LONDON, England -- Electrician is the eighth happiest job.  Hairdressers are the happiest workers, while civil servants, social workers and architects are the unhappiest, a new poll shows.

Two out of five hairdressers said they were extremely happy in their job, according to a survey of 1,200 employees by UK qualifications body City & Guilds.

Next in the happiness league were members of the clergy, chefs, beauticians and plumbers. The poll, released Friday, also showed that workers were happier than a year ago.

Vocational workers such as builders, electricians, cooks and hairdressers were happier in their jobs than white collar staff and felt more appreciated in work.

Tradesmen and women also had a better social life at work than white collar employees such as accountants, bankers, estate agents or scientists.

"Nowadays true job satisfaction and happiness is about fulfilling your full potential, tapping into your own creativity and feeling that you can make a difference," says Chris Humphries, director general of City & Guilds.

"More people than ever are swapping their desk-bound jobs for a vocation that enables them to be hands-on, use their brains and be in charge of their own destiny.

"As we spend so much time at work, it's important that we enjoy what we do and build on the skills that we're good at."