There is a common misconception in our society that in order to have an occupation that has a high living wage you have to have resilience to stressful factors in order to earn more money. High paying jobs do not have to be stressful; you can earn a good salary without having to work in a high stress, pressurized environment. In reality, your work should be a place of passion, ideas and potential.
Companies are now going to great lengths to improve the work-life balance and wellbeing of their employees. Employee job satisfaction is also paramount to an organization’s success. It is important that you feel supported and valued in your work , instead of stressed and overwrought. Fortunately, if you would like to work in a low strain, high paying jobs, we have a great list of the least stressful job occupations for you.
1. Orthodontist
The average salary for an orthodontist in the USA is $208,000 a year. That’s a lot for someone who helps people change their smile. If you aren’t averse to looking into people’s mouths becoming an orthodontist is a high-paying low stressful job.
From taking molds, fitting braces and telling off sweet eating teenagers, your day wouldn’t be too stressful. It is of course hard work to become an orthodontist, you would need to obtain a degree, complete dental school, and obtain an orthodontist license. The path may be a long hard slog but, in the end, the low pressure and high paycheck aspect of the occupation would be worth it.
2. Optometrist
Six out of ten people in the developed world need to wear glasses. Checking people’s eyesight is quite a lucrative occupation. Optometrist’s day to day routine can often be conducting eye exams to check for problems with sight and any diseases or illnesses that could be affecting the eye. Optometrists earn on average an annual salary of $123,000 a year.
Once again you will need to get a degree in optometry and complete a pre-registration year with a registered optometrist. You also have a final exam at the end of your work placement. The course can often take seven to eight years to fully complete so you will have to work hard to land such a stress-free job.
3. App Designer
There can be no doubt that the technological era is upon us and it is now more lucrative than ever. If you studied IT in high school you most likely didn’t realize how much potential there would be for those skills in the future. For those who did, and went on to study coding and software, their decision will have more than paid off by now.
Developing, creating and fixing problems in applications software can be fun, rewarding and extremely well paid, on average earning $105,000 a year. App developers will work on teams and the role can be pretty flexible meaning that a job as an app developer can be a relatively low-stress job. Market trends all over the world suggest that this occupation has been rated as one of the best and the professionals working in this industry are blessed with high paying jobs.
4. Technical Writer
Drafting, developing and creating manuals for equipment can seem like a tedious role but in fact, it is pretty well paid and can be interesting. The general day to day tasks can include creating diagrams and how-to guides that can be print-copy or online. Technical writers will need to be able to digest technical information and be able to communicate it effectively.
On average a technical writer can earn upwards of $70,000 a year. In terms of qualifications, you should have a bachelor’s degree if you wish to secure a role as a technical writer and it helps if you actually enjoy writing. You will be expected to liaise with engineers and production teams to ensure your materials are correct but most of the time you can work flexibly and autonomously. Being a technical writer, you will still have to work to deadlines, but the pressure is not as high as it might be if you wished to become entertainment or new journalist, it is essentially a stress-free environment.
5. Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygienist will clean your teeth and conduct the initial inspection to see if you are suffering from any oral infections. You need an associate degree to undertake this role and it doesn’t comprise some of the more physical demands of being a dentist.
The annual salary can work out at over 70,000 dollars so this could be a great option if you are on an active job search or thinking about changing your vocation, as you don’t need to undertake years of intense study.
6. Radiology Therapist
Working as a Radiology Therapist is a low-stress job for a position that is in the health sector. Health sector jobs are notoriously stressful and overwhelming at times so this is an option if you want to go down a stress-free environment in the health sector. You need an associate degree to be in radiology and empathy is also highly prized as you will be dealing with vulnerable people. You can earn upwards of $50,000 a year in this role.
7. Nutrition Specialist
Nutritionists are highly celebrated in today’s cultural settings. In recent times there has been a huge market trend when it comes to physical health and wellbeing. Dieticians instruct people on how to change their bodies and minds from the inside out, targeting food consumption and special recipes to help people lose fat percentages or bulk up muscle.
This s a specialized field and most people in this profession have obtained some form of a scientific degree. You can earn over $60,000 as a nutritionist and even more if you can become renowned amongst celebrity clientele.
8. Physicist
Becoming a physicist requires a lot of hard work and can take a long time so you will need to be committed if this is the career path you wish to take. You will need a degree and following that a Ph.D. to land a high-paying job.
