The Least Stressful Medical Jobs
In an effort to determine which jobs are the least stressful of all careers, CareerCast.com ranked 200 jobs in numerous stress-related factors via a survey. The survey ranked the jobs on a variety of factors that impact career-related stress: job outlook/demand, salary, work hours, the risk to the worker, the risk to lives of others, interaction with the public, and more.
Based on the stress scores of the 200 careers ranked in the report, six of the 10 least stressful jobs are in the medical field. The results scored the following medical careers among the least stressful jobs.
Keep in mind, there are many other factors that cause jobs to be stressful, many of which must be considered on a case by case basis, such as commutes, quality of one’s relationship with the boss, and other factors that vary according to individual jobs.
Audiologist
Audiologists were ranked the least stressful career of all 200 careers ranked by CareerCast. Audiologists are medical professionals who have studied at a graduate level (most have doctorate-level degrees) and treat patients for varying degrees of hearing loss. Audiologists often work as part of a medical team with physicians, speech pathologists, and nurses. The typical median pay, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $74,890 per year. Audiology jobs were expected to rise by 29% between 2014 and 2024.
Dietitians
Dietitians, also sometimes referred to as nutritionists, ranked as the second least stressful career. With decent pay and job outlook (though not as strong demand as some other health careers), dietitians have at least a bachelor’s degree and are sometimes master’s prepared as well. If you are interested in helping people manage their health through diet and nutrition, a career as a dietitian may be for you, and apparently, it’s low stress!
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists actually ranked fifth on the list of least stressful careers but were the third least stressful medical career. They were the only dentistry career that made the list of least stressful medical jobs. With an average salary of about $67,000 and an outstanding job outlook, dental hygienists assist dentists with performing cleanings, x-rays, and help perform dental procedures.
Speech Language Pathologist
Speech language pathologists work in schools, hospitals, medical offices, or other facilities to help patients of all ages overcome communication and speech problems. Speech pathology requires at least a master’s degree typically. Speech language pathologists are sometimes referred to as speech therapists.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists were ranked as the ninth least stressful job overall and the fifth least stressful medical job. Occupational therapists treat clients of all ages in a variety of settings to help them rehabilitate after an accident, trauma, surgery, or from a disease or disorder. Occupational therapists help their clients learn the skills necessary to function more independently.
Chiropractor
Chiropractors ranked as the tenth overall least stressful job and the sixth least stressful medical job. Many people think of chiropractors as “back doctors” but they do so much more than that. Chiropractors must complete a doctorate-level degree in chiropractic.