Every job has some form of stress that it can provide.
Stress cannot be avoided 100% of the time.
It is a misconception, however, to think that a person must deal with high levels of stress to find a good-paying job.
You can still earn a good paycheck and have a career that minimizes the amount of stress that you face every day.
If you?re tired of coming home every day from work feeling tired and numb because you?ve been coping with high stress levels, then it could be time for a career change.
There are several occupations across many different industries that can lower your anxiety and potentially give you a raise at the same time.
It is possible. There are different good-paying, low stress jobs that are open right now.
If you hate stress, here are the career options that might be right for you.
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#1. Technical Writer
In this job, you would be responsible for creating instructional manuals, tests, technical manuals, or journal articles for complex products or services.
Technical writers are also responsible for creating operating instructions, assembly instructions, or other documents to help everyone understand and adapt to the complexities involved.
Many technical writers can work independently and some are able to telecommute.
It is also a career opportunity for freelancing if desired.
To become a technical writer, you may be required to have a 4-year degree in writing or the technical field in question.
Many employers want a writer with 2-5 years of experience.
Primary Stress Point: Deadlines. Technical writers must complete project drafts and/or revisions by a specific time, based on client or employer demands.
The average annual salary for a technical writer is about $70,000.
#2. Art Director
This job requires you to create the visual images and styles that are seen in modern media.
It is a leadership position, supervising the creative output of a team in the overall design and layout of a project.
The work of an art director can be seen on websites, product packaging, movie trailers, and all forms of print media.
Many art directors will need to have experience in multiple creative avenues to find success.
That means finding work as a photographer, copy editor, illustrator, or graphic designer before proceeding to a supervisory position.
To become an art director, you are typically required to have a 4-year degree in a creative field.
About 15% of all art directors work for advertising or public relations firms.
Primary Stress Point: Networking. An art director must be able to stay on top of trending ideas while coordinating their team to complete projects on-time.
The average annual salary for an art director is about $90,000.
#3. Hydrologist
Hydrology is the study of how water moves through or across the crust of the Earth.
Working as a hydrologist, you would study different forms of precipitation and how it impacts groundwater levels, the flow of a river, and the entirety of the water cycle.
The goal of these studies is to solve problems that are related to the quality of water and its availability.
Many hydrologists work independently out in the field, collecting water samples from streams and rivers.
Soil samples may also be collected.
Then the data from these samples must be analyzed to simulate what future conditions may be.
Findings are then prepared into presentations, written reports, and other formats.
To become a hydrologist, it is often necessary to have a graduate degree.
Some entry-level positions are available with a 4-year degree.
Primary Stress Point: Accuracy. Hydrologists are tasked with assessing potential risks to the water supply by various threats, including drought, flooding, and pollution.
The average annual salary for a hydrologist is about $80,000.
#4. Actuary
Working as an actuary means using data to help determine what future events may be.
They design creative methods to reduce the chances of a negative event occurring or finding ways to decrease the impact of a negative event if it does occur.
The overall goal of an actuary is to help businesses and individuals manage the complex risks that occur in a modern society.
Actuaries use a combination of science, statistics, and financial theory to assess risks.
Then policies are developed to help counter those risks.
It is an independent position with the potential for telecommuting.
Most actuaries work for the insurance industry.
To become an actuary, a 4-year degree in statistics, mathematics, or business is necessary.
There is a series of exams that must also be passed to become a certified professional.
Primary Stress Point: Repetition. Actuaries are constantly looking at data and then delivering answers based on what they see.
The average annual salary for an actuary is about $98,000.
#5. Geoscientist
In this good-paying, low stress job, it is necessary to study the composition of the Earth.
Geoscientists look at the structure and processes of the planet to understand the past, make educated guesses about the future, and manage the present.
It is often outdoor work, sometimes in very remote locations, with some administrative or laboratory responsibilities.
Geoscientists are regularly performing investigatory work.
Research is a common requirement.
There may also be writing responsibilities for creating reports.
Many geoscientists are employed by the petroleum industry.
To become a geoscientist, a 4-year degree in this field is necessary.
In the United States, there may also be a requirement of licensure for services to be offered to the public.
Primary Stress Point: Working Hours. The schedule of a geoscientist can be quite irregular. There may be extensive travel requirements, including trekking into remote areas for extended stays.
The average annual salary for a geoscientist is about $89,000.
#6. Agricultural Engineer
This job requires individuals to integrate modern technologies into agricultural work.
Agricultural engineers are responsible for designing, creating, and improving farming equipment and machinery.
They may also be responsible for building infrastructures for the agricultural sector, including the creation of reservoirs, warehousing, and similar structures.
Agricultural engineers also look for ways to generate eco-friendly power resources.
Pollution control is another specialty field for this career option.
In this career, you would test equipment, parts, and machinery.
To become an agricultural engineer, a 4-year degree in either biological or agricultural engineering is required.
