Biologist Christie Fenton has the best job in the country -- at least according to the latest edition of the "Jobs Rated Almanac" just out. It rates 'biologist' as the best job in the United States. Biologists make on average more than $92,000 a year, and they have the brightest future, sparked in part by completion of the human gene map.

Fenton works for Chiron Corporation in Emeryville. She also mentors students, pushing them to study for science-oriented careers. For years, companies have found it difficult to find talented graduates, particularly women. Fenton hopes being number one will motivate them.

The jobs in the almanac are ranked according to: income, stress, physical demands, potential growth, job security and work environment.

Here's the top and bottom five: after biologist, computer systems analyst; accountant; software engineer, and meteorologist. At the bottom: cowboy, construction worker, seaman, iron worker and cab driver.

Harley Shaiken, Economist, UC Berkeley: "It reminds me of the lists that come out that place Muncie, Indiana as the most desirable place in America to live. Maybe, but that comes to news to people in San Francisco, Seattle and New Orleans."

Labor economist Harley Shaiken takes such lists with a heavy grain of salt. "Overall, there's something missing here, and that's the importance of autonomy in a job. It's built in somewhere in the rankings, but people who have autonomy on the job, who have some creativity, wind up liking that job, whether it's being a cowboy or being a biologist."

The office of President of the U.S. has the fifth highest pay at $400,000, but is ranked 175th because it has the worst work environment and the highest level of stress. Still it seems every politician in the country wants the job.

-- Business Editor Brian Banmiller, KTVU Channel 2 News

Selected list of best and worst jobs: "Jobs Rated Almanac" by Les Krantz (Barricade Books, 333 pages, $14.95):

Best overall job:
No. 1 -- Biologist
No. 2 -- Actuary
No. 3 -- Financial planner
No. 4 -- Computer systems analyst
No. 5 -- Accountant

Worst overall job:
No. 246 -- Seaman
No. 247 -- Ironworker
No. 248 -- Cowboy
No. 249 -- Fisherman
No. 250 -- Lumberjack

Best working environment:
No. 1 -- Statistician
No. 2 -- Mathematician
No. 3 -- Computer systems analyst
No. 4 -- Hospital administrator
No. 5 -- Historian

Worst working environment:
No. 246 -- Taxi driver
No. 247 -- NFL player
No. 248 -- Race car driver
No. 249 -- Firefighter
No. 250 -- President of the United States of America

Best income:
No. 1 -- NBA player ($4,637,825)
No. 2 -- Major League Baseball player ($1,954,400)
No. 3 -- NFL player ($1,836,460)
No. 4 -- Race car driver ($508,569)
No. 5 -- President of the United States ($400,000)

Worst income:
No. 246 (tie) -- Child care worker ($17,077)
No. 246 (tie)-- Maid ($17,077)
No. 248 -- Waiter/Waitress ($16,083)
No. 249 -- Catholic priest ($16,079)
No. 250 -- Dishwasher ($16,046)

Least stress:
No. 1 -- Musical instrument repairer
No. 2 -- Florist
No. 3 -- Medical records technician
No. 4 -- Actuary
No. 5 -- Forklift operator

Most stress:
No. 246 -- Taxi driver
No. 247 -- Race car driver
No. 248 -- Senior corporate executive
No. 249 -- Firefighter
No. 250 -- President of the United States