Best low stress high paying jobs in 2024 (2024)

Employees are experiencing high levels of stress, and the younger generation seems to feel it the most. According to the BBC, an astounding 91% of employees aged 18-24 endure job stress, compared to 84% of employees overall. And over half of young professional workers (51%) report the need for help with mental health challenges in the past year.

While it’s true that higher pay comes with its own unique issues, like higher taxes and lifestyle creep, having a high-paying job doesn’t have to come at the cost of high stress. To prove this, we went to the U.S. Department of Labor database to determine five of the best-paying jobs with the lowest stress factors as defined by the labor department’s Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

To come up with our list of top five picks, we analyzed jobs with median annual wages of $100,000 or more along with low stress tolerance scores as defined by O*NET. O*NET ranks stress tolerance on a scale of 0 to 100.

To give you an idea of how this applies to a career, some of the best-paying jobs, such as urologists, anesthesiologists, judges and midwives, can easily clear six figures annually. However, these careers also rank among the highest-stress jobs out there. By contrast, while couriers, street vendors, furniture finishers and models rank among the lowest-stress occupations to make the list, the median wages for these occupations ranged from $31,000 to $43,000 in annual income for 2022.

Below are the top five occupations we found that fell right into a perfect so-called “Goldilocks zone:” high annual pay with low daily stress on the job.

5 low stress high paying jobs

1. Remote sensing scientists and technologists

These scientists are experts at collecting and analyzing data gathered from remote-sensing technologies such as satellites, aircraft, ground-based platforms and geographic information systems (GIS), and then using such data to solve problems in urban planning, homeland security or natural resource management.

• Stress tolerance score: 52
• Median wages (2022): $107,970
• Education requirements: Most of these jobs require a minimum of graduate school (e.g. a master’s degree), with some requiring even more higher education (Ph.D. or J.D.)

2. Environmental economists

These economists research environmental topics and work to spread awareness of the environmental implications of various economic policies. If topics such as soil conservation, endangered species protection, alternative fuel use and pollution strike a chord with your career ambitions, working as an environmental economist could put more money in your pocket as you look out for mother nature on a professional level without the high cost of stress.

• Stress tolerance score: 52
• Median wages (2022): $113,940
• Education requirements: Most of the occupations in this category require some form of graduate school at the very least, with some requiring a Ph.D., M.D. or J.D.

3. Mathematicians

Ever heard someone say that they’ll never use calculus or algebra in their everyday lives? Well, the people who do are making six figures. Today’s mathematicians work to solve problems in a variety of different fields and industries, using mathematical methods to address practical problems in science, business, engineering and other fields.

• Stress tolerance score: 56
• Median wages (2022): $112,110
• Education requirements: Most of today’s occupations in mathematics require grad school or higher

4. Water resource specialists

Water resource specialists (also known as water resource planners) spend their days implementing strategies to address various water resource issues as they relate to water supply and quality, as well as overseeing regulatory and compliance requirements. These specialists work to improve water conservation efforts, deploy clean water initiatives and conduct technical studies of water resources to help determine water treatment options based on their findings.

• Stress tolerance score: 59
• Median wages (2022): $144,440
• Education requirements: Most of these occupations require a four-year degree or higher, making it one of the few low-stress, high-paying jobs that doesn’t require a graduate degree or higher

5. Solar energy systems engineer

If working with clients to meet their various residential, commercial and industrial solar needs sounds like a wonderful day in the sun for you, then a job in the ever-growing field of solar energy systems may be the right career choice for you. These engineers are alternative energy experts who create solar energy development plans for various real-world applications, from single-story homes to commercial office buildings.

• Stress tolerance score: 61
• Median wages (2022): $104,600
• Education requirements: Almost three out of four respondents (73%) to O*NET stated that only a four-year degree was required, making this another great career choice for workers seeking great pay, low stress and a lower barrier of entry than occupations requiring graduate school or doctorate degrees

Top industries for low stress high paying jobs

Many careers in science, technology and mathematics all warrant higher pay and lower stress levels compared to other high-paying occupations such as those in healthcare and legal services. However, many of these low-stress occupations require graduate degrees or higher.

For job seekers looking for the perfect balance between pay and stress levels, green career fields such as water resource specialists and solar energy systems engineers are excellent options.

“When it comes to the natural evolution of work, there will always be some organizations that prioritize employee well-being more than others — regardless of the roles that exist within the organization,” said Krystal Hicks, founder of JOBTALK, LLC.

Tips for finding a low stress job that pays well

According to ComPsych, 62% of Americans find themselves feeling stressed, tired and frantic with anxiety from work. To combat this problem, finding those low-stress jobs that also pay well is important.

You can start by searching the extensive list of occupations based on work styles and stress tolerance provided by O*NET to see if a particular career field matches the higher pay you’re looking for. You can also take your search a step further by browsing popular job boards such as Indeed or Glassdoor and looking through company reviews to see what current and former employees have to say about stress levels and pay in your job field of interest.

Here are some tips to help you find a low-stress, high-paying job.

Consider the schedule: If you’re contemplating a job, make sure you look at the schedule before moving forward. It’s important to have a healthy work-life balance, so if it’s a job with long hours or with an overnight shift, consider that.

Red flag keywords: According to Laura Koepsell, founder of Koepsell Career Counseling LLC, there are keywords that you can look for in job descriptions that might show a high-stress environment. These phrases can include:

• Fast-paced environment.
• Occasionally or regularly working evenings and weekends.
• Autonomous working style.
• Ability to work with fast-turnaround deadlines while doing multiple tasks.
• Thrive under ambiguous instructions.

“If you see two or more of these phrases, it is a strong indication of a high-stress work environment and potentially a lack of support,” said Koepsell.

Network: Networking can be a great way to find a job that will fit your needs and wants. Making meaningful connections can expand your knowledge of different professions and help you land a position that you like. It can also set you up for success by connecting you with people who can vouch for you to employers.

Informational interview: If you want to test out a career, this is a good way to do that. “Through LinkedIn or mutual connections, you can find professionals in careers of interest as a whole or at a specific company to determine if it is a good fit for you,” said Koepsell.

Ask the crucial questions: Don’t be afraid to ask employers questions about their work environment, hours or workload. ComPsych’s StressPulse Survey reports that 41% of Americans cite workload as a cause of stress. Some questions to ask an employer are:

• What is an average workday like?
• What are your typical hours?
• What is the company culture like?

Asking these types of questions can give you a feel of what the job entails and can help you better understand whether or not this job is the right fit for you.

Research: You can also look at lists made by well-known companies about the best places to work. And you can search for the best remote companies if you are looking to work remotely.

“Do you want to be at a company with growth opportunities? Do you prefer to work at a company for a short time to get your feet wet and then look elsewhere?” Koepsell said. “These questions can help you determine the types and sizes of companies to look at and give you ideas for questions to ask during an interview.”

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)