30+ Most Stressful Jobs On The Planet

1. Enlisted military personnel - and it doesn't end when you retire...

Image source/Radio Free EuropeEvery job comes with some degree of stress, but when the lives of other people are placed in your hands, this is most likely the ultimate stress. All too often, this job includes killing or being killed, alongside witnessing some unimaginable acts of violence an horror. Unlike most jobs, when you finish this job the suffering doesn't end. Many soldiers who make it home have to battle with PTSD, which often leads to suicide.

2. Commercial pilot - so many lives in your hands

Image source/BetterteamWhen your job requires you to be in control of a several hundred ton object carrying hundreds of passengers, flying up 500mph at over 30,000ft, it may come as no shock why they are under such high amounts of stress. Despite being one of the best paying jobs on this list, it is by far one of the most stressful jobs you can have.

3. Surgeon - HUGE responsibility!

Image source/BBCFor some people, it can be easy to look at the average salary a surgeon makes and disregard the immense stress it comes with. Your Job is literally cutting people up in order to save their lives. They are solely responsible for the persons life, knowing that one little lapse of concentration over the several hour long operation can result in death. Imagine having this responsibility every day of your life.

4. Firefighter - There's no escaping danger

Image source/The New YorkerFirefighters are literally paid to run into burning buildings. While this may seem like some peoples definition of hell, many brave men and women have to run the opposite direction to the rest, and rescue whoever they can from the inferno. In addition, when there are no fires, many firefighters are licensed EMTs and assist the police at accident scenes. There is no escaping danger as a firefighter, which is probably why there is such high amounts of stress.

5. Nurse - You'll never be off your feet

Image source/ToughNickelIt is common knowledge that almost all hospitals are understaffed and extremely busy. So it makes an already stressful job of a nurse even more stressful. Whilst they are running around trying to determine who's a priority to treat and who needs to see who, they are surrounded by trauma and all sorts of unpleasant sights. It is no surprise this job is so stressful

6. Newspaper Reporter - No days off

Image source/QuilletteBeing a newspaper reporter is not easy. The job has very long and unpredictable hours, covering all kinds of stories, not to mention the low pay. It isn't a shock to be woken up in the middle of the night to cover a major accident or a murder which has taken place. The best reporters are never really off duty, they can't afford to slip up.

7. Police officer - The pressure is on!

Image source/24newshdSimilar to a firefighter, Police officers are usually working in high risk situations, often having to deal with life threatening situations. They're targets are normally the most dangerous in society, ranging from murderers, to organised crime gangs to even terrorist organisations. Life as a police officer comes with a lot of stress.

8. Event coordinator - The not-so-fun side of events

Image source/The Balance Small BusinessIt can be stressful trying to arrange for you and a few of your pals to go to cinema, so the stress of having a put together an event with several hundred guests would be extreme. Ensuring all aspects run smoothly is a hard enough task, but when there is zero room for error, it makes this job all the more stressful.

9. Chef - More than just cooking food

Image source/The Balance CareersBeing a chef can be extremely stressful, especially when working in a demanding kitchen. The pressure of serving perfectly cooked food to multiple customers all whilst fighting against the clock would be too much for many people. Chefs also are regularly working long, unsociable hours with no rests.

10. Teacher - Responsible for shaping young minds

Image source/EdutopiaYou may be shocked with this one as you think to yourself, "what is so stressful about 6 weeks off in the summer?" Being a teacher is fact a very stressful job. Whilst you're having to deal with kids all day and provide them with information to shape their lives, you're also planning lessons in your time off, and marking papers over the weekend. It is a very stressful job.

11. Social worker - It's a HUGE stress

Image source/Verywell HealthWhilst it may not be very clear how this job is so stressful at first glance, it is in fact a very stressful role. Having to deal regularly with children, who may be homeless and starving, can be a huge stress. Being the person in charge in helping them can be rewarding when you improve their life, but coping with their hardships daily can lead to a lot stress.

12. Lawyer - All eyes are on you

Image source/News24Being a lawyer can appear to be glamorous and far from stressful at times, but depending on who your defendant is and the scale of the case, it can be one of the most stressful jobs around. One day you could be defending an extremely dangerous criminal, the next you're helping a single mom against bankruptcy.

