Stressful jobs usually involve making decisions regarding other people’s well-being and safety, following tight deadlines, and navigating delicate situations. They span various fields, from healthcare and emergency services to social work.
Given the nature of such careers, individuals in these roles often face both emotional and physical strain. Needless to say, this makes stress management essential for long-term success and well-being.
In this article, we’ll list the most stressful jobs in the world, highlighting the unique challenges and demands of each profession. Additionally, we’ll offer a few helpful tips on how to deal with the pressure they entail. Let’s begin!
Key Takeaways
The most stressful jobs include several healthcare roles, such as surgeon, physician, and nurse, as well as public service professions.
The least stressful jobs are those involving a relaxed work environment and no tight deadlines, such as hairstylist, massage therapist, and librarian.
Some of the effects of prolonged stress at work are high blood pressure, irritability, insomnia, and head and stomach aches.
The best ways to manage stress at work include setting boundaries, managing time, and adopting healthy coping mechanisms.
Whether you aspire toward a high-stress job or a low-stress one, a cover letter and resume builder help you highlight the relevant skills and experience with minimum effort.
9+ Most Stressful Jobs & Their Salaries Revealed
Stressful jobs usually involve roles that have to do with people’s physical and mental health, public safety, and tight deadlines. Therefore, they’re typically found in healthcare, civil service, counseling, and the legal field.
Without further ado, here are the top ten stressful jobs ranked from the highest-paid to the lowest-paid ones:
#1. Surgeon
Depending on their specialization, surgeons operate on people with broken bones, damaged organs, or complex medical conditions. They’re also responsible for pre-surgery preparations and overseeing post-surgery treatment to reduce the risk of complications during and after the procedure.
Needless to say, even the smallest mistake or lapse in focus on a surgeon’s part can have severe consequences for their patients. In the worst-case scenario, the outcome can be fatal, which is why surgeons are under high stress almost daily.
Given the nature of their job, it’s unsurprising that surgeons are among the highest-paid professions in the U.S., with an average annual salary of $239,200.
#2. Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists are medical professionals who prescribe and administer anesthetics to people with chronic pain, terminal illnesses, or those about to have surgery. They also monitor patients’ health during medical procedures and adjust the amount of pain-relieving medications accordingly.
Their job calls for continuous focus, vigilance, and precision because the medications they handle have precise prescription requirements. Not to mention, patients’ reactions to anesthetics vary and are unpredictable. With all that in mind, an anesthesiologist’s mistake can paralyze a patient, put them in a coma, or have a fatal outcome.
As for their median annual salary, it reflects the pressure they’re under, matching that of surgeons at $239,200.
#3. Physician
A physician, also known as the primary care doctor, is the first person people turn to when they experience health issues. They treat different conditions, including injuries and diseases, and collaborate with other medical professionals in clinics, hospitals, and doctor’s offices.
As frontline healthcare workers, physicians have demanding schedules, often working long hours due to heavy workloads. They must combine their critical thinking and problem-solving skills with medical knowledge to accurately diagnose conditions and point patients to appropriate specialists when necessary.
Juggling all these responsibilities on a daily basis makes being a physician one of the most stressful professions. However, the salary, comparable to those of surgeons and anesthesiologists ($239,200), reflects the extensive expertise and dedication the role requires.
#4. Lawyer
Depending on the area of law they practice, lawyers deal with different types of clients, cases, and challenges. In general, they represent individuals and businesses in court, help draft legal policies, and offer consultancy services.
Although they have one of the highest-paying jobs in the USA, with an average annual income of $145,760, lawyers also face a lot of stress. High-stakes cases, client demands, and long hours at the office all amount to significant pressure, often leading to burnout and work-related anxiety.
#5. Nurse
Nurses have a highly important role in healthcare as they provide essential care, monitor patients, and support them through their recovery. This is also part of the reason why they have a high median salary, making $86,070 annually.
Given their numerous responsibilities, nurses often work irregular hours—in fact, it’s not uncommon for them to have to come in on short notice. Coupled with exposure to people’s sufferings, this makes nursing one of the most stressful jobs in the medical field.
Still, it’s also one of the most rewarding career paths. If you’re aspiring to pursue it, a well-crafted nurse resume and a compelling nursing cover letter are essential.
#6. Police Officer
Working as a police officer is considered one of the most stressful jobs in America, as these individuals face daily threats arising from crime and violence. In fact, given their duty to protect communities and prevent illegal activities, police officers often put their lives on the line, risking injury or death on the job.
When applying for such a demanding role, a strong police officer resume and cover letter are essential, highlighting relevant experience, training, and skills. In return for their hard work and risk-taking, police officers earn an average of $74,910 a year, though their salaries can vary depending on location, experience, and rank.
#7. Social Worker
Like mental health counseling, social work is a rewarding career path. These professionals provide assistance and support to disadvantaged members of society, promoting social development.
That said, witnessing abuse, addiction, and homelessness is bound to impact social workers emotionally. The challenging and often overwhelming nature of their work makes this profession one of the most stressful in the helping fields.
For this reason, a social worker's resume must highlight the ability to manage high-pressure situations and demonstrate emotional resilience. Regarding the salary, social workers earn $58,380 a year on average.
#8. Firefighter
As their title suggests, firefighters are primarily responsible for responding to fire-related incidents. However, their duties extend beyond that, encompassing other emergencies, such as floods, accidents, chemical spills, and building collapses.
Their quick reactions, decisive actions, and similar firefighter skills play a critical role in rescuing people and protecting properties during crises.
For this reason, listing relevant experience and knowledge on a firefighter cover letter and resume is essential to showcase readiness for the role. On average, firefighters make around $57,120 annually, although their earnings may differ based on rank, experience, and location.
