US$201,000 per year: The least stressful jobs in the world pay handsomely

Before you consider pursuing a degree, you might stop to wonder: Will your degree lead to a stressful job?

The corporate world can be a cesspool of stressors: harsh managers, picky colleagues, office politics, difficult clients, and more.

At some point, handling the people in your workplace can prove to be more stressful than the job itself. 

It’s not uncommon for young working adults nowadays to sit back and reflect, thinking, “Is this really all there is to life now?” 

Of course, not every job will have your nose to the grinder. Many people yearn for the least stressful jobs available, seeking a healthy work-life balance with a kind manager, great colleagues, and a generous salary. 

Unfortunately, not many such jobs are out there, especially if you’re looking for one that ticks all the boxes above. 

But perhaps if you had a passion for it, it may not be as stressful as you think. 

Work and passion — how are they related?

Those who work long hours and are committed to their job yet enjoy every minute of it are labelled “passionate.”

But for their peers who find little to no joy in what they do and are unable to build a passion for it, they are most likely just stressed and burned out. 

Finding passion and making it your life’s work isn’t easy either. Some people say that you shouldn’t turn your passion into your source of income because when the line between passion and commitment blurs, that passion may turn into stress instead.

Picture this scenario: Amy loves teaching children, and applies to become a kindergarten teacher. But after a few months, she eventually realises that the job is not just about teaching – it’s also about handling difficult children, talking to fussy parents, and navigating office politics. 

Soon, stress sets in, and she starts dreading going to work. Eventually, she quits her job and goes into a completely different industry just to escape.

Jane, on the other hand, has always been passionate about digital art and landed a job as a graphic designer at a local agency. Day in and day out, client requests come pouring in, changes constantly have to be made, and little to no creative freedom is allowed. 

But she remains level-headed, handling each client efficiently and viewing each experience as a stepping stone to building her resume. A year later, she’s the head designer, running her own team and mentoring her colleagues. 

Many like Amy start out passionate and fully committed to their work, whether as a side hustle or a full-time position. But the line between passion and stress is razor thin, and not many end up like Jane, carrying their passions through till the end. 

Ultimately, it also boils down to how an individual chooses to navigate their personal views on their job.

Why do some people thrive in a fast-paced environment with long hours and difficult clients? Why are some bored with a relaxing desk job that allows them to come in late and go home early? 

Defining stress – it’s different for every individual

Everyone has different views on their career aspirations, and they strive to achieve different things.

Of course, certain fields are stressful. STEM-related fields are always difficult, or working 70 hours a week at competitive, rapid-growth companies or startups. 

Here are some examples of the industries with the most stressful jobs out there:

Medical and emergency 

Doctors, nurses, surgeons, paramedics and others. Unlike marketing and sales, these guys are actually saving lives, which can put a whole lot of stress on an individual. 

Aviation

No, there’s no such thing as pressing an “Autopilot” button and relaxing in a cushy chair for the rest of the flight. While thousands of feet in the air, pilots have to respond to changes in the weather, flight paths, and other aircraft systems and attend to passenger emergencies such as health complications or threats of violence.

Journalism

These caffeine powerhouses go through each day learning and writing about the latest news and topics, sometimes working directly with crime forces and emergency services and risking their own lives in the process. 

Finance

Everyone knows that finance is a lucrative industry, but it’s also a stressful one. One must constantly stay updated on financial trends and make changes according to the volatility of the markets. 

Regardless of industry, what makes a job go from stressful to enjoyable are the people you work with and how the company is managed. 

Someone who yearns to climb the corporate ladder may find a mundane, boring company culture stressful. Even if they want to take the initiative, their colleagues may not share the same sentiments, which can hinder their personal progress in the long run. 

On the other hand – and perhaps the most common – people find jobs with difficult management and colleagues stressful, especially if they don’t receive the support they need to navigate their challenges. 

Jobs with the highest burnout rates

This may come as a shock, but the job with the highest burnout rate in the US is not STEM-related.

According to a study done by PsychologyJobs.com, educators were found to be the most burnt out. The study used LinkedIn to analyse the average median tenure in over 4000 companies in over 400 sub-industries.

It was found that the education industry experiences the most burnout, with an average median of 2.88 years. This is especially true for K-12 teachers, with over 52% having reported feeling this way.