13. Construction manager - There is no room for error

Image source/The Douglas CompanyThe pressure is on when you're a construction manager. Having to manage all your clients, whilst dealing with customers, who have likely paid big bucks and demand the job done on time is extremely stressful. The stress will only begin to increase as well when things go wrong, whether it's a delay in materials arriving, or your customer's demands changing.

14. Sports referee - Nowhere to hide

Image source/SportcastingFor some this is a dream job, being pitch side with some of the biggest names in the sporting world. However making the biggest decisions in the biggest games comes with an awful amount of stress. Referees are put under the spotlight in front of millions watching, often having to deal with constant verbal abuse on and off the pitch. The result often leading to massive amounts of stress.

15. Air traffic controller - Hundreds have their trust in you

Image source/MediumWhilst they're not directly in control of an aircraft like a pilot, they monitor and control the movement of many more aircraft. Their job is to assist pilots from the ground, and to ensure that the flow of traffic at the airport goes smoothly. The job requires alertness at all times and can be very stressful, especially knowing one slip up can cause the death of hundreds.

16. Financial analyst - The pressures on when money's on the line

Image source/Corporate Finance InstituteFinancial analysts are required to examine financial data and help guide businesses to investment opportunities. All going well, this job can be rewarding and lucrative, however it can be rather stressful, especially when the market isn't doing well. They are often stuck with hours of phone calls from unhappy customers and clients when things go pear shaped.

17. Train driver - One mistake can be fatal

Image source/RailTechIt is not as easy as you may think being a train driver. Not only do you need to know how to operate the train, but you are also responsible for the lives of the hundreds of passengers on board. It may seem like a fun job at first, but the responsibility of operating a train comes with a lot of stress.

18. Security guard - There's nobody their to protect you

Image source/El Dorado Insurance AgencyDespite this job appearing very relaxing at times, standing on guard looking like you're doing nothing, it is in fact highly stressful. Whether your positioned in a shopping mall or a prison, you must be on constant alert for danger and are responsible for the safety of everyone around.

19. Mental health counsellor - Trauma is part and parcel of the job

Image source/Medical News TodayIt probably doesn't come as a shock that working as a mental health counsellor can be stressful. Working with patients suffering from serious depression and anxiety can be extremely taxing. The job can come with heavy workloads and the patients traumas can be carried by those working with them, resulting in high stress levels.

20. Logger - Danger is around every corner

Image source/Timberline MagazineThe biggest stress from being a logger is simply how dangerous the job is. It is widely considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs, with the chance of death nearly 33 times more likely than the average. The long hours in all weather conditions working with heavy machinery and extreme heights is enough for anybody to be stressed going to work.

21. Fisherman - There's nothing certain about the sea

Image source/Yale E360You're first idea of a fisherman may have been your grandad sat by the pond, but there are in fact those who go out to sea everyday to help us eat. Despite all the safety precautions and technology now, nothing can really deal with the unpredictability of the ocean. This makes a Fishermans job one that is very stressful.

22. Forensic cleaner - Removing the WORST of messes

Image source/ToughNickelFor many people, this job would be their idea of hell, but somebody has to do it. Whilst police officers deal with the crime, it's left to the forensic cleaners to deal with the mess. Not only do they have to worry about cleaning up the homicide, suicide or whatever messy death it is, but they also need to be careful they don't contract any diseases from the site, making the job even more stressful.

23. Oil Rigger - Stuck out at sea

Image source/NS EnergyWorking as an oil rigger can be extremely stressful. Being stuck on an oil rig miles from land, working long, physical hours can be very stressful, especially if you have a young family at home which you haven't seen in months. Added stress can also come from having little personal space and minimal privacy.

24. Anesthesiologist - Their life is in your hands!

Image source/St. George's UniversityThe role of an anesthesiologist is to manage pain in a patient. They are in charge of prescribing medicine to patients in order for them to undergo surgery. The stress comes from the severe consequences of getting the doses of medicine slightly wrong. Slight mistakes can result in death, comas, or even paralysis, therefore making this job very stressful.

