Many occupations come with heavy workloads, tight deadlines, long hours, and intense demands that lead to high-stress levels. While some thrive under pressure, chronic stress takes a toll mentally and physically, increasing risks for burnout, anxiety, depression, heart disease, insomnia, and more.
According to the Occupational Information Network (ONET), jobs are ranked on a 0-100 scale for stress tolerance based on the importance of accepting criticism and dealing calmly with high-stress situations.
The higher the score, the more stressful the typical job duties and environment.
Data reveals roles like the physician, police officer, firefighter, pilot, and nurse as among the most stressful.
However, many other jobs also involve very high demands. Understanding the typical stress levels and causes in various professions can help job seekers find the right fit based on their abilities.
But regardless of occupation, maintaining a work-life balance and managing stress properly is key for health. Stress is an unavoidable part of any job. But some careers come with much higher stress levels than others.
O*NET scores jobs on a scale of 0 to 100 for stress tolerance – the ability to accept criticism and deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations. The higher the score, the more stressful the typical job duties and environment.
Here are the 30 most stressful jobs including stress tolerance scores:
1. Urologist
Stress Score: 100
Median Salary: $208,000
Typical Education Needed: Doctoral or professional degree
Urologists specialize in treating conditions related to the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. This involves performing delicate surgeries and diagnosing complex conditions like cancers. The high stress score reflects the immense pressure of this life-saving work.
Urologists are medical doctors who specialize in treating diseases and conditions of the urinary tract system and male reproductive organs. This includes common issues like kidney stones, urinary tract infections, prostate problems, and cancers of the bladder, kidneys, or testes.
Urologists perform delicate surgeries like vasectomies, prostate biopsies, and kidney stone removal. They also provide medical treatment for urinary incontinence. With patients’ quality of life impacted by urological health, urologists face immense pressure to accurately diagnose conditions and provide effective treatments.
The intricate nature of their work coupled with the sensitivity of the conditions they treat contribute to very high stress levels.
2. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Stress Score: 94
Median Salary: $208,000
Typical Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Oral surgeons operate on the mouth, jaws, teeth, gums, neck, and head. This can include complex procedures like tumor removal and fracture repairs. The intricate nature of the work and its impact on patients’ quality of life contributes to high stress levels.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons operate on the mouth, jaws, face, neck, and head regions. They treat issues like impacted wisdom teeth, misaligned jaws, facial trauma from accidents, cleft lip and palate, oral cancers, and temporomandibular joint disorders.
Their procedures include complex extractions, orthognathic surgery, cleft lip repair, tumor removal, and reconstructive plastic surgery.
The intricate nature of oral surgery and its effects on basic life functions like breathing, eating, and speaking contribute to extremely high stress levels as surgeons strive to improve patients’ quality of life.
3. Anesthesiologist
Stress Score: 94
Median Salary: $208,000
Typical Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Anesthesiologists are responsible for administering anesthesia to patients and monitoring their vital signs during surgeries and procedures. Any mistakes can be life-threatening so stress levels are extremely high in this role.
Anesthesiologists are medical doctors responsible for administering anesthesia to patients and monitoring their vital signs during surgeries, procedures, and tests. They ensure patients remain sedated and pain-free.
Anesthesiologists make critical decisions about anesthesia doses and respond to sudden changes in patients’ conditions. Any errors in administering or monitoring anesthesia can endanger patients’ lives.
The immense responsibility of handling life-threatening situations results in anesthesiology being an extremely high stress occupation.
4. Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Stress Score: 97
Median Salary: $208,000
Typical Education: Doctoral or professional degree
OB/GYNs provide medical care related to pregnancy, childbirth, and diseases of the female reproductive system. The immense responsibility of caring for both mothers and babies results in very high stress.
Obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are medical doctors providing specialized care for female patients’ reproductive health.
This includes pregnancy, childbirth, prenatal and postnatal care, annual exams, menstrual issues, fertility, menopause, and diseases of the female reproductive system. OB/GYNs deliver babies and perform gynecological surgery.
The immense responsibility of caring for both mothers and babies, along with diagnosing and treating complex conditions like cancers, leads to OB/GYNs experiencing very high stress levels.
