In this article, we will look at 15 dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more. Before going to the list, we will discuss some of the statistics regarding dangerous jobs and horrific work tragedies.
Fatal work injuries are much more common than most people believe. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, a worker died every 96 minutes from work-related injuries in 2022. In 2021, this figure was 101 minutes.
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Racial minorities are more likely to encounter fatal work injuries compared to White Americans. The fatal injury rate of all workers was 3.7 per 100,000 workers. However, the fatal injury rate for Black or African American, and Hispanic or Latino workers in 2022 were 4.2 and 4.6 per 100,000 workers respectively. One of the reasons for this difference in fatal work injuries is that racial minorities often end up taking dangerous jobs that most people refrain from.
When we think of the most dangerous jobs in the world, the image of a delivery worker or material moving worker might rarely come to mind. However, the most dangerous occupations, it seems are related to transportation. Transportation and material moving occupations had the most fatalities in 2022, with a rate of 14.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers. There was also a 6.4% increase in fatalities in the transportation and material moving occupations between 2021 and 2022, as they increased from 1,523 in 2021 to 1,620 in 2022. The second most dangerous job in the world is related to transportation.
Transportation-related incidents were the most frequent type of fatal accidents, accounting for 37.7% of all occupational fatalities in 2022. There were a total of 2066 occupational fatal injuries from transportation incidents in 2022. Among both racial minorities more prone to work fatalities, transportation incidents were the highest cause of fatalities. In 2022, 278 Black workers and 439 Hispanic workers incurred transportation incidents that led to occupational fatalities.
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In our piece about the 26 most dangerous jobs in the world, we discussed how negligence has cost the lives of workers in the workplace. This corporate negligence has also often had devastating impacts on others in the area where they operate.
One of the events of corporate negligence that resulted in worker fatalities occurred in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City. As is the case with most occurrences of corporate negligence, its owners prioritized profits over the well-being of the workers, which took 146 lives, mostly of Italian and Jewish immigrants in 1911. A fire that started on the eighth floor engulfed the factory. Closed entrances and a lack of proper safety measures lead to the death of workers.
Another horrific event of corporate negligence took place in Bhopal, India, in 1984. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy remains one of the most devastating industrial disasters in History. An American chemical company that operated by the name of Union Carbide operated a pesticide plant in Bhopal. However, lack of proper safety standards, inadequate employee training, and poor equipment maintenance led to a massive leak of methyl isocyanate, leading to the death of thousands in the city. In addition, many people suffer lifelong health issues.
The good news for today’s workers is that these tragic events catalyzed significant changes in labor laws and regulations that emphasize workplace safety standards. Some companies like Honeywell International Inc (NASDAQ: HON) are dedicated to ensuring workers’ safety through their products. They offer Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and offer training and expert guidance to train and guide employees.
With that backdrop, let’s look at 15 dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more.
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Methodology
To Curate our list of the 15 Dangerous Jobs That Pay $75,000 or more, we looked at several sources on the Internet as well as our own list of the most dangerous jobs in the world to compile a list of dangerous jobs. Then, we used data from the US Census Bureau to determine the median annual income and only selected jobs that paid more than $75,000 each year. We ranked the jobs according to how much they pay, rather than how dangerous they are.
Please note that like our list of the most dangerous jobs in the world, this one also does not include any military or security contractors job. These jobs, despite what is commonly believed, have a fatality rate which is much lower than many civilian professions.
15 – Police Officers
Median Annual Income – $75,312
The job of a Police officer ranks 15th on our list of dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more. There is an inherent danger in police work as it involves dealing with and responding to violent situations. Some of the risks involving police work include physical harm and exposure to hazardous substances. It also involves navigating these hazardous situations almost every day. The fatal injury rate among police officers is 14 per 100,000, which makes it one of the most dangerous professions.
14 – Firefighters
Median Annual Income – $77,897
Despite what most people believe, firefighters are well paid as, according to the US Census Bureau, their median annual income is more than $77,000. However, their job involves a high degree of risk, which prevents people from pursuing this career.
A firefighter is always exposed to the risk of personal physical injury. They are susceptible to several fatal accidents, such as burns, smoke inhalation, and crushing under collapsing structures. In addition, firefighters may also suffer heat exhaustion and long-term illnesses such as asthma and heart disease.
13 – Registered Nurse
Median Annual Income – $78,932
To the surprise of many, nursing is a high-risk job. However, registered nurses earned a median income of almost $79,000 in 2022, making it one of the well-paid professions.
The profession of nursing comes with inherent risks, such as being regularly exposed to contagious diseases and injuries. They can encounter these risks in ambulances, hospitals, and nursing homes. Nurses were among the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the International Council of Nurses, 1,500 nurses had died by September 20, 2020, from Covid-19.
