Workplace stress is an inescapable part of professional life, and while all jobs come with their unique pressures, some careers are inherently more stressful than others. The intensity and frequency of stressors vary across professions, influenced by factors such as physical danger, tight deadlines, public scrutiny, and high-stakes decision-making. Understanding these stress levels can be essential for individuals considering career paths or seeking to manage their professional well-being more effectively.
The annual CareerCast.com Jobs Rated report evaluates stress levels across different occupations based on 11 critical factors. These factors include travel, deadlines, working in the public eye, competitiveness, physical demands, environmental conditions, hazards encountered, the life of oneself or others at risk, meeting and interacting with customers and/or the public, and the potential for job growth. By analyzing these elements, CareerCast ranks jobs based on their overall stress levels.
For 2019, the following occupations ranked as the most stressful jobs, demonstrating the highest levels of physical and emotional strain.
The Most Stressful Jobs of 2019
- Enlisted Military Personnel
- Overall Rating: 779
- Median Salary: $26,802
- Stress Score: 72.58
- Projected Growth: 0.00%
- Firefighter
- Overall Rating: 707
- Median Salary: $49,080
- Stress Score: 72.38
- Projected Growth: 7.00%
- Airline Pilot
- Overall Rating: 572
- Median Salary: $111,930
- Stress Score: 61.20
- Projected Growth: 4.00%
- Police Officer
- Overall Rating: 639
- Median Salary: $62,960
- Stress Score: 51.94
- Projected Growth: 7.00%
- Broadcaster
- Overall Rating: 722
- Median Salary: $62,910
- Stress Score: 51.27
- Projected Growth: 0.00%
- Event Coordinator
- Overall Rating: 643
- Median Salary: $48,290
- Stress Score: 51.19
- Projected Growth: 11.00%
- Newspaper Reporter
- Overall Rating: 812
- Median Salary: $43,490
- Stress Score: 49.96
- Projected Growth: -9.00%
- Public Relations Executive
- Overall Rating: 527
- Median Salary: $111,280
- Stress Score: 49.48
- Projected Growth: 10.00%
- Senior Corporate Executive
- Overall Rating: 523
- Median Salary: $104,700
- Stress Score: 48.97
- Projected Growth: 8.00%
- Taxi Driver
- Overall Rating: 520
- Median Salary: $70,400
- Stress Score: 72.58
- Projected Growth: 6.00%
While stress levels are an inherent part of many professions, individuals in these roles often develop strong coping mechanisms to manage their demanding careers. Whether it’s through extensive training, workplace support systems, or personal resilience, those who thrive in high-stress jobs do so with a deep sense of purpose and commitment to their work.
