Diabetes and Pneumonia: Risk Factors, Prevention & Outlook
These Are The 11 Least Stressful Jobs, But Do They Pay Enough To Live On?
TFoxFoto / Shutterstock.Com
So often, a well-paying job comes with near impossible demands: long hours, the need to be "on call," minimal sick leave, high expectations, lofty goals, no room for life balance. And then, of course, there's the stress, oh the stress! All stemming from your job.
Learn: How I Make $5,000 a Month in Passive Income Doing Just 10 Hours of Work a YearDiscover: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000
According to a study from The American Institute of Stress, 83% of U.S. Workers suffer from work-related stress, with 25% saying their job is the No. 1 stressor in their lives. About 76% of workers report that workplace stress affects their personal relationships.
Surely, not every job is a high-stress situation. In fact, there are jobs out there that are relatively low stress.
A study by the CDC's National Health Interview Survey was indexed by TRE House, which determined America's least stressful industries to work in by analyzing factors such as wages, hours worked and paid sick leave.
Which are the least stressful jobs and do they actually pay enough to live on?
Sponsored: Get Paid To Scroll. Start Now
Transportation Equipment ManufacturerIndustries in the transportation equipment manufacturing category focus on the production of equipment for transporting people and goods. Key industries in this sector include motor vehicle manufacturing, aerospace products and parts manufacturing, and ship and boat building. How much do professionals stand to make in these respective industries?
For motor vehicle manufacturing, the average annual salary in the U.S. Is $86,041, according to ZipRecruiter. This is well above the national average salary, which hovers at around $64,000 per year, according to 2022 data from the Social Security Administration.
Those working in the aerospace product industry, as engineers, average $115,100 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. This is also well above the national average salary.
Professionals in ship building sector pull in an average salary of $132,754, according to ZipRecruiter.
Story continues
Check Out: How To Earn an Extra $500 a Year on Your Savings
Insurance CarrierRaking in an average of $58,198 a year, per ZipRecruiter, insurance carriers make slightly under the national average salary.
Machinery WorkerWhat exactly is the machinery job sector? Could be a few things: industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers and millwrights, to name a few.
A job in the industrial machinery industry could be low stress, comparatively, but it's not well-paying when looking at the national median salary: $51,053 a year, on average, according to Zippia.
Machinery workers are doing fine, salary-wise, according to ZipRecruiter, pulling in $96,249 annually.
Millwrights are getting by, but not luxuriously so; they make, on average, $54,596, according to Talent.Com.
Rental and Leasing Services WorkerAccording to ZipRecruiter, professionals in the rental and leasing services space are not exactly cleaning up, financially. They make an average salary of just $38,515 a year.
Publishing ProfessionalPublishing isn't exactly a booming industry these days — at least, not when it comes to books and magazines. And that fact makes it interesting that it is considered a relatively low-stress job. Still, the pay ain't bad: $69,970 per year, on average, according to Indeed.
MinerWorkers in underground mining pull in an average salary of $47,840 per year, according to Talent.Com. This is hardly big bucks, and it's difficult to perceive this as a low-stress job, as the risk of dying or serious injury on the job is fairly high.
Information Services and Data ProcessorThis is another industry that canopies several job types. Let's consider data processing. In this field, workers make an average of $82,640 a year, per ZipRecruiter. No wonder these folks aren't so stressed out.
Education Services ProThe educational services sector covers organizations that provide instruction and training in a vast array of subjects. It covers schools, colleges, universities and training centers. Now, we pretty much are all in agreement that public school teachers could stand to make more money; so, unsurprisingly, these professionals are not enjoying an excess of cash. They pull in an average salary of $46,590, according to ZipRecruiter.
Public AdministratorPublic administration is a field that is all about leadership. It sees professionals serving communities to make things better for everyone within those communities. Evidently, it's considered a low-stress job. And it pays well, too. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for professionals in this sector is $125,844. That's twice the amount of national average salary in the U.S.
Investment ProfessionalThis one is a doozy because it could be so many jobs, and some (e.G., securities and commodities) are complicated to examine. For the sake of space and sanity, let's look at how much financial investors make. It's less than you may think: on average, $69,759 a year, per ZipRecruiter.
Utilities WorkerAre your utility bills stressing you out? Well, the people behind the scenes of them are, apparently, the least stressed workers on this list. But wow are they barely getting by. They make an average annual salary of just $38,319, per ZipRecruiter. It makes you wonder how they aren't majorly stressed out.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.Com: These Are the 11 Least Stressful Jobs, But Do They Pay Enough To Live On?
Dealing With Work Stress: The Top 10 Most And Least Stressful Jobs
Some jobs are inherently more stressful than others. But the world of work has changed drastically over the last several years. New jobs have been created, while technology has eliminated others. The pandemic and the emergence of remote work – followed by a "return to office" push – have also changed how we experience stress in the workplace and specific roles.