5. Pediatrician
Stress Score: 88
Median Salary: $170,560
Typical Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Pediatricians care for the health of infants, children, teens, and young adults. While rewarding, pediatricians are under immense pressure to care for the lives of children and provide guidance to parents.
Pediatricians are medical doctors treating infants, children, teens, and young adults. They provide preventive care like immunizations along with diagnosing and treating childhood diseases and conditions like asthma, infections, injuries, and mental health issues.
Pediatricians must communicate effectively with young patients and guide parents on health decisions. Although rewarding, pediatricians are under constant pressure to care for the lives of children which contributes to high stress levels.
6. Psychiatrist
Stress Score: 89
Median Salary: $217,100
Typical Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental illnesses through psychotherapy, counseling, and medication. Dealing with severe mental health issues daily contributes to psychiatrists facing high stress.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses ranging from depression to schizophrenia.
Through psychotherapy, counseling, hospitalization, and medication, psychiatrists aim to improve patients’ mental health and quality of life.
Dealing with severe psychiatric conditions daily coupled with the stigma surrounding mental illness leads to very stressful work for psychiatrists. However, improving lives through mental healthcare also provides high job satisfaction.
7. Physician Assistant
Stress Score: 93
Median Salary: $115,390
Typical Education: Master’s degree
Physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. The complex nature of medical care and risk to patients results in a high-stress occupation.
Physician assistants practice medicine alongside doctors including surgeons, pediatricians, and general practitioners. Under the supervision of physicians, they conduct patient exams, order tests, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, and assist with procedures.
Although not as extensively trained as doctors, physician assistants face immense pressure in making critical healthcare decisions that directly impact patients’ well-being and lives. This results in a highly stressful occupation.
8. Phlebotomist
Stress Score: 90
Median Salary: $34,480
Typical Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Phlebotomists draw blood from patients and must calm anxious or nervous donors. Their important role in healthcare carries significant pressure.
Phlebotomists are responsible for collecting blood samples from patients and donors for medical testing and blood transfusions. They locate veins, disinfect sites, insert needles, and draw vials of blood.
Phlebotomists must calm anxious or nervous patients and ensure high quality samples. As essential healthcare personnel with direct patient contact, phlebotomists experience considerable stress to perform their duties safely and effectively for the best patient outcomes.
9. Registered Nurse
Stress Score: 73
Median Salary: $73,300
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
Working long shifts and being responsible for critical patient care leads to high stress for registered nurses. They must make quick decisions that impact patients’ health.
Registered nurses provide around-the-clock patient care ranging from health assessments to coordinating treatment plans.
Working closely with doctors, they administer medications, monitor vital signs, operate equipment, and help perform diagnostic tests and procedures.
The immense responsibility of managing patients’ well-being coupled with long, irregular hours leads registered nurses to have a highly stressful occupation. However, the ability to directly impact patients’ lives also provides high job satisfaction.
10. Police Officer
Stress Score: 89
Median Salary: $63,150
Typical Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Police officers face immense pressures ranging from dangerous situations to community relations, resulting in very high stress levels.
Police officers maintain public safety and law enforcement. They respond to emergencies, patrol assigned areas, conduct investigations, make arrests, issue citations, and testify in court.
Police officers face immense pressures ranging from dangerous situations to community relations, resulting in very high stress levels. However, police officers take pride in serving their communities by protecting lives and property.
11. Firefighter
Stress Score: 91
Median Salary: $50,850
Typical Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Firefighters continually put themselves at risk to save lives and property. The physical dangers coupled with irregular working hours contribute to high stress.
Firefighters work in teams to respond to fires, medical emergencies, traffic accidents, and disasters. They put their lives at risk to rescue people, administer first aid, drive emergency vehicles, and suppress fires using equipment like hoses and axes.
The immense physical dangers coupled with irregular working hours contribute to firefighters having a highly stressful yet rewarding occupation saving lives and property.
12. Airline Pilot
Stress Score: 83
Median Salary: $174,870
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
Airline pilots are highly trained to transport passengers and cargo but work long hours and shoulder great responsibility for safety. This results in considerable stress.
