A US survey of best and worst jobs puts statisticians in the top five alongside mathematicians, actuaries and software engineers.

The worst job was as a roustabout – oil rig or gas pipeline workers – who routinely work 12 hour shifts in tough conditions, according to the survey.

The survey by online jobs site www.CareerCast.com evaluated 200 professions based on pay, environment, hiring outlook, stress and physical demands using data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Census Bureau and trade association studies.

The top five typically pay more than twice as much as the lowest jobs. The survey evaluated software engineers as having the best jobs, because they enjoy a strong outlook for employment, low stress, few physical demands and good wages.

To determine the amount of stress in a job, for example, the study looked at such factors as whether an employee’s life was at risk or the number of deadlines and travel.

Among the other least desirable jobs are iron worker, lumberjack, roofer and taxi driver.