If we had the choice, many of us would likely never do a day’s work in our lives, let alone work in one of the most stressful jobs in America, according to our 2014 list. Yet most of us don’t have the luxury of living a carefree (and work-free life), we have bills to pay, family to take care of, and require money to live a happy and fulfilling life. Thus, even stressful jobs can actually be in demand, as the very nature of their stressful work makes them higher paying than more idyllic positions.
Of course, stress is also largely subjective, and a job that may stress out one person, could be totally stress-free for another. So by no means should anyone automatically avoid the most stressful jobs in America as found on our 2014 list; just be wary that in general, they have a higher stress level than other positions. If after reading this countdown you’d like detailed descriptions on a few more of the most stressful jobs in the world, check out our feature on 11 Most Stressful Jobs in America. We checked several articles before compiling our list. Some of them suggested that air traffic controllers or teachers have more stressful jobs. Our source didn’t list air traffic controllers or teachers.
We gathered data from a recent publication by Forbes which ranked jobs according to their stress factor. Along with a description of the position, we’ve also listed each position’s median salary (which half of all workers make more than, and half less), to allow for easy judging of whether the position pays well enough considering the stress involved.
Now then, let’s begin our list of the most stressful jobs in America, beginning with a position that many people would likely not expect to be on it.
10. Taxi Driver
Median salary: $23,000
Driving is actually one of the most stressful jobs you can perform, though it may otherwise seem rather simplistic and rudimentary in nature. A taxi driver is stressed whenever on the job, as driving is all about focusing, calculating and making the perfect decisions at every moment. There’s also the stress of driving around with strangers all day, having to know the city inside and out, and waiting for the next call and wondering when it will come; especially stressful when you need a big paycheck that week.
9. Police Officer
Median salary: $55,000
A police officer is quite unsurprisingly among the people who have some of the most stressful work in America and the world. Officers are under pressure whenever they’re on duty, as they are the ones who ensure the security and safety of ordinary citizens, and most deal with the constant threat of knowing they could be danger at all times.
8. Newspaper Reporter
Median salary: $36,000
Finding and uncovering stories to report on, and then doing so exceptionally well, all while meeting tight deadlines is always daunting, and this is the trauma that reporters must endure each and every day to retain their positions. The stress must be overwhelming when they simply can’t find a good story and don’t know how they’ll ever find another one.
7. Senior Corporate Executive
Median salary: $168,000
This position is very important, as an entire company and workforce’s existence is relying them, which makes these positions extremely stressful. Executives much manage all facets of the company, and not only have an eye on the present, but on the future as well. As times, they are also forced to make difficult decisions, like letting staff go, the guilt of which would keep most people up at night.
6. Public Relations Executive
Median salary: $54,000
Public relations executives often struggle to keep the public informed, and the company’s image positive. It is after all extremely difficult to make everyone happy, and this is ultimately the job of the public relations executive, who must face the media and public during good and bad times, and conduct damage control. That stress of constantly feeling like you’re fighting an uphill battle, is very difficult.
5. Event Coordinator
Median salary: $46,000
Managing anything is always challenging and it’s no different when it comes to event management. At present, events are becoming massive in terms of money spent, and the intricacy and perfection expected of events, which are meant to provide the attendees with memorable experiences to last their lifetimes. Constantly being on the spot to deliver on those promises makes event coordinating a stressful position.
4. Airline Pilot
Median salary: $114,000
Among the most stressful jobs in America, the job of an airline pilot is near the top (no pun intended). Airline pilots risk their lives every single time they fly, but more than that, the lives of each and every one of their passengers is also in their hands. Needless to say, it is very easy to see why this job is very stressful.
3. Fire Fighter
Median salary: $45,000
Firefighters do a great, and at the same time extremely risky, job. Their job is ranked as third among the most stressful jobs in America. They put their life on the line every time they fight a fire, and bear the burden of trying to save people’s homes and business, their very livelihoods, and often their lives. The stress from this job can not be easily washed away with a splash of cold water on the face.
2. Military General
Median salary: $196,000
Military generals are the leaders of our armed forces. They are very experienced, and multi-talented decision makers, responsible for whatever happens in the security of the country. Their decisions can have a huge impact on national and even international security issues, the stress from which must be like having a tank crushing you beneath its treads. Yet, as you’ll see, the men under them have it even worse.
1. Enlisted Military Personnel
Median salary: $29,000
Enlisted military personnel is ranked as the most stressful job of 2014. Whether in wartime or peace, on active duty or reserve, the soldier’s life is never an easy or carefree one. When off-duty, they must live to strict standards, and endure constant physical and psychological pressure to prepare them for the possibility of facing enemy fire in battle. Needless to say, it’s even worse when they’re on active duty, and engaged in combat that could claim their lives, or force them to take the lives of others at any moment. That is the kind of stress that no payment is worth, but that soldiers do for the protection of their countries.