Physicists are often passionate people who enjoy in-depth research and experiments, but you will have the chance to work in laboratories with other scientists were focusing on your theories will be easy and stress-free. Physicists can earn around 122,000 dollars, it is a common misconception that it is difficult to find a job as a physicist but in general, there is a demand for professionals in this field and you can find a high-paying job just as easily as those who undertook another science major.
9. Statistician
Unlike Math’s teachers who face an abundant amount of pressure to ensure their students pass, statisticians can work in a stress-free environment, earning a great wage. Making over 100,000 dollars a year, a professional in this field dedicate their lives to testing pre-existing statistical theories or generating original concepts.
Usually hired by research organizations or universities and colleges, having previously been accredited with a Ph.D. Like Science grads, statisticians can work in labs on projects that gather and investigate data to aid with science, policy and engineering.
10. Audiologist
Specializing in the ear and our hearing senses, Audiologists work with people who have hearing impairments or imbalances. Like most jobs that relate to human anatomy and research graduates in this field are expected to go through further schooling and obtain a doctoral degree. Following that they then will need a license to practice. The 80,000-dollar salary will help pay off those student loans, the role comes with moderately low pressure compared to other professions that require a medical degree.
11. Actuary
An actuary is a business professional who deals with research and analysis of risk. They work alongside agencies and corporations to help minimize financial costs using math and statistics to generate data.
With a median income of $102,000, the profession has a great work-life balance and the role is often highly revered in most companies. This is a great profession if you want to work in a relaxed environment but still feel mentally stimulated and challenged in your role. There are often courses specific to Actuary studies in higher education institutes.
12. Speech Therapist
Speech and language therapists assess, diagnose and treat both children and adults who suffer from speech impediments. This is quite a rewarding profession that is both a well-paid and low-stress job. You’ll need a masters degree to become a speech specialist.
Bear in mind, that this role would mean working with people who have disabilities or autism and even people who can’t speak at all. You will need a level of empathy and general compassion for those you aim to help. The annual salary for a Speech and Language Pathologist is on average $80,000.
13. Processor / Hardware Engineer
Computer hardware engineers typically work in factory or lab settings manufacturing devices. Day to day routines are standard and expected with the work being pretty stress-free. This role is in high demand and the salary can range from 80,000 to a huge 120,000-dollar annual salary, sometimes more.
Responsibilities could include designing, testing and creating new hardware with specialties in gaming, medical equipment, or computer devices. In general, hardware engineers have the potential to earn substantially more than their software counterparts. You can become a hardware engineer by obtaining a bachelor’s degree but some companies will accept an associate degree in computer science. A great career path, if you are interested in tech and design, problem-solving skills are a must-have quality.
14. Massage Therapy
Massage Therapists have the potential to earn a big salary depending on the company they choose to work for and if you are registered. It can take a year to earn your accreditation and begin working which is really no time at all.
The higher salary range can be between 50,000 to 70,000 a year but the lower end of the scale however can be very low with some therapists earning a modest $25,000 annually. Working in spa’s can be a peaceful existence with the day taking place in a quiet and relaxed environment.
15. Freelancers
Whether it’s writing, digitalization or photography, freelancers have high earning potential depending on their craft and experience. Working for yourself is surely one of the least stressful jobs you can have. Being a freelancer means you can accept or decline jobs depending on the wage, timing and other factors, meaning you get to dictate your own workload.
Your salary can have a range from 20,000 a year to upwards of 79,000 depending on the type of work you take on and the connections you have. You can work quite casually as a freelancer and choose to be out in the field or work from the comfort of your own home, so the stress factor is really what you make it. Although a degree helps if you are trying to land larger contracts, freelancers can also be self-taught. If you love photography you do not need further education to pursue the profession if you have a good eye.
16. Astronomer
Becoming a professional astronomer means having a firm grasp on arithmetic and being an expert in everything concerning the cosmos, you will typically need a Ph.D. It’s a long process but once you reach that level of knowledge graduates can land roles that allow them to spend their days largely stress-free. Duties include, researching the universe in all its brilliance. Tracking changes in the atmosphere and searching for stars. All for a median salary of $122,000 a year.
