Dealing With Work Stress: The Top 10 Most and Least Stressful Jobs

The most stressful jobs

While most jobs involve some level of workplace stress, certain roles demand a much higher tolerance for pressure. According to O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor’s occupational database, the following jobs ranked among the highest in 2025 for “stress tolerance,” which is defined as the need to accept criticism and remain calm in high-pressure situations.

Here are 10 of the most stressful jobs, along with their O*NET stress-tolerance importance scores (on a 0-100 scale, where higher scores indicate a greater need to manage stressful circumstances):

1. Film and video editors (99)
2. Anesthesiologist assistants (98)
3. Judges, magistrate judges and magistrates (98)
4. Urologists (98)
5. Public safety telecommunicators (96)
6. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers (96)
7. Nurse anesthetists (96)
8. Obstetricians and gynecologists (92)
9. Acute care nurses (91)
10. Telephone operators (88)

Note: These scores measure how often workers in these fields are expected to handle stress calmly and effectively. They don’t account for every factor that can contribute to workplace stress, such as long hours, emotional demands or risk of employee burnout.

The least stressful jobs

On the other end of the spectrum, some occupations scored much lower on O*NET’s stress-tolerance scale. These jobs still carry responsibilities, but they typically involve fewer high-pressure situations or a steadier, more predictable work pace.

Here are 10 of the least stressful jobs, with their O*NET stress-tolerance importance scores (0-100, where lower scores indicate less stress tolerance required):

1. Diagnostic medical sonographers (70)
2. Compliance officers (70)
3. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health (71)
4. Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians (72)
5. Mathematical science occupations (72)
6. Cartographers and photogrammetrists (73)
7. Web developers (74)
8. Computer numerically controlled tool operators (74)
9. Environmental engineering technologists and technicians (74)
10. Agricultural engineers (74)

Many of these roles allow people to focus on their work without facing constant high-pressure situations. An HR compliance officer or cartographer, for example, spends much of the day focused on details and procedures. Jobs like diagnostic medical sonographer or agricultural engineer still carry responsibility, but the pace is typically steadier than in many other healthcare or technical positions.

What makes a job stressful?

While it’s clear that roles involving frequent public interaction or life-or-death decisions can be stressful, many other factors also contribute to burnout and pressure.

Here are some common reasons certain jobs are more stressful than others:

• Time pressure: strict deadlines and heavy workloads
• Visibility: working in the public eye and facing constant scrutiny
• Competition and control: competitive environments with little decision-making power
• Physical and emotional demands: tough conditions, hazards or high emotional stakes
• Risks and responsibility: legal risks, threats to one’s own safety or responsibility for others’ lives
• Career challenges: limited pay, few growth opportunities or poor management

Stress looks different across professions. Journalists and broadcasters, for instance, may not face physical danger, but the relentless deadlines, shrinking job opportunities and legal risks add up. In contrast, police officers, healthcare providers and members of the military often carry the heavy responsibility of protecting lives and safety.

Many of the most stressful jobs are also some of the most essential to society — whether that means keeping communities safe, ensuring justice or providing accurate information people rely on every day.

Stress shows up differently depending on the role, but researchers point to several common culprits. Let’s look at some of the biggest factors in more detail, starting with working conditions.

Working conditions

One of the biggest influences on workplace stress is the environment itself. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) notes that certain working conditions — often called job stressors — can directly affect employees’ health and safety. Some of the most common stress-inducing conditions include:

• Task design: Heavy workloads, long hours, shift work or repetitive tasks that feel meaningless and limit workers’ sense of control.
• Management style: Poor communication, an ineffective organizational structure, little input into decision-making or a lack of family-friendly policies.
• Interpersonal relationships: Limited support from co-workers or supervisors and a hostile social environment.
• Work roles: Confusing job expectations, conflicting demands or too many responsibilities at once.
• Career concerns: Job insecurity, few opportunities for growth or promotion, and rapid changes without enough preparation.
• Environmental factors: Crowded, noisy or unsafe conditions, including air pollution or ergonomic problems.

Micromanagement

Beyond the physical environment, the way managers lead also plays a big role in stress levels. When supervisors insist on approving every decision and email, work slows down and frustration builds. Occasional check-ins make sense — especially during employee onboarding and when new hires are still learning the ropes — but if micromanagement becomes ingrained in the company culture, it wears down company morale and undermines trust.

“Lack of freedom around decisions can make you feel restricted when it comes to your autonomy,” Marni Amsellem, a licensed psychologist and the founder of Smart Health Psychology, told us. “When [employees] feel overmanaged, it undermines their value and what they’re able to contribute, and that is going to create tension.”

Ethical leaders build trust by empowering their teams and giving employees room to succeed, which makes micromanagement less of an issue.

Distractions

Even in supportive workplaces, everyday interruptions can pile on their own kind of stress. Getting “in the zone” and knocking out assignments back-to-back can be satisfying. But even small interruptions — a quick text, a chat with a co-worker, an email ping — can break focus, slow progress and raise stress levels. 

When workplace distractions pile up, it’s harder for employees to stay on track and meet deadlines. Creating an environment that limits unnecessary interruptions helps workers stay focused and manage their workload more effectively.

Lack of communication and feedback

When managers don’t share feedback — positive or negative — employees are left guessing whether they’re meeting expectations. That uncertainty creates stress and can chip away at productivity. Open, two-way communication clears up confusion and helps employees feel more confident in their work, reducing the anxiety that comes from silence.

