For much of modern American history, career success has been measured by salary, title, and corporate prestige. However, in recent years — particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic — a significant cultural shift has occurred. Between record-high levels of burnout in corporate America and the clear indication that remote work doesn’t hamper productivity, professionals are increasingly redefining what it means to be successful. For many today, a successful job is one that prioritizes mental well-being, personal health, and sustainable work-life balance over pressure and prestige. You don’t need to have the most stressful job to meet your standards of success.
Stress is subjective, but the least stressful jobs don’t necessarily come with low salaries or small responsibilities. Instead, they may simply have predictable routines, high levels of autonomy, or less emotion tied to the role. Everyone has to determine what the right kind of job is for themselves, but this list of the 15 least stressful jobs can serve as inspiration.
These professionals assess and manage financial risk, primarily for insurance companies. The work is mathematically challenging, but it’s structured and governed by clear data and models, which can eliminate some of the stress of high-pressure decision-making.
Actuaries typically need a Bachelor’s degree and have to pass a series of certifications to qualify for most positions. The role may have strong job security given the constant need of actuarial work for insurance claims.
Unlike roles in tech where speed is key, statisticians in academic or government research often enjoy a lot of autonomy. (Although that may vary depending on the presidential administration.) The goal is accurate discovery and analysis, not urgent product launches, so the work is typically calm and deeply focused. Data scientists use cutting-edge tools to derive meaning from data that can help make a difference in the world, so the work may be rewarding, as well.
Statisticians typically need a Master’s degree in mathematics or statistics, but some employers may be willing to accept a Bachelor’s degree.
While there’s certainly some stress when working with patients, dental hygienists usually perform predictable procedures (like cleanings or X-rays) in a controlled environment. They have regular schedules and few surprises at work, not to mention a healthcare paycheck without the emergency room stress.
Dental hygienists typically need an Associate’s degree in dental hygiene and a license to practice dentistry. Specific requirements vary by state.
This administrative role translates healthcare services into codes for billing. Medical billers often work remotely on behalf of healthcare organizations and have predictable schedules. Salaries vary a bit by state, as states with higher costs of living tend to pay higher wages. Likewise, medical billers who have earned additional certifications will earn more than those who haven’t, according to the American Academy of Professional Coders.
Specifically, if you’re focused on research, tenured professors have enormous autonomy and flexibility. They control their research agenda, set their schedule, and pursue intellectually engaging work with little administrative oversight. If you’re in the classroom, there’s less autonomy, but you are still focused on a subject of interest and working directly with students to help further their intellectual journeys. (Although that could be low- or high-stress, I admit.) Should you publish your research in a book, there’s another potential revenue stream.
University professors typically require a Ph.D., but requirements vary by educational institution.
Librarians and archivists work in peaceful, contemplative environments. Their work is focused on preservation, cataloging, and research assistance, far away from the hustle and stress of corporate America.
Librarians or archivists typically need a Master’s degree in library science. School librarians and library media specialists may be able to qualify with only a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, as well as a teaching certificate. Requirements vary by state.
You may need a very specific type of training, but being a museum curator allows you to immerse yourself in a subject of interest. The focus is on careful, detailed preservation and organization, making decisions to create exhibits that will delight and inform.
Curator salaries range significantly depending on where you work. For instance, curators working in local museums tend to earn about 30% less than those who work at federal museums, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Working outdoors can be a great stress reliever. Although the work is physically demanding, landscapers often have task-based, cyclical work that delivers a sense of accomplishment with every job. Although the earnings are not on the high end, the flexibility and ability to work outdoors are a worthwhile trade-off for many people.
Trades are project-based, so electricians are focused on solving a clear problem within a defined scope. The high demand and necessary safety protocols lowers much of the risk, and there’s very little bureaucratic stress.
While you can attend a technical or vocational school to learn how to be an electrician, most learn through an apprenticeship. Learning directly from a master electrician is a great way to get paid for an education.
These professionals create clear documentation, manuals, and guides for complex products. The role is focused on clarity and organization, often performed remotely with structured, manageable deadlines. It’s an easy job to do remotely, with little interaction with managers. One of the best parts of any writing career, in fact, is how easy it is to do freelance. Many organizations hire contractors rather than full-time technical writers, so you could amass several clients and earn significantly more than the national average salary.
Most technical writers are self-taught, but you can take certification courses to raise your employability.
This role focuses on research, document preparation, and organization within a legal framework. While cases can be serious, paralegals are usually removed from the high-stakes courtroom drama and negotiation. While the hours can be long, the work is at least focused and approachable.
You don’t need to go to law school to be a paralegal. Paralegals and legal assistants typically need an Associate’s degree or certificate in paralegal studies. Some employers may prefer candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, but that’s not always the case.
There are many last-mile and food delivery services today, and these jobs can offer a lot of independence. You pick and choose when you work, although it’s probably better served as a side hustle than a full-time job. All you need is a driver’s license.
You can do proofreading and copy editing from everywhere, and all you need is a strong grasp of the English language and grammar. Editing can be tiring on your brain, but every piece of writing ends eventually, and the hourly rate can be worth the attention. Like technical writing, you can often work as a copy editor in a freelance capacity, taking on multiple clients to raise your earning potential. There are no formal qualifications, although a Bachelor’s degree in English or a related degree can demonstrate a more sophisticated grasp of language to employers.
These roles can feel monotonous and draining, but they’re very predictable and carry minimal responsibility. There can also be a lot of peace in working a non-valet lot, as you help people come and go, enjoying solitude. You don’t need any formal training or qualification.
House sitting or pet sitting come with a lot of responsibility, but you may have a fairly innate understanding of how to do the job. You can relax in a quiet environment or enjoy time with a pet — and get paid to do it.
FAQs
Generally, roles that require specialized, hard-to-acquire skills tend to offer the best combination of high pay and low daily stress. On this list, the top-earning jobs are most likely an actuary, data scientist, or technical writer.
Not necessarily. Remote work eliminates the stress of commuting and office politics, but there can be new stressors, like managing boundaries between your personal and professional lives. One of the big reasons why remote workers are actually more productive than office ones is because remote workers frequently struggle to step away from work when there’s no drive home. The stress level of a remote job depends more on the company culture and your personal discipline than on the location itself.
Research consistently points to high autonomy or control. When you have control over how they do their work, when they do it, and where they do it, the perceived stress level drops significantly.
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