Business Notes JOBS

Les Krantz sure knows how to dash a childhood dream. He is editor of The Jobs Rated Almanac (World Almanac; $14.95), a new book ranking 250 professions by such criteria as salary, security, stress, outlook and work conditions. Krantz downgrades jobs that look best to kids, putting garbage collector (No. 226) ahead of dancer (240), football player (241) and cowboy (242). Last on the list: migrant farm worker (250). At No. 1 is a job that few children even know about: actuary.

Krantz insists that his findings are not that surprising. Actuaries, who set insurance premiums based on statistical risks, have secure, relatively stress- free jobs but are well paid (average salary: $45,780). But actors (220) spend most of their time auditioning for parts they do not get, while fire fighters (210) work impossibly long hours. President of the U.S.? "Has no future," says Krantz, who therefore left that job off the list.