Airline pilots are highly trained professionals responsible for flying passengers and cargo. They inspect aircraft, file flight plans, navigate routes, communicate with air traffic control, and monitor systems in flight.
Pilots work long hours and shoulder tremendous responsibility for safety with hundreds of lives at stake.
The extended concentration required coupled with irregular schedules results in considerable stress. However, piloting provides the thrill and freedom of flying for those drawn to high-pressure careers.
13. Military Officer
Stress Score: 84
Median Salary: $83,420
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
Military officers face life-or-death situations in combat along with immense responsibility for their teams. This combination creates very high stress levels.
Commissioned military officers lead and command armed forces units including combat missions. They plan strategies, assign duties, manage equipment and budgets, ensure readiness, and take direct action when required.
However, many officers feel a deep purpose in serving their country in roles with great significance.
14. Emergency Medical Technician
Stress Score: 88
Median Salary: $34,320
Typical Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
EMTs provide urgent medical care at accident scenes and transport sick or injured people. The fast-paced nature of the job creates a lot of stress.
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) provide urgent care at accident scenes and transport sick or injured people to hospitals in ambulances. They assess injuries, administer oxygen and first aid, monitor vital signs, and report to emergency room personnel.
Working independently in chaotic situations with little margin for error, EMTs face considerable stress responding rapidly to save lives. However many EMTs feel rewarded for being the first point of help in critical emergencies.
15. Police Detective
Stress Score: 91
Median Salary: $83,320
Typical Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Detectives conduct complex investigations into crimes. The disturbing nature of the work coupled with long hours leads to high stress levels.
Police detectives conduct complex investigations into crimes by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, making arrests, and testifying in court. They analyze records, examine crime scenes, and build cases.
The disturbing nature of the work coupled with long, irregular hours leads to high stress levels. However, detectives feel motivated to unravel mysteries and bring perpetrators to justice.
16. Taxi Driver
Stress Score: 85
Median Salary: $30,550
Typical Education: No formal educational credential
Taxi drivers deal with traffic, aggressive passengers, safety risks, and long hours. These factors contribute to elevated stress levels.
Taxi drivers transport passengers by picking up fares on the street or via dispatch. Driving in congested, dangerous traffic and dealing with aggressive passengers can create health and safety risks.
Transporting intoxicated riders late at night also elevates risks. Long hours and income instability add financial pressures resulting in elevated stress levels for cab drivers. However, those drawn to the work often enjoy the freedom and flexibility of the open road.
17. Financial Analyst
Stress Score: 79
Median Salary: $81,590
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
Financial analysts work long hours under pressure to meet deadlines and performance goals. Workloads and competition result in considerable job stress.
Financial analysts assess economic conditions, research companies, and industries, and make advising recommendations on investments, mergers, and budgets.
Working long hours under pressure to meet deadlines and performance goals creates considerable job stress.
However, thriving under high-pressure decisions and solving complex analytical problems provides stimulation for some financial analysts. Their work aims to facilitate profitable moves for clients.
18. Public Relations Manager
Stress Score: 77
Median Salary: $118,430
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
PR managers handle communications crises and negative publicity that can damage an organization’s reputation. This constant pressure results in stressful work.
Public relations managers handle communications between organizations and the public including media outlets, investors, and consumers. They address unfavorable publicity and controversies that may damage an organization’s reputation.
The constant pressure of being prepared to respond to crises and negative events results in very stressful work. However, PR managers play an impactful role in shaping public perceptions.
19. Event Planner
Stress Score: 95
Median Salary: $49,370
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
Event planners deal with last-minute changes, venue issues, catering problems, and difficult clients leading to highly stressful work.
Event planners coordinate logistics for professional conferences, ceremonies, company parties, fundraisers, and other events. They manage vendors, venues, catering, entertainment, speakers, and more.
However, bringing events together successfully provides a major sense of accomplishment.
20. Restaurant Cook
Stress Score: 94
Median Salary: $27,790
Typical Education: No formal educational credential
Fast-paced, hot kitchens create intense pressure on restaurant cooks who work long, irregular hours to meet customer demands.
