Report finds most stressful jobs aren’t always high paying
Demanding schedules and emotionally taxing situations can lead to burnout.
More than half of America’s employees say they’re stressed at work, every day, according to a Gallup poll. Job burnout is a real problem in many American workplaces. Demanding schedules, long hours, high stress and emotionally taxing situations can lead to employee burnout. Though most employees will face stressful moments throughout their careers, some jobs can be more taxing than others.
According to Mental Health America’s Mind the Workplace 2023 Report, workers in unhealthy work environments report higher rates of psychological distress that lead to mental health struggles.
Last year, 81% of workers reported that workplace stress affects their mental health, compared with 78% of respondents in 2021. Another threefourths of workers report workplace stress affects their relationships.
10 most stressful jobs
The Occupational Information Network, or O*NET, part of the Department or Labor, ranked 873 of the most stressful jobs in the nation. The rankings note the importance of accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations in each role.
The jobs don’t just include careers that pay high salaries, including urologists (ranked No. 1) and judges (ranked No. 4). Some pay low median wages, such as retail supervision (No. 9).
Though some positions on O*NET’s ranking require multiple degrees or postgraduate school, the list comprises “many low- and middle-skilled occupations with high levels of stress,” says Sania Khan, chief economist at Eightfold AI.
These 10 jobs require the most stress tolerance from employees:
1. Urologists
Duties: Urologists specialize in conditions affecting the urinary tract, and deal with diseases that affect the reproductive system.
Stress level: 100
Median annual salary: $208,000
2. Film and video editors
Duties: Film and video editors edit moving images on film, video or other media. This position, which includes jobs in television and news editing roles, may work with producers or directors to organize images and soundtracks for final production.
Stress level: 99
Median annual salary: $62,680
3. Anesthesiologist assistants
Duties: These assistants administer anesthesia for surgical and nonsurgical procedures. They also monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.
Stress level: 98
Median annual salary: $121,530
4. Judges and magistrates
Duties: Judges administer justice in a court of law. They may sentence defendants, determine liability of defendant in civil cases, or even perform wedding ceremonies.
Stress level: 98
Median annual salary: $148,030
5. Phone operators
Duties: Phone operators provide information to callers by accessing directories and assisting them with a variety of tasks, such as billing requests, charges, credits or refunds. They may also handle emergency calls and help children or people with physical disabilities make telephone calls.
Stress level: 98
Median annual salary: $37,630
6. Acute care nurses
Duties: These nurses provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions like heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome or shock. They may also care for patients or before and after operations as well as perform advanced, invasive procedures.
Stress level: 98
Median annual salary: $77,600
7. Obstetricians and gynecologists
Duties: Obstetricians and gynecologists give medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth, including diagnosing and treating diseases affecting the reproductive system. They may also perform medical and gynecological surgery, as well as general care to women. Stress level: 97 Median annual salary: $208,000
8. Public safety telecommunicators
Duties: Public safety telecommunicators receive and communicate 911 requests via telephone, radio or another communication system for emergency assistance. They record information regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies and other public safety matters while also giving advice or instructions to callers.
Stress level: 97
Median annual salary: $46,670
9. First-line supervisor of retail sales workers
Duties: These supervisors directly manage and coordinate activities of retail sales workers. On top of obligations as a supervisor, other duties may include purchasing, budgeting and accounting.
Stress level: 96
Median annual salary: $39,230
10. Nurse anesthetists
Duties: These nurses administer anesthesia, monitor patients’ vital signs and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia, possibly in an assistant role to anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians or dentists. They must be registered nurses with specialized graduate education.
Stress level: 96
Median annual salary: $195,610