#9. Mental Health Counselor
The job of a mental health counselor is deeply rewarding, as it involves helping people have healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives. That said, it’s also incredibly demanding and stressful for the same reason—dealing with others’ trauma, grief, and emotional distress can take a toll on the counselor’s own mental well-being.
Moreover, being responsible for guiding someone through their struggles and offering the support they need adds another layer of pressure to the role. This especially goes for counselors whose clients have suicidal thoughts and showcase signs of other high-risk behaviors.
Despite the challenges, this job has a positive outlook—it’s expected to grow in employment by 19%. As for the average salary, mental health counselors earn $53,710 a year.
#10. Paramedic
If a physician is a frontline healthcare worker, a paramedic is the first responder in medical emergencies, providing critical care before patients reach the hospital. Their job is to evaluate the condition of those in need of urgent medical help, stabilize them, and transport them to appropriate facilities for further treatment.
One of the core paramedic skills is time management—these people often need to make split-second decisions that can mean the difference between life and death. Combined with witnessing trauma almost every day, this puts first responders’ jobs among the most stressful careers.
However, unlike some other medical professionals, paramedics typically undergo specialized training instead of attending medical school. This is why they earn less than physicians and surgeons—$44,780 a year on average.
The Least Stressful Jobs
The least stressful jobs are those that don’t involve a sense of urgency that comes with certain healthcare and public service professions. They’re much slower-paced, allowing for more work-life balance.
With that in mind, here are some of the least stressful jobs for women and men alike:
Low-Stress Jobs
Hairstylist: This is a creative job where you can enjoy a flexible schedule and low-stress interactions with clients.
Massage therapist: In addition to offering flexible hours, this job involves helping people relax in a calm, quiet environment.
Librarian: Being surrounded by books in a peaceful, organized environment while helping visitors find resources makes this role stress-free.
Data entry specialist: This career involves independent work under minimal pressure and with no tight deadlines or high-stakes decisions.
Landscaper: Spending time outdoors, creating beautiful green spaces, staying active, and enjoying nature are the perks of this profession.
Web developer: This job offers a good balance between creativity and structure and often allows for remote work.
Occupational therapist: Although this is a role in healthcare, it offers rewarding work with manageable stress levels.
Art director: Leading artistic projects and having creative freedom in a collaborative environment make this an enjoyable, low-stress job.
Orthodontist: With predictable hours and no medical emergencies, this career offers stability and a relaxed work environment.
Fitness workers: Staying active in an upbeat, low-pressure environment is both stress-relieving and energizing.
The Effects of Prolonged Stress at Work
The effects of prolonged stress at work can be both emotional and physical. When you’re under a lot of pressure every day, you may start noticing some of the following symptoms over time:
Workplace Stress Effects
Irritability: Constant stress can leave you feeling on edge, making even the smallest inconveniences frustrating and affecting your daily interactions.
Insomnia and tiredness: Racing thoughts and the leftover anxiety from work can make it hard to sleep even when you’re incredibly tired.
Head and stomach aches: Tension and stress hormones can trigger frequent headaches, nausea, and digestive discomfort.
High blood pressure: Chronic stress forces your heart to work harder, increasing blood pressure in the long run.
Heartburn: Stress can disrupt digestion and increase stomach acid, leading to frequent heartburn, especially after eating.
Problems concentrating: Stress overloads your brain, making it difficult to stay focused, remember and process information, and complete daily tasks.
Weaker immune function: Long-term stress weakens your body’s defense system, making you more vulnerable to colds, infections, and illnesses.
Weight gain: Stress slows metabolism and triggers cravings for unhealthy foods, often resulting in unwanted weight gain.
3 Pro Tips for Managing Stress at Work
Managing stress at work is essential for your physical and mental well-being. However rewarding your job may be, you need to prioritize self-care.
Here are some tips on how you can do it:
#1. Set Boundaries
No matter how demanding your job is, you need to learn not to bring it home. This may be challenging in this day and age, with constant notifications on our smartphones reminding us of work yet to be done. The challenge amplifies for those who work from home, making it hard to separate professional and personal time.
Still, there are some things you can do to ensure a healthy work-life balance. For example, you can take off your work email from your phone or schedule notifications to turn off when you clock out for the day.
#2. Learn How to Manage Your Time
It’s normal to be frustrated about a long to-do list. Still, trying to finish all the tasks at once can only lead to burnout. Instead of overworking yourself, you can break down your projects into smaller, more manageable assignments.
Then, rank them by priority—take on the most urgent ones right away and divide the rest among the following days to maintain a steady workflow without feeling overwhelmed. This way, you can stay productive without the risk of burnout.
#3. Adopt Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Many people tend to look for a quick fix after a stressful day on the job. Whether your choice is fast food or alcohol, it will only relieve the tension for the time being instead of solving the issue in the long run. Moreover, such a habit can create health problems, such as high blood pressure, weight gain, or addiction.
Adopting healthy coping mechanisms like exercising, meditation, therapy, and socializing can help you unwind and reduce stress much more effectively. These practices not only improve your mental well-being but also promote long-term health.
Final Thoughts
Stressful jobs typically involve responsibilities regarding other people’s health and well-being, tight deadlines, irregular schedules, and large workloads.
Many of them, such as nursing, social work, and mental health counseling, are incredibly rewarding despite being stressful. They’re also highly in demand, which is why you’ll need a good resume and cover letter builder to help you emphasize your expertise.
That said, it’s important to know where to draw the line between work and self-care. To reduce job-related stress and avoid health issues stemming from it, you should learn how to manage your time more effectively.
Additionally, instead of overwhelming yourself with work, try breaking your tasks down. This way, you’ll avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
