The 18 most stressful jobs (and average salaries)
No matter what industry you work in, stress is an unwelcome part of any occupation. A recent study by Chicago-based employee assistance provider ComPsych deemed "unclear expectations from supervisors" as the most stressful part of any job. The study focused specifically on stress in the workplace during times of change. Of course, that notes just one source of workplace stress people face every day.
With these types of daily challenges in mind, CareerTrends found the 28 most stressful jobs in America using data from O*NET, an occupational database sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. O*NET assigns scores in various categories for each occupation based on the results to survey questions sent out to employers.
In examining the jobs that landed on the list, we found there was no correlation between total stress score and average salary. Unfortunately for these employees, working the most stressful job doesn't guarantee the biggest payout.
For this list, we focused on three different scores, all graded on a 1 to 5 scale: frequency of conflict situations, exposure to hazardous conditions, and stress tolerance. Only jobs with at least 10,000 total employees were included.
These three grades were combined to create a "total stress score," and the occupations with the highest total stress scores were chosen for this list.
Survey scores explained:
Note: In the event of ties, the job with the higher stress tolerance score was ranked higher on the list.
#18. Pump Operator
Total stress score: 11.56
Conflict frequency score: 2.85
Hazard exposure score: 4.2
Stress tolerance score: 4.52
Average annual salary: $41,643
Total employment: 12,170
#17. Oil Drill Operator
Total stress score: 11.57
Conflict frequency score: 3.29
Hazard exposure score: 4.2
Stress tolerance score: 4.08
Average annual salary: $50,061
Total employment: 26,480
#16. Elevator Installer
Total stress score: 11.66
Conflict frequency score: 2.67
Hazard exposure score: 4.93
Stress tolerance score: 4.06
Average annual salary: $68,792
Total employment: 20,590
#15. Stationary Engineer
Total stress score: 11.69
Conflict frequency score: 3.21
Hazard exposure score: 4.55
Stress tolerance score: 3.93
Average annual salary: $48,323
Total employment: 37,550
#14. Petroleum Pump Operator
Total stress score: 11.7
Conflict frequency score: 2.77
Hazard exposure score: 4.9
Stress tolerance score: 4.03
Average annual salary: $54,492
Total employment: 41,700
#13. Conveyor Operator
Total stress score: 11.72
Conflict frequency score: 3.17
Hazard exposure score: 4.3
Stress tolerance score: 4.25
Average annual salary: $31,891
Total employment: 38,830
#12. Correctional Officer Supervisor
Total stress score: 11.72
Conflict frequency score: 4.46
Hazard exposure score: 2.86
Stress tolerance score: 4.4
Average annual salary: $56,184
Total employment: 45,150
#11. Powerhouse Equipment Installer
Total stress score: 11.73
Conflict frequency score: 2.84
Hazard exposure score: 4.75
Stress tolerance score: 4.14
Average annual salary: $67,128
Total employment: 22,120
#10. Police Supervisor
Total stress score: 11.74
Conflict frequency score: 4.17
Hazard exposure score: 2.81
Stress tolerance score: 4.76
Average annual salary: $68,973
Total employment: 101,420
#9. Refrigeration Mechanic
Total stress score: 11.93
Conflict frequency score: 3.29
Hazard exposure score: 4.72
Stress tolerance score: 3.92
Average annual salary: $40,601
Total employment: 261,390
#8. Gas Derrick Operator
Total stress score: 11.93
Conflict frequency score: 3.38
Hazard exposure score: 4.62
Stress tolerance score: 3.93
Average annual salary: $45,966
Total employment: 20,760
#7. Nurse Anesthetist
Total stress score: 11.93
Conflict frequency score: 3.97
Hazard exposure score: 3.03
Stress tolerance score: 4.93
Average annual salary: $147,256
Total employment: 36,590
#6. Power Plant Operator
Total stress score: 11.94
Conflict frequency score: 2.94
Hazard exposure score: 4.8
Stress tolerance score: 4.2
Average annual salary: $62,908
Total employment: 40,300
#5. Furnace Operator
Total stress score: 11.98
Conflict frequency score: 3.59
Hazard exposure score: 4.72
Stress tolerance score: 3.67
Average annual salary: $34,012
Total employment: 20,590
#4. Forest Firefighter
Total stress score: 12.08
Conflict frequency score: 3.61
Hazard exposure score: 4.08
Stress tolerance score: 4.39
Average annual salary: $38,890
Total employment: 308,790
#3. Police Patrol Officer
Total stress score: 12.09
Conflict frequency score: 4.56
Hazard exposure score: 2.85
Stress tolerance score: 4.68
Average annual salary: $47,819
Total employment: 638,810
#2. Quality Control Manager
Total stress score: 12.11
Conflict frequency score: 3.92
Hazard exposure score: 3.61
Stress tolerance score: 4.58
Average annual salary: $88,381
Total employment: 167,200
#1. Continuous Mining Machine Operator
Total stress score: 12.21
Conflict frequency score: 3.25
Hazard exposure score: 4.9
Stress tolerance score: 4.06
Average annual salary: $43,099
Total employment: 11,540
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