25. Taxi driver - Not as easy as it seems

Image source/ZipRecruiterWhile being an Uber driver seems like an easy way to earn some extra cash, having to deal with drunken, rude passengers daily can be rather stressful, especially if they start to become aggressive. Not only that but they are also dealing with lunatic drivers and rush hour traffic, does this sound stressful to you now?

26. Aircraft maintenance engineer - What could go wrong?

Image source/AerotimeBeing in charge of maintaining something as complex and technical as an aircraft is an extremely stressful job. With so many systems needed to be serviced and checked regularly, as well as so much that potentially could go wrong, it is no surprise an aircraft maintenance engineer is under so much stress.

27. Telephone operator - Stuck on the phone

Image source/FreepikBeing on the phone all day at your desk seems like the ideal job for most people. However, when dealing with angry customers constantly and having a stupidly high target number of calls everyday just to earn a pay check, it is no wonder this job is so stressful.

28. Iron and steelworker - You're not scared of heights?

Image source/PinterestMuch like many jobs on this list, iron and steel workers and working constantly in stressful and dangerous situations. They are working in both extremes of the weather, carrying around heavy, awkward pieces of metal, more often than not working at great heights. Despite this, there are numerous safety precautions in place for workers.

29. Information security analysis - DON'T forget your password!

Image source/OwlGuruIf computers are you thing of interest, this may sound like a really fun job. It is all about technology and all things digital. There will be a day though when you come under cyber attack and your company or clients information starts to be leaked. I can imagine that will be rather stressful.

30. Bartender - Stuck on the wrong side of the bar

Image source/Chilled magazineDespite seeming like a cushy and enjoyable job, or not even a job to some people, working as a bartender can be rather stressful. Dealing with drunk and often rude customers while spending hours on your feet can be very demanding and highly stressful.

31. Broadcaster

Image Source / BackstageBroadcast journalism can be an exciting career, but it's an extremely pressurise one. It can be great if you're into the world of radio and television, but expect a lot of stress due to working to strict deadlines and also needing to react very quickly when new stories break.

32. Public Relations Executive

Image Source / www.wise-geek.comPR is very much a delicate balancing act between your clients and the general public, and the pressures of that can be stressful. When you're managing deadlines as well as what your clients expect from you, you may feel overwhelmed. This job will see you working in the non-stop world of business, too, which is always stressful!

33. Senior Corporate Executive

Image Source / Albert EnergyWhen you're a senior anything in the corporate world, get ready for a lot of stress. Work-life balance is most likely going to go out the window as you deal with demanding business hours at an executive level. There will be a lot of pressure on your shoulders and managing the corporate world is always a risk.

34. Paramedic

Image Source / Queen Margaret UniversityAny sort of job in healthcare is extremely stressful, but especially if you're an emergency responder. Paramedics face life and death every shift, have a huge responsibility on their shoulders to deal with injured or distressed people, and also work extremely long shifts at around 15 hours.

35. IT Manager

Image Source / Robert HalfWhat could be stressful about being an IT manager if you love computers and are great at your job? Well, imagine if the entire system went down and the pressure was on you to get it back up and running again. As we know, a lot can go wrong with technology, but it's different when it's an entire business and not your home computer. You'll feel the strain of trying to fix IT faults very quickly.

36. Rehabilitation Counselor

Image Source / Your Free Career TestYour responsibility in this position is to help people get better, both physically and emotionally. That can be a lot of pressure in itself. You'll also be dealing with people in a very vulnerable state, which can take its toll on you, especially if they're being difficult. If you're an empath, you'll also feel the drain of all those negative emotions.

37. Truck Driver

Image Source / Schneider JobsYou might think that sitting in a truck and driving is an easy job, but hauling a large vehicle across cities — and sometimes even countries — becomes tiresome, especially when you have to conduct long journeys day in and day out without a break.

