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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:
Frequency of conflict situations: How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
Exposure to hazardous conditions: How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
Stress tolerance: Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Note: In the event of ties, the job with the higher stress tolerance score was ranked higher on the list.
28. Automotive specialty technician
Average annual salary: $34,092
Total employment: 633,390
Total stress score: 11.33
Conflict frequency: 3.3
Hazard exposure: 4.21
Stress tolerance: 3.82
27. Forest fire fighting supervisor
Average annual salary: $60,372
Total employment: 59,870
Total stress score: 11.34
Conflict frequency: 3.08
Hazard exposure: 3.76
Stress tolerance: 4.5
26. Airline pilot
Average annual salary: $98,733
Total employment: 75,760
Total stress score: 11.35
Conflict frequency: 3.37
Hazard exposure: 3.17
Stress tolerance: 4.81
25. Anesthesiologist assistant
Average annual salary: $89,300
Total employment: 91,670
Total stress score: 11.41
Conflict frequency: 3.37
Hazard exposure: 3.12
Stress tolerance: 4.92
24. Power-line installer
Average annual salary: $62,094
Total employment: 114,540
Total stress score: 11.44
Conflict frequency: 3.12
Hazard exposure: 4.6
Stress tolerance: 3.72
23. Fire investigator
Average annual salary: $53,376
Total employment: 11,370
Total stress score: 11.44
Conflict frequency: 3.43
Hazard exposure: 3.56
Stress tolerance: 4.45
22. Flight attendant
Average annual salary: $42,022
Total employment: 98,510
Total stress score: 11.44
Conflict frequency: 3.99
Hazard exposure: 2.77
Stress tolerance: 4.68
21. Geothermal technician
Average annual salary: $36,126
Total employment: 138,460
Total stress score: 11.46
Conflict frequency: 2.83
Hazard exposure: 4.67
Stress tolerance: 3.96
20. Subway operator
Average annual salary: $54,471
Total employment: 11,300
Total stress score: 11.47
Conflict frequency: 3.63
Hazard exposure: 3.34
Stress tolerance: 4.5
19. Medical laboratory technologist
Average annual salary: $54,678
Total employment: 161,710
Total stress score: 11.48
Conflict frequency: 2.98
Hazard exposure: 4.17
Stress tolerance: 4.33
18. Pump operator
Average annual salary: $41,643
Total employment: 12,170
Total stress score: 11.56
Conflict frequency: 2.85
Hazard exposure: 4.2
Stress tolerance: 4.52
17. Oil drill operator
Average annual salary: $50,061
Total employment: 26,480
Total stress score: 11.57
Conflict frequency: 3.29
Hazard exposure: 4.2
Stress tolerance: 4.08
16. Elevator installer
Average annual salary: $68,792
Total employment: 20,590
Total stress score: 11.66
Conflict frequency: 2.67
Hazard exposure: 4.93
Stress tolerance: 4.06
15. Stationary engineer
Average annual salary: $48,323
Total employment: 37,550
Total stress score: 11.69
Conflict frequency: 3.21
Hazard exposure: 4.55
Stress tolerance: 3.93
14. Petroleum pump operator
Average annual salary: $54,492
Total employment: 41,700
Total stress score: 11.7
Conflict frequency: 2.77
Hazard exposure: 4.9
Stress tolerance: 4.03
13. Conveyor operator
Average annual salary: $31,891
Total employment: 38,830
Total stress score: 11.72
Conflict frequency: 3.17
Hazard exposure score: 4.3
Stress tolerance: 4.25
12. Correctional officer supervisor
Average annual salary: $56,184
Total employment: 45,150
Total stress score: 11.72
Conflict frequency: 4.46
Hazard exposure: 2.86
Stress tolerance: 4.4
11. Powerhouse equipment installer
Average annual salary: $67,128
Total employment: 22,120
Total stress score: 11.73
Conflict frequency: 2.84
Hazard exposure: 4.75
Stress tolerance: 4.14
10. Police supervisor
Average annual salary: $68,973
Total employment: 101,420
Total stress score: 11.74
Conflict frequency: 4.17
Hazard exposure: 2.81
Stress tolerance: 4.76
9. Refrigeration mechanic
Average annual salary: $40,601
Total employment: 261,390
Total stress score: 11.93
Conflict frequency: 3.29
Hazard exposure: 4.72
Stress tolerance: 3.92
8. Gas derrick operator
Average annual salary: $45,966
Total employment: 20,760
Total stress score: 11.93
Conflict frequency: 3.38
Hazard exposure: 4.62
Stress tolerance: 3.93
7. Nurse anesthetist
Average annual salary: $147,256
Total employment: 36,590
Total stress score: 11.93
Conflict frequency: 3.97
Hazard exposure: 3.03
Stress tolerance: 4.93
6. Power plant operator
Average annual salary: $62,908
Total employment: 40,300
Total stress score: 11.94
Conflict frequency: 2.94
Hazard exposure: 4.8
Stress tolerance: 4.2
5. Furnace operator
Average annual salary: $34,012
Total employment: 20,590
Total stress score: 11.98
Conflict frequency: 3.59
Hazard exposure: 4.72
Stress tolerance: 3.67
4. Forest firefighter
Average annual salary: $38,890
Total employment: 308,790
Total stress score: 12.08
Conflict frequency: 3.61
Hazard exposure: 4.08
Stress tolerance: 4.39
3. Police patrol officer
Average annual salary: $47,819
Total employment: 638,810
Total stress score: 12.09
Conflict frequency: 4.56
Hazard exposure: 2.85
Stress tolerance: 4.68
2. Quality control manager
Average annual salary: $88,381
Total employment: 167,200
Total stress score: 12.11
Conflict frequency: 3.92
Hazard exposure: 3.61
Stress tolerance: 4.58
1. Continuous mining machine operator
Average annual salary: $43,099
Total employment: 11,540
Total stress score: 12.21
Conflict frequency: 3.25
Hazard exposure: 4.9
Stress tolerance: 4.06
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