The Most Overrated Jobs in the U.S.

Perhaps people fancy a life as a high-powered career type with great pay and fantastic benefits. However, some of the best jobs on paper may turn out to be the most overrated jobs in America. A new poll released by CareerCast shows how stress levels may detract from jobs that seem great at first.

The poll's data reveal some of the worst jobs in terms of salary, income growth potential, work environment and job outlook. The most overrated jobs include those with too much pain with too little to gain over the course of a career. Yet these positions may seem desirable until stress levels reach too high.

Advertising Account Executive

An advertising account executive makes approximately $115,750 per year, and projected job growth appears steady at 12 percent per year until 2022. These jobs are great for millennials who love new technology, thrive on social media and analyze sale metrics. Stress levels on this job remain very high due to demands placed on these workers. Advertising account executives must turn abstract ideas into tangible results. When a product line fails to sell, leaders usually fall first.

Architect

The median annual salary for an architect comes in at $73,090, and growth outlook reaches 17 percent until 2022. Volatile economic factors may put hundreds of architects out of jobs until the economy rebounds. Stress levels resulting from uncertainty in the labor market may not make this career worth it.

Attorney

As many as 20 percent of 2010 law school graduates have careers that don't use their degree. Meteoric college costs, coupled with massive student debt, may lead to sky-high stress levels beyond trying to help clients.

Broadcaster

A typical small-market broadcaster only makes $29,790 per year as a median salary, and the job outlook is just 2 percent. The job looks glamorous on camera, but the rewards don't match the glitz of the studio lights. Combined with long hours, a broadcasting job may not be worth it.

Event Coordinator or Event Planner

An event coordinator or event planner represents one of the highest-rated jobs in terms of growth potential and income. However, the stress generated by unhappy brides, mothers of the bride, mothers of the birthday girl and live bands make this job one of the unhappiest in the United States.

Management Consultant

Management consultants also turn abstract ideas into concrete gains for companies. However, when a business fails to meet its goals as prescribed by the consultant, the company doesn't require those services any longer.

Public Relations Manager

A public relations manager presents a company's persona to the public through the media, high-profile events and press releases. When something bad happens, the PR manager must deflect as much criticism as possible before things turn for the worst.

Sales Representatives

Thanks to e-commerce, online sales and an abundance of retailers in the United States, sales representatives face tough times ahead with just 9 percent job growth. With so much competition for every dollar, a sales representative may face seasonal highs and lows.

Stress levels don't make or break a job, but they may make someone question the validity of a career choice. New collegians should think hard about career choices before committing a costly mistake filled with regret.

Photo courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net