Stressful jobs can be fulfilling when they make a difference – in people’s health, public safety or a company's bottom line. And high-stress jobs often come with high pay.
But before jumping at a big paycheck, there's more to consider. "A generous salary can initially sound appealing, but it can also come with hidden costs, such as additional stress, compromises to your personal life and strains on your physical and mental health," Kimiko Ebata, career coach at Ki Coaching LLC, said in an email. "Before making a decision, pause to consider if an opportunity is helping you build the life you want or if it’s just funding it."
Find out whether your job is among the most stressful careers and how it compares with other high-stress professions in the U.S. News 100 Best Jobs ranking. We selected the top 15 jobs with high stress, which takes into consideration the pace of work, physical work conditions and work review frequency by supervisors. Data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
15. Medical Records Technician
Median salary: $48,780
Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
Expected job growth by 2033: 8.7%
Also known as coding specialists, medical records technicians work with electronic health records systems to organize, update and retrieve medical data for health care providers. This profession can be stressful since you’re responsible for the accuracy and confidentiality of sensitive patient information.
14. Registered Nurse
Median salary: $86,070
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Expected job growth by 2033: 6%
Registered nurses' responsibilities include administering medications, monitoring patient conditions, coordinating with doctors and educating patients on managing their health. Their job is both physically and emotionally demanding due to long shifts, constantly being in high-stress situations and caring for patients who are experiencing pain and distress.
13. Delivery Truck Driver
Median salary: $42,470
Education required: High school diploma
Expected job growth by 2033: 8.8%
Delivery truck drivers rank No. 11 among the Best Social Services Jobs. They transport packages, merchandise and equipment throughout cities or regions. This job can be stressful since you must adhere to strict delivery schedules. Spending hours in traffic and loading and unloading cargo can also be physically demanding.
You don’t need a college degree to become a delivery truck driver since most employers offer in-house training.
12. Nurse Practitioner
Median salary: $126,260
Education required: Master’s degree
Expected job growth by 2033: 46.3%
Nurse practitioners rank No. 1 among the 100 Best Jobs, the Best STEM Jobs and the Best Health Care Jobs.
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with additional education, which allows them to take patient histories, perform physical exams, order labs, prescribe medicine and even authorize treatment plans.
Due to the high-stakes nature of their profession, irregular hours and their frequent exposure to patient trauma and suffering, nurse practitioners often confront extreme stress.