We spend a huge chunk of our lives at work so it is hardly surprising that take home pay ranks high on our list of priorities. But does the size of your pay packet really matter, especially if you wind up in a dull, humdrum job?

A recent survey by employment specialist Emolument reveals some interesting results. Even though they have the potential to earn a motza, lawyers rank among the most bored professionals in the world, with 81 per cent of law professionals unenthused with their jobs.  The reason for topping the yawn-inducing list? Repeated “dull daily tasks”. Repeated “dull daily tasks”. Repeated “dull daily tasks”.

Next on the dull list are roles in project management, support functions and finance control.  These are closely followed by careers in consulting and accounting, finance and, engineering and sales.

The survey, which interviewed 1300 workers across 14 economies, found the least bored professionals worked in Research and Development, Executive Management and Education.

In a list of “most boring” countries to work in, United Arab Emirates and Italy top the list with 83% of professionals bored with their work. The USA (70%) and Singapore (70%) round out the top four. While Switzerland (51%) is the least boring with around half of employed quizzed, bored with their jobs.

Last year, a Frenchman made headlines after suing his employer because his work was ‘too boring’. Frederic Desnard, 44, claimed he suffered “a descent into hell” as a consequence of being given so little to do in his managerial job at perfume company Interparfums. Despite earning $100,000 a year, he sought compensation of more than $500,000 for being “bored out” at work.

A 2015 Guardian (UK) survey of other global studies highlights that job satisfaction is not necessarily linked to income. It found that Teachers, Gardeners and PA’s were among the happiest workers despite modest remuneration.

Teacher Karina Thompson, on a salary of around $50,000, told The Guardian why her job was so rewarding:

“The lightbulb moments – watching children make leaps in learning,” she said. “There are many laugh out loud moments during the day, and I love the variety and creativity of the job – you can be doing drama in the morning, pretending you are a superhero, then demonstrating gymnastics jumps, then the next lesson is life in Roman Britain.”

For construction worker Hayley Chilton, who earns around $45,000, “working in the fresh air” made his job so enjoyable.

“There is never a dull moment in construction and a lot of satisfaction to be had in creating something from scratch,” he told The Guardian. “Handing over the finished product, especially to a first-time buyer, is incredibly rewarding.”

According to Emolument co-founder and chief operating officer Alice Leguay, interesting work is crucial for retaining staff.

“Boredom at work is a key issue for firms trying to keep millennials engaged, especially in traditional industries such as accounting and legal jobs which can be perceived as dull while employers attempt to give young employees the satisfaction of making an impact in their work life in order to prevent them from moving on too swiftly.”

Cesira Colleluori