you’d work: Market research analysts are employed in many industries and typically work alone.
Median annual salary for a market research analyst : $75,198
Find market research analyst jobs on Monster.
Writer
What you’d do: Writers create content for books, advertisem*nts, scripts, blogs, magazines, etc. They use facts and reliable sources to establish credibility in nonfiction works. In fiction and nonfiction writing, they work with editors to revise and rephrase their work to organize material in the clearest possible way.
What you’d need: Self-employment comes with no formal requirements, but a publishing house will likely require a bachelor’s degree in a field such as English, journalism or communications.
Where you’d work: Many writers are self-employed, which means they work in their own homes. Some travel to meet with publishers and clients, or to conduct research or in-person interviews.
Median hourly salary for a writer : $29.88
Find writer jobs on Monster.
Make Some Noise to Get a Job
Before you can roll up your sleeves and get to work in a blissfully quiet setting, you need to rattle a few cages—of hiring managers, that is. Meaning, you need to get noticed if you have any chance of getting hired. Want some help with that? Create a free profile on Monster to get connected to awesome jobs. After all, your skills and experience are worth shouting about.
