Most stressful jobs 2023: Judges, nurses and video editors all rank in top 10 (2024)

More than half of America’s employees say they’re stressed at work,every day,according to aGallup poll.Job burnout is a real problem in many American workplaces. Demanding schedules, long hours, high stress and emotionally taxing situations can lead to employee burnout. Though most employees will face stressful moments throughout their careers, some jobs can be more taxing than others.

According to Mental Health America’sMind the Workplace 2023 Report, workers in unhealthy work environments report higher rates of psychological distress that lead to mental health struggles.

Last year, 81% of workers reported that workplace stress affects their mental health, compared with 78% of respondents in 2021. Another three-fourths of workers report workplace stress affects their relationships.

What are the top 10 most stressful jobs?

TheOccupational Information Network, or O*NET, part of the Department or Labor,ranked 873of the most stressful jobs in the nation. The rankings notethe importance of accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations in each role.

The jobs don't just include careers that pay high salaries, includingurologists (ranked No. 1) and judges (ranked No. 4).Some of the jobs pay low median wages, such as retail supervision (No. 9).

Though some positions on O*NET's ranking require multiple degrees or postgraduate school, the list comprises "many low- and middle-skilled occupations with high levels of stress," says Sania Khan, chief economist at Eightfold AI.

These 10 jobs require the most stress tolerance from employees:

1. Urologists

Duties:Urologistsspecialize in conditions affecting the urinary tract, anddeal with diseases that affect the reproductive system.

Stress level:100

Median annual salary:$208,000

2. Film and video editors

Duties:Film and video editorsedit moving imageson film, video or other media. This position, which includes jobs in television and news editing roles, may work with producers or directors to organize images and soundtracks for final production.

Stress level:99

Median annual salary:$62,680

3.Anesthesiologist assistants

Duties:These assistantsadminister anesthesia for surgical and nonsurgical procedures. They also monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.

Stress level:98

Median annual salary:$121,530

4. Judges and magistrates

Duties:Judgesadminister justicein a court of law. They maysentence defendants, determine liability of defendant in civil cases,or even perform wedding ceremonies.

Stress level:98

Median annual salary:$148,030

5. Phone operators

Duties:Phone operators provide informationto callers by accessing directories and assisting them with a variety of tasks, such as billing requests, charges, credits or refunds. They may also handle emergency calls and help children or people with physical disabilities make telephone calls.

Stress level:98

Median annual salary:$37,630

6. Acute care nurses

Duties:These nursesprovide advanced nursing care for patientswith acute conditions like heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome or shock. They may also care for patients or before and after operations as well as perform advanced, invasive procedures.

Stress level:98

Median annual salary:$77,600

7.Obstetricians and gynecologists

Duties: Obstetricians and gynecologists givemedical care related to pregnancy or childbirth, includingdiagnosingand treating diseases affecting the reproductive system. They may also perform medical and gynecological surgery, as well as general care to women.

Stress level:97

Median annual salary:$208,000

8.Public safety telecommunicators

Duties:Public safety telecommunicatorsreceive and communicate 911 requests via telephone, radio or another communication system for emergency assistance. They record information regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies and other public safety matters while also giving advice or instructions to callers.

Stress level:97

Median annual salary:$46,670

9.First-line supervisor of retail sales workers

Duties:These supervisors directlymanage and coordinate activities of retail sales workers. On top of obligations as a supervisor, otherduties may include purchasing, budgeting andaccounting.

Stress level:96

Median annual salary:$39,230

10.Nurse anesthetists

Duties:These nursesadminister anesthesia, monitor patients' vital signs and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia,possibly in an assistant role toanesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians or dentists. They must be registered nurses with specialized graduate education.

Stress level:96

Median annual salary:$195,610

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