Restaurant cooks prepare meals in commercial kitchens under high pressure to meet customer demands. They follow recipes, track orders, monitor inventory, and keep stations clean.
However, restaurant cooks get satisfaction from providing diners with great meals and gain resilience working through the stress.
21. Public Relations Specialist
Stress Score: 77
Median Salary: $60,000
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
Like PR managers, specialists also have to deal with organizational crises and handle media scrutiny. Meeting deadlines also adds stress.
Public relations specialists create communications campaigns to promote organizations and manage their reputations. They handle media inquiries, social media, and events.
Like PR managers, specialists also have to deal with organizational crises and handle media scrutiny. Meeting deadlines also adds stress. However, PR specialists feel rewarded when campaigns achieve positive publicity for clients.
22. Middle School Teacher
Stress Score: 92
Median Salary: $58,600
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
Middle school teachers face challenges like overcrowded classrooms and students’ behavioral issues. The pressure can be highly stressful.
Middle school teachers work with 11-13 year old students. They create lesson plans, assign homework, grade tests, and facilitate activities.
Overcrowded classrooms, students’ behavioral issues, and standardized testing requirements create high-stress work. However, impacting young teens and helping them learn provides high job satisfaction for middle school teachers.
23. High School Teacher
Stress Score: 91
Median Salary: $60,320
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
In addition to behavioral problems, high school teachers also face stress from standardized testing requirements and greater accountability for student performance.
High school teachers educate students in their chosen subjects like math, science, English, and social studies. Lesson planning, grading, disciplining students, and meeting standardized testing targets all contribute to considerable stress.
However, the ability to advance teenagers’ knowledge in key subject areas provides meaning and accomplishment.
24. Real Estate Agent
Stress Score: 91
Median Salary: $48,930
Typical Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Real estate agents face irregular hours, demanding clients, competition to close deals, market fluctuations, and income instability – all major stress factors.
Real estate agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. They market listings, show homes, negotiate deals, and assist with paperwork. Irregular hours, demanding clients, competition to close deals, market fluctuations, and income instability create major stress factors.
However, successful agents enjoy helping people find homes while benefiting from flexible work.
25. Social Worker
Stress Score: 88
Median Salary: $50,390
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
Child, family, and school social workers deal with abuse, neglect, addiction, and mental illness leading to chronic stress. Heavy caseloads add more pressure.
Child, family, and school social workers protect vulnerable populations from harm. They support clients dealing with abuse, neglect, addiction, disabilities, and mental illness leading to chronic stress.
Heavy caseloads add more pressure. However, improving clients’ well-being and functioning provides social workers with a strong sense of purpose.
26. Lawyer
Lawyers advise and represent clients on legal matters including criminal cases, business deals, estate planning, and disputes.
High-stakes court cases create pressure to construct sound legal arguments and achieve favorable outcomes for clients. Long hours reviewing documents and preparing cases also contribute to elevated stress levels.
However, fighting for justice provides fulfillment for many lawyers.
27. Construction Manager
Construction managers plan and coordinate building projects from start to finish. They create budgets and schedules, hire contractors, obtain permits, monitor progress, and ensure compliance with regulations.
Delays, budget overruns, accidents, and quality concerns cause immense stress. However, successfully completing complex projects provides great satisfaction.
28. Sales Manager
Sales managers lead teams to achieve sales targets and grow revenue. They set quotas, analyze data, train reps, and oversee territories and accounts.
Pressure to hit goals, competition, and unstable incomes cause high stress. However, motivating teams to succeed provides accomplishment.
29. Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities or injuries gain skills and employment. They assess needs, coordinate services, provide counseling, and advocate for clients.
Limited resources and heavy caseloads create chronic stress. But improving clients’ independence and quality of life is rewarding.
30. Structural Iron and Steel Worker
Structural iron and steel workers assemble the frameworks for buildings, bridges, and infrastructure. They install beams, girders, and columns at great heights.
Extreme physical dangers lead to very high stress levels. But ironworkers take great pride in their crucial role in constructing the bones of our communities.