38. Retail And Hospitality

Image Source / ZipRecruiterIf you've worked in hospitality before, then you'll already know that 'the customer is always right' is one of the most stressful ideals - because of course they're not. But you have to smile and get on with it anyway. Retail and hospitality staff can bear the brunt of rude customers or very difficult situations, such as complaints or arguments.

39. Marriage Or Family Therapist

Image Source / BetterHelpHelping couples or families resolve their differences is highly rewarding - when it goes right. But that doesn't mean it's not extremely stressful. You're dealing with highly volatile situations and may feel like saving a couple's marriage or a family's relationship is entirely in your hands.

40. Personal Assistant

Image Source / ThinkTank MediaManage a million different tasks, get the morning coffee, order lunch, prepare meetings... and somehow still find time to have a healthy routine for yourself. The life of a personal assistant is great if you're extremely organised and love to be busy, but it goes without saying it can be highly stressful to take care of that many tasks - often without a breather.

41. Phlebotomist

Image Source / BestCollegesThis job will see you working within healthcare, taking blood samples from patients for tests or whatever else it's needed for. It sounds like a simple job, right? Nope. It's a lot of pressure to collect the much-needed samples and then organize their analysis - all the while dealing with the general public, which can be very stressful if they're being difficult. Not to mention the pressure of making sure you've labelled samples correctly and not risking a misdiagnosis.

42. 911 Dispatcher

Image Source / City PhiladelphiaWhen you're responsible for answering emergency calls, of course it's going to be stressful. Not only have you the stress of speaking with people in extremely difficult situations, you then have to liaise with emergency services correctly to make sure responders get there on time. You also have to always remain calm - even when you might feel the exact opposite.

43. Healthcare Worker

Image Source / Hospital TimesWhen you work as a health worker, you're risking your own health to help others - that's stressful in itself. Healthcare workers are faced with stress and threat every day of their lives, as well as the pressures of knowing other people's lives and wellbeing are in their hands. The healthcare sector is also notorious for being understaffed, underpaid or having a lot of overtime - i.e. the definition of stress!

44. Cardiovascular Technologist

Image Source / LiveAboutThis job is an important one for helping diagnose and treat heart problems or blood vessel issues. This will also see you working with patients in a vulnerable and possibly life-threatening state. If you're constantly working with patients who are fearing for their lives, this isn't something you can easily relax after once you get home.

45. Compliance Officer

Image Source / InvestopediaIt's your job as a compliance officer to make sure companies and governments are abiding by the law and are doing everything they can to remain compliant. It might not sound too stressful, but it depends entirely on the sector you're working in. Trying to check for compliancy in a healthcare setting, for example, with ever-changing policies and a fast-paced environment can be very challenging.

46. Clinical Social Worker

Image Source / University of Nevada, RenoAny sort of social work is stressful, and there are many branches with this area of work. Clinical social work will see you working with people who are going through the worst times of their lives, such as domestic violence or drug abuse. Your work is important, but also very stressful dealing with these situations!

47. Community Health Worker

Image Source / Skoll FoundationMembers of the public get access to healthcare through the efforts of community health workers. You could be working with overweight people on a nutritional basis, or helping people get medicine or treatment they need. This inevitably comes with stress due to dealing with sick people or people in need - but, most particularly because you won't always have the budget to help everyone.

48. Sales Manager

Image Source / HubSpot BlogSales is always stressful, period. You're meeting targets, trying to lead a team of people to meet their targets, as well as often having the constantly-on-the-road stress. Being a sales manager means you have to take responsibility for a lot of people, and even if you love selling, it can still be stressful to meet those targets.

49. Patrol Officer

Image Source / Nottinghamshire PoliceThis job could be one extreme to the other - going on boring patrols and finding nothing, or finding everything (including dangerous situations). At worst, you could be writing reports, which could still be stressful if you find admin difficult. There's always potential to find yourself in highly stressful situations as a patrol officer, as well as working demanding hours.

50. Physician

Image Source / AAMCAnother stressful job within healthcare, a physician can see you specialising in many different fields - all of which can be stressful, of course! Physicians can work with primary care, in the emergency room or can be delivering upsetting health news. You're going to be worked off your feet in a rewarding, yet stressful, healthcare job.