These 30 Low-Stress Jobs Pay Over $100,000 a Year

It’s good to be challenged at work, but it’s not good if you’re constantly feeling bogged down by a high-stress career. According to the Huffington Post, we spend more than 13 years of our lives at work. While some can get by working less than 40 hours a week, many of us need a full-time gig, preferably one that doesn't cause 13 years of stress.

We’ve rounded up 30 of the most low-stress, high-paying jobs out there. Low-stress jobs can be some of the best jobs. If you are considering a new career path and figuring out how to make money without the burden of extreme stress, we’ve got you covered.

What are Low-Stress High-Paying Jobs?

Low-stress high-paying jobs pay above-average salaries but offer a good work-life balance or don’t involve a lot of mental stress. Of course, any job will have its ups and downs, but some low-stress jobs don’t have strict deadlines, or they allow employees to use skills that they find relaxing or rewarding rather than increasing their mental load.

30 of the least stressful jobs that pay over $100,000 (ranked)

1. Environmental Economist

Stress tolerance: 52

Median salary: $115,730

Job description: These economists organize and carry out economic analysis focusing on environmental protection and the natural environment, including water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. They assess the costs and benefits of policies and regulations that affect the environment, conduct research on economic and environmental topics, and write academic articles detailing study results.

Education requirements/training: A master's or doctoral degree in environmental science is typically required.

Click here for environmental economist jobs

2. Mathematician

Stress tolerance: 56

Median salary: $104,860

Job description: Employed in various industries, mathematicians conduct research, analyze data, and apply mathematical theories and computational techniques to solve practical problems in business, engineering, healthcare, or other fields. They develop mathematical models to analyze data and conduct tests to determine the data’s validity. Then, they present their findings to help solve the problems being addressed.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree in mathematics or related field is required, but an advanced degree such as a master’s or doctorate may be necessary in private industries.

Click here for mathematician jobs

3. Political Scientist

Stress tolerance: 68

Median salary: $132,350

Job description: Political scientists study political systems and governments — how they originated, developed, and operated. They research political ideas and government policies, such as the U.S. political system and its foreign relations, and evaluate the effects of said policies on government, businesses, and people. Political scientists may also teach political science, analyze election results, and forecast political trends.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree in political science is required for entry-level positions, but most political scientists must complete a master’s degree or Phd program.

Click here for political scientist jobs

4. Chemical Engineer

Stress tolerance: 61

Median salary: $112,100

Job description: Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, drugs, food, plastics, and many other products. They may design chemical plant equipment, conduct experiments and monitor and analyze their findings, and develop new and improved manufacturing processes.

Education requirements/training: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related field.

Click here for chemical engineer jobs

5. Physicist

Stress tolerance: 62

Median salary: $149,530

Job description: Physicists research physical phenomena, such as the nature of time or the universe's origin, as well as study the ways in which different forms of matter and energy interact. They develop scientific theories and models based on their observations and experiments and present these findings in scientific papers or during conferences and lectures.

Education requirements/training: Physicists typically need a Ph.D. for jobs in research and academia. A bachelor’s degree in physics is often required for government work.

Click here for physicist jobs

6. Economist

Stress tolerance: 64

Median salary: $115,730

Job description: Economists formulate plans to address economic problems by conducting research into the production and distribution of resources, goods, and services. They conduct surveys, interpret and forecast market trends, and advise businesses, organizations, and governments on economic issues as well.

Education requirements/training: Entry-level positions may be available to those with a bachelor’s in economics, but most economists need a master’s or Ph.D.

Click here for economist jobs

7. Computer and Information Research Scientist

Stress tolerance: 66

Median salary: $145,080

Job description: Computer and information research scientists focus on developing solutions to problems that affect computer hardware and software. They design and invent fresh approaches to computing technology, improve upon existing technology, and develop theories and models to address fundamental issues in computing.

Education requirements/training: A master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field is typically required.

