Teachers, bankers and accountants might want to rethink their career choices now that new research indicates their jobs are "germier" than others.

Researchers, led by the University of Arizona's Dr. Charles Gerba, recently set out to compare whether some professions are more germ-laden that others.

In the No. 1 spot were teachers, a finding that didn't surprise Gerba's researchers.

"This is clearly one test on which teachers would not like to receive such 'high marks,'" said Gerba. "But then again, when your officemates are children, it is no surprise that classroom surfaces are off the germ charts."

The study, which was funded by The Clorox Company, found that the phones, desks and keyboards regularly used by teachers, accountants and bankers harbor two to 20 times more bacteria per square inch than the same sites used by other professions. Phones ranked as the leading home for office germs, followed by desks, keyboards and computer mice.

The "germiest" jobs, ranked from most germy to least germy, are: teacher, accountant, banker, radio DJ, doctor, television producer, consultant, publicist, lawyer.

Interestingly, accountants had the dirtiest desks and pens, something you may want to think about next time you prepare your taxes. In a change since the researchers first began tracking "Germs in the Workplace" in 2002, bacteria presence on office surfaces overall appears to have decreased, in some cases by nearly five times the initial count, Gerba said.

"We were pleased to find a decrease in bacteria levels. Perhaps people are becoming more aware of germs in their office and doing something about it," said Gerba. As people spend more time at their desks, germs find plenty to snack on. According to a recent American Dietician Association survey, 57 percent of workers snack at their desks at least once a day. More than 75 percent of workers "only occasionally" clean their desks before eating; and 20 percent never do, the survey found.

"Desks are really bacteria cafeterias," said Gerba. "They're breakfast buffets, lunch tables and snack bars, as we spend more and more hours at the office."

Although Gerba's new research measures bacteria level differences among professions, his previous "Germs in the Workplace" studies have looked at the presence of viruses within the workplace. In one study, Gerba and his researchers found that an infected person can leave a trail of viruses on every surface they touch, and viruses can survive on surfaces for up to three days.

Gerba recommends frequent hand-washing and using disinfecting wipes daily on surfaces in your cubicle or office to kill illness-causing germs.

This story provided by StatePoint Media.