Talent & Tech Asia Summit 2024
human resources online

2017's most and least stressful jobs

While stress is unavoidable, there's no denying that some professions are more stressful than others. With wellness rising up the priority list of today's workforce, those looking to take a breather in the fast paced work environment might want to avoid entering professions such as firefighter, airline pilot, events coordinator, and senior corporate executive.

According to CareerCast's 2017 Job Stress report, the professions above are some of the most stress-inducing jobs this year.

Evaluating 11 stress factors - including travel required; deadlines; working in the public eye; physical demands; own life at risk; life of others at risk; and meeting or interacting with the public at large - the report placed enlisted military personnel at the very top of the list of stressful jobs.

Followed by firefighter, airline pilot, police officer, and event coordinator, rounding up the top five.

Here are the 10 most stressful jobs of 2017:

1. Enlisted military personnelStress Score: 72.74Median Salary: $27,936*Growth Outlook: N/A*Source: United States Army. Refers to E4 Specialist or Corporal with 4 years of experience

2. FirefighterStress Score: 72.68Median Salary: $45,870Growth Outlook: 5%

3. Airline pilotStress Score: 60.54Median Salary: $102,520Growth Outlook: 5%

4. Police officerStress Score: 51.68Median Salary: $60,270Growth Outlook: 4%

5. Event coordinatorStress Score: 51.15Median Salary: $46,840Growth Outlook: 10%

6. Newspaper reporterStress Score: 49.90Median Salary: $36,360Growth Outlook: -8%

7. Corporate executive (senior)Stress Score: 48.56Median Salary: $102,690Growth Outlook: 6%

8. Public relations executiveStress Score: 48.50Median Salary: $104,140Growth Outlook: 7%

9. Taxi driverStress Score: 48.18Median Salary: $23,510Growth Outlook: 13%

10. BroadcasterStress Score: 47.93Median Salary: $37,720Growth Outlook: -9%

On-the-job stress can be caused by a variety of reasons. For example, in professions like firefighter, military and police officer, stress results from putting their lives at risk and being responsible for the lives of others.

Whereas in the cases of newspaper reporter and broadcaster, stress may be caused by working under tight deadlines, and the fear of lawsuits or layoffs.

"Even though they may be stressful, these professions are crucial to American's safety and democracy," says Kyle Kensing, online content editor, CareerCast.

"Firefighters, Military and Police Officers protect us, and Newspaper Reporters and Broadcasters have a big impact in showing us the truth amidst the trend of "'fake news'".

On the other hand, if wellness is top on your list of priorities, you might want to consider these least stressful jobs of 2017:

1. Diagnostic medical sonographerStress Score: 4.00Median Salary: $63,630Growth Outlook: 24%

2. Compliance officer Stress Score: 5.73Median Salary: $65,640Growth Outlook: 3%

3. Hair stylist Stress Score: 6.71Median Salary: $23,710Growth Outlook: 10%

4. Audiologist Stress Score: 7.31Median Salary: $74,890Growth Outlook: 29%

5. University professor (tenured) Stress Score: 8.17Median Salary: $72,470Growth Outlook: 13%

6. Medical records technician Stress Score: 8.57Median Salary: $37,110Growth Outlook: 15%

7. Jeweler Stress Score: 8.95Median Salary: $37,060Growth Outlook: -11%

8. Operations research analyst Stress Score: 9.02Median Salary: $78,630Growth Outlook: 30%

9. Pharmacy technician Stress Score: 9.10Median Salary: $30,410Growth Outlook: 9%

10. Medical laboratory technician Stress Score: 10.31Median Salary: $50,550Growth Outlook: 16%

Photo / iStock

Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region!

Related topics

Related articles

Free newsletter

Get the daily lowdown on Asia's top Human Resources stories.

We break down the big and messy topics of the day so you're updated on the most important developments in Asia's Human Resources development – for free.

subscribe now open in new window