Low salaries and limited opportunities for advancement

Low pay creates stress that goes far beyond the workplace. Struggling to cover basic expenses takes a toll, and when a job also lacks opportunities for growth, employees often feel undervalued and stuck. Over time, that combination can lead to frustration, burnout and even depression. 

Modern workplace trends

Shifts in the economy and rapid advances in technology continue to introduce new stressors for employees. Remote work is a good example: While some people thrive working from home, others may struggle with the lack of camaraderie or feedback.

“When the balance tips toward more time alone and more time working in a non-working environment, connection and human interaction can drop, and this has a detrimental impact on our well-being,” said Camilla Rogers, burnout and ADHD coach and founder of fifty50 Coaching. “We also lose out on vital opportunities to learn and absorb collective energy and insights into our jobs and the company we work for.”

Technology can add another layer of stress. For example, tools like artificial intelligence (AI) can boost efficiency but also bring uncertainty. The APA’s 2025 Work in America survey (cited earlier) found that more employees are using AI weekly than ever before, yet many (including 43 percent of managers and 40 percent of frontline workers) feel anxious about how it will affect their roles. 

The Brookings Institution also projects that more than 30 percent of workers could see half of their tasks disrupted by generative AI, and 85 percent could see at least 10 percent of their work impacted. Without clear policies or training, employees may feel unprepared to adapt, which can heighten stress and fuel fears about job instability.

Effects of healthy and unhealthy job stress

Not all stress is bad; it exists on a spectrum. As Amsellem explained, healthy stress can provide motivation, helping employees complete daily tasks and reach goals. But when stress becomes overwhelming or constant, it can quickly turn harmful.

When anxiety dominates someone’s daily thoughts, that’s a sign the stress they’re under is unhealthy. Chronic workplace stress has been linked to:

• High blood pressure
• Weakened immune function
• Heartburn
• Insomnia or fatigue
• Weight gain
• Headaches or stomachaches
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability

Over time, prolonged stress means combating burnout — a state of mental, emotional and physical exhaustion. Jobs that involve constant interaction with people, such as emergency services, are especially vulnerable to burnout. But isolation can be just as harmful. Employees who carry a heavy workload on their own without adequate support are also at risk.

How to manage stress at work

Finding healthy ways to cope with stress is essential, but the right approach often depends on the nature of your job. If your work is physically demanding, it may help to unwind with activities that give your body a break, such as reading or meditation. But if you spend most of the day sitting, vigorous exercise can be an effective way to release tension.

The Mayo Clinic recommends several evidence-based strategies for managing stress, including maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. Practices like meditation, mindfulness and relaxation activities have also been shown to help lower stress levels.

The following additional recommendations can help you manage stress as a business owner or employee and boost productivity.

Manage your time efficiently.

Few things are more frustrating than an unfinished to-do list. The problem isn’t always you — sometimes it’s the way the list is set up. Instead of writing down an entire project as one task, break it into smaller, manageable steps. Start with the most critical elements and set daily goals that you can reasonably finish. This approach helps you stay on schedule, reduce errors and finish projects without feeling completely overwhelmed.

Set boundaries.

With smartphones and remote work, it’s easier than ever for the office to creep into personal time. Without clear boundaries, it can be difficult to disconnect and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

“Burnout isn’t a badge of honour; it’s more synonymous with overwhelm or overwork,” Rogers cautioned. “Burnout is serious, and employers must equip staff with skills and tools to be aware of the causes and how to prevent it.”

Simple steps can help. If an email or call comes in after hours, resist the urge to respond. Removing work email from your phone or using a separate work device you can shut off at the end of the day creates space to recharge. Finding ways to incorporate employee breaks gives you the focus and energy you need when it’s time to work again.

Find positive responses.

Stress is a fact of life, and while we can’t eliminate it entirely, we can control how we respond. Everyone has different patterns when they feel overwhelmed, so the first step is recognizing your own.

According to the Mayo Clinic’s stress management guidelines, effective techniques include guided meditation, deep breathing and connecting with others. One exercise the Mayo Clinic recommends is breathing in for five seconds, holding for two and releasing for five — a simple way to trigger your body’s relaxation response.

“Often, we need to acknowledge that our conditioning and historic patterns and behaviors may not be serving us,” Rogers explained. “Getting really clear on habits and the actions you take to support yourself — and identifying whether they are healthy (sleeping, exercising, connecting with others) or unhealthy (overeating, overdrinking, overexercising) — can help you to build your resilience reserves.”

Once you understand your stress patterns, make a conscious effort to swap unhealthy coping strategies for healthier ones. For example, avoid relying on junk food or alcohol to calm anxiety. Instead, exercise, enjoy a hobby, or spend time with family and friends. “The key is to engage in healthy activities that bring you peace and explore outlets that are social, physical or creative,” Amsellem added.

If stress feels overwhelming, talking with a healthcare professional can help you find personalized strategies. “Coaching is fantastic support here as it can help you create new neural pathways and habits that support recovery and effective stress management,” Rogers said.

The future of stressful jobs

Workplace stress will always be part of the job, though the sources of that stress change as the world of work evolves. For example, a decade ago, few imagined remote work, Zoom burnout or other everyday realities we now take for granted. Tomorrow’s workforce will face new challenges, but also new tools and strategies for balance. While stress is unavoidable, business owners, managers and employees alike can take steps to minimize its impact and create healthier, more productive workplaces that prioritize employee well-being and happiness.

Casey Conway contributed to this article. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.