17. Librarian
If books and learning are your passion, then the good news is that you can earn a pretty good wage to work amongst shelves of your favourite novels. Being a librarian is generally a low-stress job, with most tasks being administrative duties. Having a good knowledge of systems and processes are important skills for a role like this. You can earn upwards of $60,000 a year in this role. Not content in public libraries? There are a whole host of organizations who need people to fulfill this post from universities to law firms and government agencies.
How to Secure Low-Stress High Paying Jobs
Many people believe that in order to get a high-paying job it comes with a lot of sacrifices, and many people opt for a lower-paying job to avoid the prospect of taking on more than they can handle.
There are a number of steps you can take to try to land low stress high paying jobs.
Recognize What Makes You Stressed
Identifying what makes you stressed is the first step in finding a role that is fitting to you. What one person considers to be an anxious situation, other people may take in their stride.
Knowing what induces those feelings helps you avoid a commitment to a role you are ill-suited for. If targets cause you to panic then being a car salesman or working in a call centre may not be the path you wish to follow while looking for a low-stress job.
Alternatively, if public speaking fills you with dread then becoming a teacher might not be the best choice. People can always overcome what they consider to be stressful, sometimes through practice and experience but if it is something you simply can’t handle because it causes you to stress you do not want to live your life like that.
Read the Job Description
Always read the job description and don’t be afraid to contact the recruitment adviser, should you need to ask questions or if you need clarification. The advertisement will give you a glimpse into what the role will require, always do follow up research on the job title to discover the more intricate aspects of the job.
Job roles aren’t going to self-pronounce that they include heavy workloads or that the job will be highly demanding with a large amount of stress. They will give you an indication of what your duties will be, for instance, if the role requires public speaking and presenting it may not suit you if you struggle with standing up in front of a large crowd.
Self-Assess
Self-assessment is a must before you apply for a role, be honest with yourself when it comes to knowing what you are capable of and the skills that you have. If you apply for a role that is too advanced, it is a given that you will find it stressful.
Most experienced interviewers will be able to determine if you are suitable and capable of taking on the job through their questions but that doesn’t mean underqualified people never get the role. Look at your qualifications and if you really want to pursue the career but are underqualified consider retraining in that area.
You should also assess what it is that makes you happy. In the long run, having a job you find interesting is the way to find contentment in your work, so find your niche and run with it. Self-assessment is a great technique for finding what you value most, you can then match those values and interests with a company’s culture.
Track your Progress
You should frequently update your resume with the new skills and knowledge you have learned throughout your work, so you know what you are capable of. It helps when matching with a job description and means you will be able to tailor your application to suit the role and what the hiring manager is looking for.
Have a folder where you can store certificates or keep a note of your accomplishments. Even go to the extent of saving emails where people have thanked and complimented you for your work so you can refer to them when discussing your key attributes. Also, track things you feel you can improve on or what has caused you stress in your role.
Stress and Its Impact on Your Health
Stress can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health and wellbeing, causing anxiety, panic attacks as well as cardiovascular issues and even may cause digestive problems.
Not only does it have an impact on your wellbeing but also on the quality of your work. It can cause a loss of motivation and productivity which can result in a deterioration of our relationships with colleagues. Studies have shown that there is a direct link between work related stress and mental illnesses like anxiety and depression.
Remember
It is important to note that no job is ever completely stress-free, it just depends on what your own personal definition is for stress tolerance. Finding a role in which you can be happy and healthy is incredibly significant to your life, contentment and wellbeing. Most employers will have stress handling techniques and processes in place if their employees are feeling overwhelmed in their roles.
Look out for the signs and symptoms of work-related stress, feeling angry or irritated at work, or tense and tired are all indicators that you are feeling anxious.
If you do have work-related stress, it may be suggested to you by your employer to take some time off, employers have an obligation to ensure your workload is manageable or that you aren’t working too many hours.
Many organizations will have plans and processes in place to manage stress, larger companies may even have a counsellor you can go and talk to if you are ever feeling down.
See a Careers Counsellor
If you are still unsure of what career path you would like to follow you can always get in touch with a career counsellor. A professional will be able to offer you guidance and support to help you decide which vocational pathway suits your needs and interests. There are a number of tests from personality tests to skills tests that can help assess what talents you have and the jobs those skills are applicable to.
Seeking guidance can expedite the process of you landing a job that you will love and be content in. The advice can help you get to your vocational pathway quicker and without making the mistakes that you may make if you were to try and get there on your own.