It may come as no surprise that careers in the military and public safety sector are considered among the most stressful jobs. Alternatively, job roles that allow for less interaction or more positive interactions are often less stressful. Keep reading for our lists of the most and least stressful jobs, along with tips for managing stress at work.
In a 2023 Work in America survey by the American Psychological Association, 77 percent of workers reported experiencing work-related stress in the last month.
The most stressful jobsMost high-stress jobs today involve frequent interaction with the public. Many of these public service roles require individuals to make quick decisions that can impact the lives of many people. And while jobs in healthcare have always been stressful, the effects of the pandemic put increased pressure on employees in that field. While the U.S. Is past the height of the COVID health crisis, for some workers, longer hours, increased stress and navigating countless unknowns each day remain.
>> Read next: Stressed Out! Unrealistic Expectations Put the Pressure on Workers
The least stressful jobsUnlike our list of the most stressful jobs, those that are the least stressful tend to involve less interaction with the public or simply a different kind of interaction. For example, people usually enjoy visiting a massage therapist or hairstylist, leading to more joyous interactions throughout the workday.
While occupations like orthodontist or occupational therapist do fall under healthcare, the job pace is much slower in those roles and still allows a person more work-life balance than many other medical positions. Also, many of the least stressful jobs let workers focus on their responsibilities without too much interaction with others throughout the day, which can make the workday smoother.
What makes a job stressful?It's not just the inherent, high-risk nature or frequent public interaction of some jobs that are to blame for high levels of stress and burnout. There are other reasons why someone might be biting their nails at work.
Here are some additional reasons certain jobs may be more stressful than others:
Although broadcasters do not face the physical dangers that police officers or firefighters do, they do have to meet strict, constant deadlines, which can bring about significant stress. Further, those working in the news industry often deal with the fear of lawsuits and a dwindling job market, which also contribute to high stress levels.
Many of the most stressful jobs are crucial to society, impacting safety and justice locally and at large. While police officers and members of the military protect us, news reporters and broadcasters are tasked with objectively sharing essential news that can affect people's day-to-day lives. They may be looked down upon for their line of work by some or – even worse – publicly exposed in a way that could lead to potential harm.
Below, we explore some other job stressors.
MicromanagementWhen every decision and email is vetted by a supervisor before any move can be made, it wastes a lot of time, especially when quality work can be achieved without constant check-ins. For a new hire, increased monitoring may be necessary for the first few months of their employment, but when it becomes part of the company culture, it can impact company morale.
"Lack of freedom around decisions can make you feel restricted when it comes to your autonomy," said Marni Amsellem, a licensed psychologist and the founder of Smart Health Psychology, a health psychology consulting business. "When [employees] feel overmanaged, it … undermines their value and what they're able to contribute, and that is going to create tension."
The best leaders will put their employees in positions to thrive, where micromanagement isn't an issue. [Learn how to be an ethical leader.]
DistractionsFor some, being "in the zone" and completing assignments back-to-back feels good. However, little things like answering a text message or chatting with a co-worker interrupt productivity, which can put workers behind and increase their level of stress. Keeping workplace distractions to a minimum creates more time for employees to stay focused and on top of their workload.
Lack of communication and feedbackA boss who doesn't provide or solicit any employee feedback – good or bad – can cause workers to worry if they're doing a good job. That constant worry can put a sizable dent in productivity. Having clear and open communication on both sides can eliminate confusion and any concerns that would otherwise cause stress.
Low salaries and/or no opportunities for advancementHaving a job that doesn't pay well is stressful for a number of reasons. Not only is there the constant strain of not meeting your financial responsibilities, but jobs with low salaries or no room for advancement cause workers to feel undervalued, hopeless and depressed.
Effects of healthy and unhealthy job stressNot all stress is negative; the truth is, it's a spectrum. Healthy stress can motivate someone to finish daily tasks and meet goals, said Amsellem. However, unhealthy workplace stress leads to a host of problems.
When anxiety dominates someone's daily thoughts, that's a sign that the level of stress they're dealing with is harmful to their health. Chronic stress is associated with:
Burnout – mental, emotional and physical exhaustion – is the culmination of trying to manage stress for too long. Any job where a worker is dealing with people constantly puts them in jeopardy of burnout. Emergency service workers are especially vulnerable. Conversely, someone who is too isolated from others and carrying a heavy work burden entirely on their own can burn out too.
How to manage stress at workWhen you have a stressful job, it's critical to find productive ways to deal with it – but doing so also depends on the nature of your role. If you're in a physically demanding position, you may consider setting aside time for regular meditation, reading or something that doesn't require a lot of movement. However, if your role requires you to sit most of the day, you may find that vigorous exercise actually helps you destress.
These additional recommendations can help you manage stress as a business owner or employee and boost productivity.
Manage your time efficiently.Nothing's more frustrating than an unfinished to-do list, but sometimes it's not us; it's the list. For your next assigned project, rather than add the entire project to your to-do list, consider the scope of the project, then prioritize the most critical elements and divide those elements into small, manageable assignments that can reasonably be completed at the end of each day. Using this strategy can help you turn in projects on time and error-free, and you won't be completely frazzled when it's done.
