CareerCast Lists 10 Most and Least Stressful Jobs for 2015

 Firefighter, enlisted military personnel, airline pilot and police officer top CareerCast’s 2015 list of the nation’s most stressful jobs due to their physical danger, unpredictability and negative psychological effects. People in these high-stress jobs work in constantly changing conditions, must be prepared for a crisis and be ready to keep people safe while remaining calm.

Some of the most stressful jobs of 2015 do not involve personal risk. Event coordinators, who are entrusted with seeing that the expectations of large groups are met without problem, face tight deadlines and high expectations. Rounding out the most stressful jobs are actor, broadcaster, photojournalist and lastly, newspaper reporter, which has a negative job growth of -13 percent, an average median salary of $37,090, and faces the constant threat of layoffs.

People who prefer a low-stress profession should consider a career as a hair stylist, audiologist, or university professor, three of the least stressful jobs of 2015.

“Stress can come from a variety of factors, including tight deadlines, long hours and the need to put your life on the line while protecting others,” explains Tony Lee, publisher at CareerCast.com. “It takes a thick skin and keen attention detail to thrive in environments fraught with hazards and long hours.”

While several of the least stressful jobs, such as hair stylist, seamstress and forklift operator, do not require an advanced degree, landing a less-stressful job may require a higher level of education. Of the 10 least-stressful jobs, half require at least a bachelor’s degree.  Audiologists and tenured university professors require postsecondary education and some positions require doctorates.