Workplace stress is an inevitable part of professional life, but some careers come with significantly higher levels of pressure, risk, and unpredictability than others. From tight deadlines to hazardous conditions, various factors contribute to workplace stress, making certain jobs much more demanding than others.
To accurately measure job-related stress, our 2016 Jobs Rated Report examined 11 key stress factors that impact professionals in a wide range of industries. These factors were carefully selected based on their ability to influence emotional, physical, and mental strain in the workplace. Each job was scored according to the extent that these factors play a role in daily work responsibilities. The final stress rankings were determined based on a weighted scoring system, where jobs with higher cumulative stress points were deemed more stressful than those with lower scores.
Understanding the 11 Stress Factors
Each job was evaluated based on 11 critical factors that influence stress levels. The more a job involves these elements, the higher its overall stress ranking.
- Travel Requirements (0-10 points)
- Jobs that require frequent travel, such as airline pilots, reporters, and sales executives, often result in increased stress. Constantly being on the move can lead to exhaustion, disruption of personal life, and difficulty maintaining a work-life balance.
- Jobs with minimal or no travel, such as librarians or software engineers, scored lower in this category.
- Growth Potential (Income ÷ 100)
- The level of career advancement and earning potential was considered an essential stress factor.
- While high salaries can be rewarding, they often come with greater expectations, accountability, and pressure to perform.
- This factor was measured by dividing the median annual income of a job by 100, allowing for a scalable ranking of financial growth expectations.
- Deadlines (0-9 points)
- The intensity and frequency of deadlines significantly contribute to workplace stress.
- Journalists, event coordinators, and corporate executives often work under strict, high-pressure deadlines, increasing their stress scores.
- In contrast, professions with more flexible timeframes, such as forestry professionals or medical laboratory technicians, received lower scores.
- Working in the Public Eye (0-5 points)
- Exposure to public scrutiny can elevate stress levels, particularly for professionals like broadcasters, actors, politicians, and public relations executives.
- The pressure of public perception, maintaining a strong professional image, and dealing with criticism were all factored into this category.
- Competitiveness (0-15 points)
- Some professions demand an intense level of competition, either for career advancement or achieving success in a results-driven environment.
- Sales professionals, financial analysts, and attorneys often face fierce competition, leading to high stress.
- Lower-stress jobs, such as archivists or medical records technicians, typically lack the cutthroat nature of highly competitive industries.
- Physical Demands (0-14 points)
- Jobs that require heavy lifting, long hours on foot, or strenuous activities scored higher in this category.
- Construction workers, firefighters, and paramedics deal with extreme physical exertion, making their jobs more stressful.
- Sedentary roles, such as actuaries or technical writers, scored lower due to minimal physical strain.
- Environmental Conditions (0-13 points)
- Exposure to harsh weather, extreme temperatures, or dangerous work environments significantly increases stress.
- Jobs in agriculture, firefighting, and law enforcement often involve unpredictable environmental conditions, earning them higher scores.
- Hazards Encountered (0-5 points)
- Certain jobs come with a high risk of injury or exposure to hazardous substances, including miners, electricians, and construction workers.
- Office-based professions, such as marketing analysts or software developers, scored lower in this category.
- Risk to Own Life (0-8 points)
- Some careers inherently place workers in life-threatening situations, particularly military personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement officers.
- These professionals regularly face dangerous scenarios, increasing their overall stress scores.
- Risk to Another’s Life (0-10 points)
- Certain professions involve making critical, life-altering decisions that impact others.
- Surgeons, emergency medical technicians, and air traffic controllers bear enormous responsibility for the well-being of others, resulting in higher stress levels.
- Meeting the Public (0-8 points)
- Frequent interaction with customers, clients, or the general public can be stressful, especially in roles requiring conflict resolution or customer service.
- Jobs that require diplomacy, negotiation, or de-escalation—such as police officers and customer service representatives—ranked higher in this category.
The Science Behind the Rankings
To determine a job’s overall stress score, points were assigned for each of the 11 categories, with higher scores given to professions that face frequent exposure to multiple stress factors. The cumulative total determined how stressful each job ranked in comparison to others.
Professions that scored the highest across multiple categories—such as military personnel, firefighters, airline pilots, and public relations executives—ranked as the most stressful. Conversely, jobs with minimal exposure to stress-inducing factors—such as medical records technicians, librarians, and actuaries—ranked among the least stressful.
Key Findings from the 2016 Report
- High-risk jobs that involve life-threatening situations, critical decision-making, and extreme environments consistently ranked among the most stressful.
- Public-facing careers that require frequent interaction, crisis management, or intense competition also scored high on stress levels.
- Office-based roles that provide stability, minimal hazards, and limited public exposure tended to rank lower in stress.
- Advancements in technology have contributed to stress in certain industries, particularly for jobs with evolving market demands and automation concerns.
Final Thoughts: The Role of Stress in Career Choices
While high-stress jobs often come with significant rewards—such as financial incentives, career prestige, or personal fulfillment—they also demand greater resilience and adaptability. Professionals in these roles must develop effective stress management techniques to maintain productivity and mental well-being.
On the other hand, low-stress careers offer a stable work environment, reduced pressure, and predictable schedules, making them attractive to those who prioritize work-life balance.
Ultimately, choosing a career should involve a careful evaluation of one’s skills, interests, and tolerance for stress. Understanding the factors that contribute to workplace pressure can help professionals make informed decisions about their career paths and long-term job satisfaction.