Set boundaries.Today, it's easier than ever for work to follow you home. Our smartphones can keep us chained to the office if we don't set clear boundaries. For those literally working at home, it can be even harder to separate personal and professional time. If an email or phone call comes in after work hours, try not to answer. Taking your work email off your phone or having a designated phone for work that you can turn off at the end of the day gives you a break, which in turn gives you the energy and focus needed when it's time to work again. [Read related article: How to Improve Your Work-Life Balance Today]
Find positive responses.Stress is a fact of life, and while we can't eliminate stress entirely, we have control over how we respond to it. Avoid unhealthy coping strategies like turning to junk food or alcohol to quell anxiety. Exercise or do whatever relaxes you, whether that's solving a crossword puzzle or spending time with family and friends. If venting about work to someone helps you feel better, do that. The key is to engage in healthy activities that bring you peace and explore outlets that are "social, physical or creative," said Amsellem.
Regardless of your profession, speaking with a healthcare professional can help you find the best ways to personally eliminate stress and take care of yourself.
Every job has some level of stress, but the nature of it may vary in type and frequency. That's why it's so important for each person to learn how to manage stress in a way that works for them.
It's unlikely that public service jobs will become less stressful in the future, but with technological advances, the creation of new jobs and today's rapidly changing work environment, it's safe to assume we'll see more changes among the most stressful and least stressful jobs in the years ahead. A decade ago, few would've imagined the popularity of work-from-home setups, Zoom burnout or a number of other elements, both good and bad, that people now have to deal with in the modern working world. As job roles evolve, work stress is an inevitability. But business owners, managers and employees themselves can work together to minimize the consequences.
Casey Conway contributed to this article. Source interview was conducted for a previous version of this article.
The American Workforce: Which Industries Are The Least Stressful For Employees?
Each work industry in the United States has a level of its own stress, but some are less stressful than others.
Experts at TRĒ House analyzed 26 different factors, including wages, hours worked and paid sick leave to compile a list of the least stressful industries in the U.S. The list was put into an index and each industry was given a score out of 100. The higher the score, the less stressful the industry.
Utilities is the least stressful industry, followed by securities, commodities and other financial-related activities, public administration, then education services. Transportation is among the least stressful.
"This study shows there are many factors to consider when stress is involved. Some of these industries might look easy on the surface but the inner workings and compensation for employees could lead to a much more stressful environment," Jameson Rodgers, a spokesperson for TRĒ House said of the findings.
Rodgers added that out of the 71 industries studied, 25 had more than 10 percent of employees working second jobs, and all had more than 30 percent of employees worried about paying medical bills.
"Breaks are not mandated in the U.S. For workers but are instead up to the employer. Research from the association of psychological science has shown that having adequate breaks and rest periods of 10 minutes per hour worked can increase productivity in employees," Rodgers said.
Utilities scored 66.00 out of 100 for the least stressful industry. Sixty-four percent of employees reported an hourly wage, which creates a disadvantage when it comes to taking time off. The average amount of sleep for someone working in utilities is 7.16 hours, and the average amount of cigarettes smoked in this industry is 13.9 per day.
With a score of 65.22 out of 100, securities, commodities and other financial-related activities rank as the second least stressful industry. Twenty-nine percent reported satisfaction with their healthcare options and in the industry, 5.4 percent reported taking medication for anxiety or depression.
Public administration closely follows in third with a score of 61.30 out of 100. Nearly 38 percent of the industry report that they are worried about paying medical bills while 48 percent report being unable to pay medical bills at all. The data also shows that only 11.2 percent of this industry have a second job.
Education services rank fourth with a score of 60.13 out of 100. More than 35 percent report being paid hourly due to the inclusion of substitute teachers and admin staff. The industry also reports that 38.4 percent are unable to pay medical bills.
Information services and data processing follows with 60.13 out of 100. Paid sick leave is available to 83.6 percent and 25 percent of the industry report they cannot pay medical bills. Only 6.5 percent report they have a second job.
Mining is fifth with 59.89 out of 100. Paid hourly instead of monthly are 77.6 percent of employees and 75 percent are unable to pay medical bills. The industry works on average 51 hours per week, the longest working hours in the list.
Publishing ranks sixth with 59.73 out of 100. Publishing as an industry reported that 12.3 percent have a second job.
Tenth on the list is transportation equipment with 58.62 out of 100. More than 65 percent of the industry is paid hourly and 77.3 percent report that paid sick leave is available.
A common link between all industries in the list is the stress and worry over not being able to pay medical bills or earning an hourly wage. Medical bills can lead to personal debt for decades and hourly pay results in employees not feeling able to take time off if they are ill. Robust support, such as better insurance coverage or salaried pay, would enable employees to feel less stressed and give peace of mind.
Comments
Post a Comment