Click here for computer and information research scientist jobs

8. Computer Hardware Engineer

Stress tolerance: 66

Median salary: $138,080

Job description: Computer hardware engineers research, design, and develop computer systems and components for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. Computer components include processors, circuit boards, memory devices, and routers.

Tasks include:

• Building and testing product prototypes.
• Updating existing computer equipment so it can work together with new software.
• Writing detailed specifications that document the development process.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field is required.

Click here for computer hardware engineer jobs

9. Orthodontist

Stress tolerance: 89

Median salary: $230,830

Job description: Orthodontists are dental specialists who specialize in fixing misaligned teeth and bad bites. After examining patients to evaluate and diagnose tooth position and jaw development irregularities, orthodontists provide various treatment options to straighten crooked teeth and align the jaw correctly.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree, four years of dental school, and two-to-four years of residency training are required.

Click here for orthodontist jobs

10. Petroleum Engineer

Stress tolerance: 68

Median salary: $135,690

Job description: Petroleum engineers devise methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits beneath the Earth’s surface. They improve upon current oil and gas extraction methods and determine the need for new or modified extraction tools. They oversee drilling efforts, monitor production rates, and direct and monitor the evaluation of wells.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or other related engineering fields is typically required.

Click here for petroleum engineer jobs

11. Nuclear Engineer

Stress tolerance: 70

Median salary: $125,460

Job description: Nuclear engineers develop the processes and tools used to derive advantages from nuclear energy. They design and develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores and radiation shielding, and direct the operations of nuclear plants to ensure they meet all safety standards. Nuclear engineers may initiate corrective actions and examine those incidents to design better preventative measures in emergencies.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering is typically required for entry-level employment as a nuclear engineer.

Click here for nuclear engineer jobs

12. Actuary

Stress tolerance: 57

Median salary: $127,580

Job description: Found primarily in the insurance industry, actuaries analyze the risk and probability of potential events, such as death, accidents, sickness, and disability. Using this data, they forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits.

Education requirements/training: A Bachelor’s degree and possible further certifications are typically required.

Click here for actuary jobs

13. Astronomer

Stress tolerance: 71

Median salary: $128,940

Job description: Astronomers study a variety of celestial bodies, such as planets, stars, and galaxies, using ground-based and space-based equipment — from radio and optical telescopes to the Hubble Space Telescope. Some may study marvels such as neutron stars and black holes; others monitor space debris that could impact and interfere with satellites.

Education requirements/training: You’ll typically need post-doctoral training for academic positions. However, you may find assistant positions in observatories with a bachelor’s degree in astronomy or a related scientific discipline.

Note that this lower-stress job also appears on our list of the most interesting jobs in every state.

Click here for astronomer jobs

14. Computer Network Architect

Stress tolerance: 71

Median salary: $133,930

Job description: Design and build computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), and intranets. These communications can range in scale, from small connections between offices to cloud infrastructures that serve multiple customers. They create network models, develop disaster recovery plans, and update existing hardware, such as routers and adaptors, as needed.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field is typically required.

Click here for computer network architect jobs

15. Chief Sustainability Officer

Stress tolerance: 74

Median salary: $206,680

Job description: Chief sustainability officers communicate sustainability issues to management, shareholders, customers, and employees. This includes developing and executing plans to address issues ranging from energy use and resource conservation to recycling and waste elimination. They research sustainability issues, assess sustainability initiatives' viability, and monitor sustainability programs' effectiveness.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree in business or environmental science is typically required, but some positions may require advanced degrees.

Click here for chief sustainability officer jobs

16. Software Developers, Systems Software

Stress tolerance: 73

Median salary: $132,270

Job description: Software developers that focus on systems software research, design, and develop operating systems-level software for applications that span a variety of industries, from medical and industrial to military and aerospace. They modify existing software to fix errors, adapt to new hardware, and develop software system testing by applying computer science and engineering techniques.

Education requirements/training: Developers will need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field.