12 – Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Median Annual Income – $79,756
The job of railroad conductors and yardmasters is one of the most dangerous ones. The job of all train crew is equally dangerous, but this one pays better than most, which is why it is part of our list of the 15 Dangerous Jobs That Pay $75,000 or More. Conductors are susceptible to the risk of being involved in train accidents and may be exposed to various hazards.
11 – Ship and Boat Captains and Operators
Median Annual Income – $81,238
Ship and boat captains and operators rank 11th on our list of the 15 dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more. Setting sail has some of its inherent dangers that ship and boat captains and operators are regularly exposed to.
10 – Construction Managers
Median Annual Income – $84,670
The job of a construction manager is among the top 10 dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 and more. The risk of their job stems from the dangers of construction job sites. Sometimes construction managers have to get hands-on in their construction projects, becoming susceptible to hazards that other construction workers might face.
Some of the potential risks of their job can stem from mishandling equipment, electrical issues, and environmental hazards. The risk of falling down and potentially incurring injuries is also very much present in a construction-related job.
9 – Locomotive Engineers and Operators
Median Annual Income – $88,959
Locomotive Engineers and Operators earned a median income of almost $89,000 in 2022, landing them in the 9th position on our list of dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more.
Some of the risks of the job stem from the physical dangers of working on a locomotive. However, workers belonging to this occupation are also at an increased risk of developing cancer later in their lives because of decades of exposure to toxins.
8 – Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Median Annual Income – $91,309
The job of detectives and criminal investigators is quite dangerous because of the inherent risks and complications of the job. Detectives might often find themselves in situations where they are susceptible to attack from another individual. Their detective work also requires being in dangerous places.
Criminal investigators, on the other hand, will often come into contact with criminals and violent individuals. There is always a risk of potential conflict with the person being investigated, which might result in fatality. It is all these risks that make the job of detectives and criminal investigators a well-paid one. They earn a median of $91,309, landing at the 8th position on our list of dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more.
7 – Electrical and Electronics Repairers
Median Annual Income – $95,688
With a median annual income of $95,688, electrician and electronics repairer ranks seventh on our list of dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more. Their work is one of the most dangerous as it involves handling live electrical circuits. The risk of getting electrocuted is always present in their job.
6 – Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
Median Annual Income – $100,748
Elevators and escalator installers and repairers earn more than $100,000 per year, landing them in the 6th position on our list of the 15 dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more. They face the potential risk of physical injury either by falling or collision as they install and repair elevators and escalators.
5 – Firefighting Supervisors
Median Annual Income – $105,051
The job of a firefighting supervisor is dangerous for the same reason that the job of a firefighter is. It involves the risk of physical harm and potential injury. They are susceptible to the threat of fire burns, smoke inhalation, and explosions. However, one of the lesser-known dangers that firefighting supervisors face is that of traffic accidents. They often have to rush to their assignments to prevent as much damage as they can, which makes them vulnerable to traffic accidents.
4 – Nuclear Engineer
Median Annual Income – $105,055
The job of nuclear engineer ranks fourth on our list of dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more. This position might require an individual to work with nuclear material, which has potential long-term and immediate risks. Immediate risks stem from the potential of an accident or malfunction. However, long-term health risks steming from minor exposure to radioactive material are more common.
3 – Mining and Geological Engineers
Median Annual Income – $108,090
The job of mining and geological engineers is among the top 3 on our list of dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more. These engineers are often required to inspect areas of unsafe geological conditions, which can potentially lead to physical harm and injury.
2 – Veterinarians
Median Annual Income – $121,562
It might be surprising for some people to learn that the job of a veterinarian is one of the most dangerous in the world. However, with a median annual earning of $121,562, this profession is the runner-up on our list of the 15 dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more. Vets face the risk of encountering bites or scratches from violent and sick animals, some of which can prove to be deadly. In addition, vets may also be required to treat poisonous animals such as snakes, increasing the danger at their job.
1 – Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers
Median Annual Income – $1,31,647
Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers top our list of the 15 dangerous jobs that pay $75,000 or more. With a fatal injury rate of 53 per 100,000, it is also the second most dangerous job in the world.
These pilots and flight engineers have challenging responsibilities for the lives of their passengers and the safety of cargo. They operate complex machinery and a slight mistake can cost them their lives along with many others. Aircraft pilots also navigate intricate systems and unpredictable and challenging weather conditions.
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Disclosure: None. 15 Dangerous Jobs That Pay $75,000 or More is originally published on Insider Monkey.