Tips for Reducing Stress in High-Pressure Jobs
Many occupations come with heavy workloads, tight deadlines, long hours, and intense demands that lead to high stress levels. While some thrive under pressure, chronic stress takes a toll mentally and physically. It can increase risks for burnout, anxiety, depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, and more.
Whether you work in a fast-paced corporate setting, busy restaurant, crowded hospital, or hectic construction site, there are ways to minimize stress so you can stay engaged and healthy.
Here are tips for reducing stress in high-pressure jobs:
Take Regular Breaks
Don’t get so absorbed in work that you forget to pause and recharge. Take a short walk outside, do some stretches, grab a healthy snack, or simply sit quietly for a few minutes of meditation. Breaking up the day helps clear your mind, refocus, and return to work refreshed.
Set Manageable Daily Goals
Rather than looking at the mountain of work ahead, set clear daily goals and priorities that are realistically achievable. Crossing completed tasks off your list provides a sense of progress. Celebrate small wins rather than getting overwhelmed by the big picture.
Avoid Multitasking
Focusing on one task at a time reduces errors and stress. Multitasking often creates more stress than efficiency as the brain switches back and forth trying to juggle multiple thought processes. Eliminate distractions and concentrate on the most important thing at the moment.
Take Time Off
Use your vacation days, sick time, and weekends to fully disengage from work. Make time for hobbies, social activities, and exercise that relieve stress. Disconnecting from job demands, even briefly, clears your mind and allows you to return renewed.
Try Deep Breathing
When you feel stress building, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and slowly. Inhale through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale through your mouth. Deep breathing triggers your relaxation response, lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
Limit Caffeine
While it may seem to provide an energy boost, too much caffeine increases anxiety, disrupts sleep, and taxes your adrenal glands. Limit coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks to see if it makes a difference. Stay hydrated with water instead.
Organize Your Workspace
Clutter around your workstation can heighten stress and make tasks take longer. Take time to sort through paperwork, files, tools, and supplies. Toss what you don’t need, neatly organize the rest, and maintain the system.
Talk Openly With Coworkers
You’re not alone in feeling stressed. Confide in coworkers you trust about the pressures you face. Brainstorm constructive ways to address issues. Bonding together makes the work environment less isolating.
Adopt Healthy Habits
Eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and limit alcohol. Taking care of your overall health equips your body to better handle stress when it occurs. Don’t sabotage yourself with unhealthy habits.
Reframe Your Mindset
How you perceive stressors affects your response. Try to view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than threats. Focus on what you can control and take constructive action rather than wasting energy on frustration.
Know Your Limits
While some thrive on the adrenaline of high-pressure jobs, understand your own stress tolerance. Seek roles aligned with your comfort level. Don’t take on more than you can handle just to prove yourself.
Talk to Your Manager
Have an open discussion with your manager about workloads and priorities. See if responsibilities can be better balanced across the team. Suggest improvements that would reduce unnecessary stressors.
Leverage Your Strengths
Focus your efforts in areas where you have the most skill and passion. Delegate or outsource tasks outside your comfort zone. Playing to your strengths reduces fatigue.
Take a Time Out
If you feel completely overwhelmed, take a short break away from your desk and responsibilities. Splash cold water on your face, do some light stretches, meditate or take a few deep breaths. Then return to work with a clearer mindset.
Maintain Support Networks
Make time for family, friends, and social activities that reenergize you outside of work. Share feelings and gain perspective from your support network. Don’t let work isolate you.
While many jobs will always involve some degree of stress, taking proactive steps can help manage the pressure. Implementing even a few of these tips can help safeguard your health and improve your ability to thrive in high-stress work environments. Just remember, you have more control over your response to stress than you may realize.
Key Facts
While stress exists in every occupation, some jobs clearly have much higher demands and pressures than others. Many of the most stressful jobs provide critical services that directly impact people’s health, safety, and wellbeing.
The levels of responsibility and decision-making involved take a toll over time. However, those drawn to high-stress careers may thrive under pressure and feel immense fulfillment helping others through their work.
Understanding the typical stress levels and demands of various professions can help job seekers find the right fit based on their abilities and preferences. But regardless of the career path chosen, maintaining work-life balance and managing stress in healthy ways is vital for happiness and longevity.