There may be certification or licensure requirements as well, depending on the specific job duties that are required.
Primary Stress Point: Working Conditions. Agricultural engineers often work longer hours in warmer weather to complete a project. Extensive travel to agricultural settings is required in many instances. Some positions, however, are strictly office-based.
The average annual salary for an agricultural engineer is about $75,000.
#7. Economist
This career option studies the production and distribution of resources and goods.
This is done through the collection of data, analyzing it, and then researching trends to determine what issues may face a community, an organization, or a country in the future.
Economists work independently and it is a job that is based in a general office environment.
Some economists may work on teams with each other or work with statisticians to refine their forecasts.
It is generally a full-time position with regular working hours and minimal overtime requirements.
To become an economist, it may be necessary to obtain a doctorate?s degree.
Entry-level jobs may require a graduate degree in the private sector.
In the public sector, a 4-year degree may be enough for career entry.
Primary Stress Point: Repetition. Economists are constantly looking at statistics and data points, extrapolating information from what they see and reporting it. Disagreements about what the data may indicate may be a secondary stress point for some in this employment opportunity.
The average annual salary for an economist is about $100,000.
#8. Geographer
Geographers will study the Earth.
This encompasses the land, its features, and its inhabitants.
Cultural and political structures may also be examined.
This is done through various research methods, from surveys to focus groups.
From this information, maps are created or modified.
Geographic data may be put into other visual graphics as well for distribution.
Geographers work independently and will generally be in a teaching position.
Fieldwork is common to gather information.
There are numerous specialties available in this field, including medical, political, and economic geography.
To become a geographer, a 4-year degree in this field is often necessary.
Some entry-level positions may be available with some college coursework completed.
To obtain a teaching position, a graduate degree is often necessary.
Primary Stress Point: Availability. In 2014, the estimated number of jobs in this career field was just 1,400 in the United States. Over the next decade, the demand for this career outside of the public sector is expected to decline by 2%.
The average annual salary for a geographer is about $74,000.
#9. UX Designer
UX stands for ?User Experience.?
Designers are asked to optimize the experiences that humans have with various objects.
It is a career option that is available in numerous industries.
You can be tasked with improving the user experience of a board game, a web site, or an automobile.
The goal is to make the final product or service be easier to use while remaining attractive to those who use it.
UX designers are often self-employed, with some industries reporting a self-employment rate of over 14%.
For those who are employed full-time, they are generally working in systems design or in the product services industry.
It is an in-demand career option that is expected to see opportunities grow by nearly 30% in the next decade.
To become a UX designer, you must either have professional experience that can be reviewed in a portfolio or have an associate?s degree in your preferred field or industry.
Some positions may require a 4-year degree in graphic design or information technologies.
Primary Stress Point: Outcomes. Employers and clients expect results from the work of a UX designer. If those results are slow to come or do not materialize as expected, then it may be difficult to continue that working relationship.
The average annual salary for a UX designer is about $65,000.
#10. Librarian
A librarian is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a library.
Employment opportunities are available in the public and private sector.
You may be asked to manage an extensive private collection, a community library, or a library that is provided by a college or university.
It is a job that has a primary focus on information science.
A job opportunity may be listed as a ?Library Technician? or ?Library Assistant,? but both jobs fit into this one general category.
Librarians are also tasked with helping people find the information they need or teaching students how to use the library independently.
To become a librarian, it is often necessary to obtain a graduate degree in library science.
Some positions may be available with a 4-year degree in a teaching field.
It may be necessary to obtain a teaching certificate for some positions in this field.
Primary Stress Point: Social Interactions. Libraries are strictly managed environments that often follow a code of conduct. Enforcing that code can create uncomfortable social interactions with patrons.
The average annual salary for a librarian is about $57,000.
#11. Astronomer
Astronomers peer into the sky, looking to study the universe and how it works.
The goal is to look at how energy and matter interact.
Many also study the functions of time, look for new planets and stars, and perform experiments to test their findings.
Most astronomers work in an office environment.
Some fieldwork may be necessary.
Irregular working hours are common, especially for those who look into the night sky for new discoveries.
A doctorate degree is often required to work as an astronomer.
Some entry-level positions may be available with a graduate degree or less, especially in the public sector.
Primary Stress Point: Curriculum Development. Many astronomers work in academia to supplement their research work.
The average annual salary of an astronomer is about $111,000.
How about making money with your blog?
This is another low stress job that you can do from home and your earning potential is virtually unlimited.
Don?t worry if you don?t know how to create a blog and then how to monetize it!
You will learn everything here.
All you need to achieve success in this field is patience and perseverance.
If you don?t quit you will not fail.
In Conclusion
There are many good-paying, low stress jobs that are available as a career option right now.
It is never too late to consider a career change.
For those who are just starting their career, these options can help you keep stress levels low while still earning a solid paycheck.