Click here for software systems developer jobs

17. Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Manager

Stress tolerance: 75

Median salary: $152,350

Job description: Biofuels/biodiesel technology and product development managers work toward reducing the reliance on oil-based fuels (which have a greater impact on the environment). To do that, they design and conduct biodiesel or biofuel research projects that evaluate alternative process technologies that can potentially go to market in the near term. They can work on projects ranging from transport and thermodynamics to filtration and extraction.

Education requirements/training: Most positions require at least a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree in biochemistry or biophysics may be required.

Click here for biofuels product developer manager jobs

18. Wind Energy Operations Manager

Stress tolerance: 75

Median salary: $124,650

Job description: Wind energy project managers manage the development of potential wind energy opportunities. They create the plans for wind energy projects, direct all project-related activities, such as development, energy assessment, and engineering, and manage the costs of these projects throughout the process.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree, typically in an engineering field, is typically required.

Click here for wind energy operations manager jobs

19. Marketing Manager

Stress tolerance: 75

Median salary: $156,680

Job description: Marketing managers organize and direct the marketing policies and programs of businesses and organizations. Responsibilities include determining the demand for products and services and identifying potential customers. Marketing managers are responsible for developing a balance of pricing strategies to maximize profit and ensuring the organization’s customers are satisfied.

Education requirements/training: Typically, marketing professionals will need a bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, or a related field.

Click here for marketing manager jobs

20. Software Developers, Applications

Stress tolerance: 75

Median salary: $130,160

Job description: These software developers specialize in creating and modifying computer applications software. Simply put, they produce applications that run on computers or other devices. After analyzing users’ needs, these software developers create, test, and develop applications that meet those needs. They may also modify existing application software to correct errors, improve performance, or adapt to new hardware.

Education requirements/training: Typically, a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field is required.

Click here for software application developer jobs

21. Purchasing Manager

Stress tolerance: 88

Median salary: $146,710

Job description: Purchasing managers plan and direct the activities of buyers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services for an organization. They represent companies in negotiating contracts with suppliers and developing cost-reduction strategies. Purchasing managers also maintain records of items bought, costs, deliveries, and inventories.

Education requirements/training: A Bachelor’s degree and experience in procurement is generally required.

Click here for purchasing manager jobs

22. Electronics Engineer

Stress tolerance: 66

Median salary: $109,010

Job description: Electronics engineers research, design, and develop electronic components and systems for various industries, including the military and the scientific community. Using their understanding of electronic theory, electronics engineers design electronic equipment, including broadcast and communications systems, from portable music players to devices utilizing Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

Education requirements/training: Most positions require a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or a related engineering field.

Click here for electronics engineer jobs

23. Biofuels Production Managers

Stress tolerance: 60

Median salary: $116,970

Job description: Biofuel production managers supervise plant operations and the production of biofuels. They collect data on the production and performance of the plant, oversee operations, and resolve issues affecting operational efficiency.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree is usually required. Relevant fields include chemical, mechanical, and industrial engineering, sustainability, and environmental chemistry.

Click here for biofuels production manager jobs

24. Natural Sciences Manager

Stress tolerance: 78

Median salary: $154,930

Job description: Natural sciences managers oversee the work of scientists in fields such as chemistry, physics, and biology. They supervise activities related to research and development, coordinate testing, quality control, and production activities, and review scientists’ methodology and the accuracy of their research results.

Education requirements/training: Typically, natural sciences managers have a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. in a scientific discipline.

Click here for natural sciences manager jobs

25. Aerospace Engineer

Stress tolerance: 77

Median salary: $134,330

Job description: Aerospace engineers coordinate the design, manufacture, and testing of aircraft and other aerospace products, such as missiles and spacecraft. These engineers conduct experimental, operational, and stress tests on prototypes, use mathematical models to develop designs and address technical problems with aircraft and aerospace vehicles.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or another related field is required.

Click here for aerospace engineer jobs

26. Optometrist

Stress tolerance: 78

Median salary: $143,000

Job description: Generally speaking, optometrists diagnose and treat visual problems. This includes conditions and diseases of the human eye, such as glaucoma or color blindness. They also prescribe and fit eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other aids to help improve vision and develop treatment plans based on the results of vision tests.

