14 High Demand, Low Stress Jobs That Make the World a Better Place

Pursuing an in-demand career is a great way to eliminate money stress in the long run and, in many ways, make your life easier. But for many people, job security is not quite enough to feel fulfilled. Many working adults long for a career that makes a difference in some way.

If you’re hoping for a career that’s in-demand, gives back in some way, and also tends to be low-stress, consider these 14 jobs.

Working as an audiologist can be quite rewarding as these doctors help their patients to address hearing problems. While the path to this career may be stressful (you’ll need a doctor of audiology), the day-to-day work is reportedly significantly less so.

Plus, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projects employment of audiologists will grow 11% over the next decade.

Professors at universities and colleges, also known as postsecondary teachers, can make a difference by helping the next generation learn and grow in their fields of expertise.

While teaching can be a stressful gig, working at the college level provides some liberties working in K-12 education does not, including tenure depending on where you are, and the BLS projects job growth of 8% over the decade.

Conservation scientists and foresters may work for federal, state, or local governments, for advocacy organizations, or on private lands.

They help care for natural resources like forests and parks and employment of these professionals is expected to grow about 5% over the next decade.

Data scientists are expected to be very in demand over the next decade (with 36% projected job growth), and this can be a low-stress job as many employees work in comfortable office settings.

Data scientists can also be involved in improving the world around them by working in education, healthcare, conservation, and more.

Dietitians may work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, or for specific organizations — and can often enjoy low-stress work, including developing meal plans and helping clients to adopt healthier, more balanced lives.

The BLS projects that employment of dieticians will grow a solid 7% between 2023 and 2033.

Those interested in working to protect the natural world can consider a career in environmental engineering, a discipline focused on developing solutions to environmental issues.

These engineers can work in the field or an office (or a mix), and the BLS projects demand for the job will continue to grow significantly over the next decade.

Epidemiologists can work in a variety of settings. These professionals study diseases to make the world a safer place from a public health standpoint.

Depending on where you work will determine if it’s lower stress or not (i.e. hospital vs. corporate vs. lab), however it is a very in-demand one, with job growth projected to be 19% over the next decade.

Sure, human resources specialists may be involved in the interviewing and hiring process, but they can also help employees take advantage of health and other benefits, learn about company match programs, and create programs to ensure everyone’s mental health is well cared for.

Plus, these specialists are in demand — the BLS predicts employment will grow 8% over the next decade.

For those who love reading, researching, and helping educate their communities, a career as a librarian can be quiet, engaging, and quite fulfilling.

Projected job growth for librarians is 3% over the next decade, according to BLS data, and while that’s not quite as high as other jobs on this list, it’s closer to the average across all occupations.

While massage therapy does require some physically laborious work, many of these employees find great purpose in helping their patients feel better and more relaxed.

Because these therapists can work in a variety of settings or be self-employed, the gig allows for freedom that can reduce job stress. Also, BLS data projects employment to grow by a significant number, 18%, between 2023 and 2033.

These employees typically work for an occupational therapist in an office setting, hospital, or nursing care facility. Because they are “assistants,” they often avoid being to point person for stressful questions or complaints, and still play a big role in helping clients.

Occupational therapists are expected to be in high demand over the next decade, with employment increasing by 21%, according to BLS data.

Those who find peace working outdoors may enjoy work as a solar photovoltaic installer. These employees travel from site to site and install and maintain rooftop solar panels or other systems that convert sunlight into energy.

What’s more, BLS data projects job growth to be a whopping 48% over the next decade.

Speech-language pathologists, who may work in schools, at hospitals, or in an array of other settings, get to enjoy the fulfillment of helping patients who struggle with language or speech for a wide variety of reasons.

Employment of these specialists is expected to grow a great deal — 18% — over the next decade, according to BLS projections.

Urban planners help make cities, counties, and other jurisdictions better, more efficient places.

The work, which is typically in an office setting but may involve a bit of travel to sites, can be quite rewarding and the BLS projects job growth of 4% over the next decade, similar to the average across all jobs.

Opting for a high-demand job can open new doors, give you negotiating power, and keep more cash in your wallet. However, eliminating money stress unfortunately doesn’t get rid of all work-related stress; that’s where a job that brings personal fulfillment can make a huge difference, so make sure to consider all factors before taking the plunge in a career transition.