Work can be stressful, but some jobs offer work-life balance, less emotional stress and solid paychecks.
Find out whether your job is among the most low-stress careers, according to experts, and how it compares with other low-stress careers from U.S. News' 100 Best Jobs ranking. Many of these positions also offer above-average median incomes, which can help relieve financial stress. Data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Actuary
Median salary: $113,990
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Expected job growth by 2032: 23.2%
Actuaries use math and statistics to evaluate risk for insurance firms and financial organizations. “While the position demands precision and considerable expertise, it is generally perceived as low stress due to an organized structure and predictable workload,” wrote Mike Horne, executive coach and organization development consultant at Leadership Acts, in an email. Plus, actuaries typically work regular hours and don’t have to be on call.
Learn more about actuaries.
Audiologist
Median salary: $82,680
Education needed: Doctoral or professional degree
Expected job growth by 2032: 10.6%
Audiologists’ tasks and job responsibilities typically involve diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders, which are often conducted in a calm and controlled setting. “The combination of a structured work environment, the opportunity to make a positive impact on their patients’ lives and the satisfaction of helping others make audiology a relatively low-stress profession,” Natalie Rosado, a licensed mental health counselor and expert on the Sanity & Self self-care app, said in an email.
Learn more about audiologists.
Choreographer
Median salary: $50,990
Education needed: High school diploma or equivalent
Expected job growth by 2032: 5%
Choreographers create original dance movements and routines for performances and productions. Many work on a freelance basis and earn a fixed fee for individual projects. Because of this flexibility, choreographer is considered a low-stress career path. “Jobs with reduced stress tend to be those that offer the most autonomy, allowing workers control over where, when and how they work," wrote Kelly Roehm, career consultant and a senior certified professional by the Society of Human Resources Management, in an email. "This often looks like gig work and other roles that don't require a standard 9-to-5 clock-in.”
Learn more about choreographers.