Education requirements/training: Completion of a four-year Doctor of Optometry (O.D) degree program is required.

Click here for optometrist jobs

27. Radiologist

Stress tolerance: 84

Median salary: $353,960

Job description: The primary responsibility of a radiologist is to examine and diagnose disorders and diseases using medical imaging procedures, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), mammography, or ultrasound. They interpret the outcomes of these diagnostic imaging procedures, prepare reports on their findings, and deliver the results to other physicians, patients, or patients’ families.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree in radiology or a related field, four years of medical school, and residency programs are required.

Click here for radiologist jobs

28. Public Relations and Fundraising Managers

Stress tolerance: 84

Median salary: $130,480

Job description: Public relations managers plan and coordinate activities and materials that will improve the public image of their employer or client through press releases and advertising and promotion programs. Fundraising managers are tasked with planning and coordinating fundraising strategies to solicit funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations. They often meet with donors, apply for grants, and manage the progress of achieving an organization’s fundraising goals.

Education requirements/training: PR managers typically have a bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, fundraising, or a related field.

Click here for public relations manager jobs

29. Computer and Information Systems Managers

Stress tolerance: 79

Median salary: $169,510

Job description: Computer and information systems managers plan and coordinate activities in fields such as electronic data processing, information systems, and computer programming. They may help determine an organization’s information technology goals and are tasked with implementing computer systems to meet those goals.

Education requirements/training: A bachelor’s degree in computer or information science, plus related work experience.

Click here for computer and information systems manager jobs

30. Nuclear Medicine Physician

Stress tolerance: 82

Median salary: $208,000

Job description: Nuclear medicine physicians are medical doctors who use radioactive materials and techniques to diagnose and treat diseases. They prescribe radionuclides and dosages to be administered to patients and interpret imaging data to formulate diagnoses while maintaining radiation protection standards for patients and staff.

Education requirements/training: Training includes a bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school, and a residency program.

Click here for nuclear medicine physician jobs

How to find low-stress jobs

Although a job board can provide you with interesting jobs in any given field, sometimes you don’t know what a job is really like until you’re doing it. To get an idea of what the day-to-day holds, consider contacting someone in your network with experience in a particular role. An insider’s opinion of a profession can reveal nuances you normally can’t get through a job description.

If you don’t know anyone in your network who’s in the position you’re interested in, LinkedIn can be a great place to connect with someone who might be willing to shed some light on the new career you’re considering. Search for and join some LinkedIn groups related to your desired field. Follow the conversations in those groups and engage with others as you learn. Doing so will help you grow your network and better understand what to expect when considering new roles. Plus, those new connections might also help open some doors for you once you're further along in your job search.

Our methodology for choosing low-stress jobs

We looked to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to find these low-stress careers. O*NET is a free, online U.S. Department of Labor database detailing job specifics of nearly 1,000 different roles.

O*NET assigns each job a stress tolerance score ranging from zero to 100, which measures how often workers must accept criticism and deal with stressful situations. Jobs with a lower score typically require a lower stress tolerance, while jobs with a higher score require a higher one. According to O*NET, some of the most stressful, highest-paying jobs include urologists, anesthesiologist assistants, and nurse anesthetists, which have stress tolerance scores of 100, 98, and 98, respectively.

If you're looking for some seriously low-stress jobs, you may want to consider a chill weekend side job or some clever ways to make extra cash on the side. For the purposes of this list, we focus on full-time jobs, and while the jobs on our list aren’t completely stress-free, we chose them because they rank among the least stressful high-paying careers out there. Most offer a positive work environment and work-life balance, which can be a welcome change if you're currently in a high-stress role.

Flexible side hustles to consider

FAQs

Bottom line

Not all jobs that provide a hefty paycheck need to come with hefty stress levels. If you’re feeling like the pressure of your high-stress job is too much to bear, several occupations out there can boost your income without raising your blood pressure.

Or if you're looking for something off the beaten path, consider one of these weird jobs that pay well.