Technology, Information, and Media is the second industry with the highest burnout rates. This line of work experiences a median tenure of 3.41 years which is 43% faster than other industries. Mass tech layoffs and the demand to keep up with technology trends contribute to the exhaustion among IT professionals.

Real estate and equipment rental services and administrative and support services come in third place, with an average median tenure of 3.91 years. 

Following closely behind is:

• Retail with an average median tenure of 4.06
• Accommodation Services with an average median tenure of 4.36
• Construction with an average median tenure of 4.71
• Entertainment Providers with an average median tenure of 4.79
• Financial Services with an average median tenure of 4.83
• Professional Services with an average median tenure of 5.31

Key tip: don’t let your job stress you out. We know it’s easier said and done, and it comes with practice. Maintain work boundaries, stay an arm’s length away, and manage your emotions. If you’re in marketing or sales, you’re probably not saving lives, so there’s no need to feel like you are. 

If you’re still keen on learning more about the least stressful jobs out there, check out our list below.

Six of the least stressful jobs on the market, with salaries

Salary information is taken from Glassdoor. 

Massage therapist

Median salary: US$104,000-US$194,000/year

The health and wellness sector is always growing. The demand for massage therapists is projected to increase by about 20% by 2032. 

There’s little to stress about when you’re sitting in a dimly lit room filled with the scent of jasmine essential oil while surrounded by gentle music and ambient sounds. And the best part is that your client will most likely be too tired or relaxed to make ongoing conversation.

This Reddit user shared their experience working as a massage therapist, saying, “I see a maximum of five members of the general public; most of the day, I’m in a room doing my thing. If you work at a franchise you don’t even need to worry about booking appointments for yourself, the front deck just does it for you, you get paid a decent wage, and you get tips!” 

Dietitian 

Median salary: US$$72,000-US$116,000/year

A report by the World Health Organisation revealed recently that one in eight people are obese. The number of obese adults has more than doubled since 1990 and has quadrupled among children and adolescents. Obesity is also the leading cause of health complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues and other health issues.

This creates the need for skilled dieticians to help individuals and families lead healthier lives and meet their health-related goals. The job scope is pretty relaxed, and it usually involves meal planning, weight management, and health advice to clients.

At the most, they’ll probably just have to deal with hangry clients.

Recreation and fitness trainer

Median salary: US$51,000-US$92,000/year

Working in recreation and fitness can include roles such as yoga or pilates instructors, gym trainers, dance teachers, swimming coaches, and more. Clients will include people of all ages, and the job scope is simple – keep them active and healthy.

As a bonus, working in fitness and recreation means that you will constantly be engaging in physical activity throughout the day, which can inherently be stress-relieving and energising. Not only do you get to work in one of the least stressful jobs out there, but you’ll also stay fit doing it.

Audiologist

Median salary: US$111,000 – US$201,000/year

One of the least stressful jobs in the healthcare industry. 

The job scope usually revolves around diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders and also involves psychologically assessing the effect of hearing damage on a patient before starting treatment.

Those earwax removal videos on TikTok? Yeah, that’s part of the job, which can be either kind of gross or extremely satisfying, depending on how you look at it.

Sessions are often conducted in quiet, calm environments, meaning there is no hustle and bustle to worry about.

Pet grooming/boarding

Median salary: US$64,000 – US$117,000/year

If you love animals but don’t want to deal with the stress of dealing with them medically, perhaps consider becoming a pet groomer – it’s definitely one of the least stressful jobs in the animal field. 

Spending time with animals can be a therapeutic and enjoyable experience. However, you will need to understand animal behaviour, be able to navigate it, and have sufficient training before you begin this role. You wouldn’t want your client’s poodle to come out looking like a naked molerat. 

Some animals may struggle or become aggressive during the grooming or boarding process, which can sometimes be troublesome. But for the most part, dealing with fluffy cats, big friendly dogs, and the occasional gerbil on a daily basis still seems like a pretty stress-free job.

Sonographer 

Median salary: US$94,000 – US$142,000/year

Possibly the least stressful job in the healthcare industry. Being a diagnostic medical sonographer means you’ll have to work with multiple body types – and being okay with seeing and touching them.

Sonographers use imaging equipment and soundwaves to form images of many body parts, known as ultrasounds. They then analyse the results and pinpoint issues for the patient. 

Many think sonographers primarily work with maternity or gynaecology-related cases, but they also actively work to diagnose patient traumas, detect blockages in cardiology-related issues and more.