15 Low-Stress, High-Paying Jobs in 2025

Many high-paying jobs come with a lot of stress, but not all careers are like that. If you’re looking for a job that offers a good salary without the pressure, there are plenty of options to consider.

What are low-stress jobs?

Low-stress jobs typically involve fewer demands, more predictable work hours, supportive environments, and manageable workloads. High-paying, low-stress jobs are perfect if you want to avoid burnout while still earning a good income.

If you’re looking for a low-stress role, keep an eye out for jobs with few physical demands or roles that offer remote options. Working remotely can give you the flexibility to create a comfortable work environment and avoid the extra time spent commuting.

Here are 15 high-paying, low-stress jobs you can pursue in 2025 (many, but not all, offer remote options):

1. Water resource specialist

• Median annual salary: $157,740
• Number of jobs (2023): 100,100
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 8%
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Job responsibilities for water resource specialists

Water resource specialists ensure regional and municipal water supplies are clean, safe, and sustainably managed. They monitor water quality and develop conservation strategies to ensure this important resource is used properly.

This profession doesn’t include much physical stress and has a predictable environment with structured responsibilities where high-pressure situations are easily avoided. With the increasing need to conserve our natural resources, this job is in demand and receives a competitive wage.

2. Astronomer

• Median annual salary: $149,530
• Number of jobs (2023): 23,500
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 7%
• Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

Job responsibilities for astronomers

Astronomers study stars, planets, meteorite showers, and related phenomena involved in the universe. They spend their career in a low-stress environment focusing on research, working mainly on long-term projects in controlled, academic, or institutional settings.

The work you’ll do won’t involve high-pressure deadlines. Instead, you’ll manage your schedule based on straightforward goals. You won’t work in a hierarchical office-like setting, so opportunities to work remotely with flexible timing provide the opportunity for a good work-life balance.

3. Actuary

• Median annual salary: $120,000
• Number of jobs (2023): 30,200
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 22%
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Job responsibilities for actuaries

Actuaries help businesses analyze financial risks to help them make informed decisions about any kind of investment. In this line of work, you do analytical studies and have clear goals and deadlines, usually in a calm office environment.

Actuaries rarely face high-pressure deadlines, as their tasks are based on creating long-term plans and risk management. This is a well-paying career that is in demand across many fields, with very manageable stress levels.

4. Environmental economist

• Median annual salary: $115,730
• Number of jobs (2023): 17,500
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%
• Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree

Job responsibilities for environmental economists

Environmental economists check the economic impacts of environmental policies, projects, and regulations. In this role, you help organizations or governments evaluate the costs and benefits of projects surrounding sustainable development and resource management.

The work is focused on long-term planning, addressing meaningful issues such as climate change or sustainable energy development. Due to the growth in demand for sustainable solutions, this career provides the opportunity for higher pay.

5. Mathematician

• Median annual salary: $104,860
• Number of jobs (2023): 34,800
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 11%
• Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree

Job responsibilities for mathematicians

Mathematicians solve problems and explore patterns with math, helping industries like tech, finance, and engineering make smarter decisions. Most work happens in calm, structured environments like research labs or universities. The job focuses on careful problem-solving rather than fast-paced or high-pressure tasks.

High-paying industries like tech and finance value these skills, offering excellent salaries and job stability. It’s an ideal career for those who love solving puzzles and want rewarding, low-stress work.

6. Computer systems analyst

• Median annual salary: $103,800
• Number of jobs (2023): 527,200
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 11%
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Job responsibilities for computer systems analysts

Computer systems analysts help businesses get the most out of their technology. They look at how a company uses its current computer systems — such as software, hardware, and networks — and figure out what’s working, what isn’t, and how to improve it.

The work is thoughtful and collaborative, not chaotic, with plenty of time to focus on meaningful solutions. Their specialized skills are in high demand, and the option to work remotely adds flexibility, making it a well-paying, balanced career.

7. Fuel cell engineer

• Median annual salary: $99,510
• Number of jobs (2023): 291,900
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 11%
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Job responsibilities for fuel cell engineers

Fuel cell engineers design, develop, and improve fuel cell systems that generate clean energy for vehicles, buildings, and other applications.

Fuel cell engineers enjoy low stress as their work focuses on innovative, long-term solutions for clean energy, often in research-focused or collaborative environments. Their specialized expertise in cutting-edge technology is highly valued, leading to excellent pay and strong job security in a growing industry.

8. Remote sensing scientist and technologist

• Median annual salary: $92,580
• Number of jobs (2023): 26,000
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Job responsibilities for remote sensing scientists and technologists

Remote sensing scientists and Technologists use satellite and aerial data to analyze and research critical challenges such as climate change, disaster management, agriculture, and urban planning.

Their expertise is in high demand because industries and governments rely on remote sensing for accurate, large-scale insights, such as tracking deforestation or monitoring natural disasters. This specialized work offers excellent pay, remote work flexibility, and a calm, research-driven environment.

9. Geographer

• Median annual salary: $90,880
• Number of jobs (2023): 1600
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 3%
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Job responsibilities for geographers

Geographers study the Earth’s physical features and human activities to better adapt towards urban development, environmental management, and disaster planning.

Geographic data is needed for important decision-making, from mapping climate change impacts to planning sustainable cities. With flexible remote work options and research-focused opportunities, it’s a career with meaningful impact and high earnings.

10. Transportation planner

• Median annual salary: $81,800
• Number of jobs (2023): 45,200
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 4%
• Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree

Job responsibilities for transportation planners

Transportation planners shape the way we move by designing systems that make travel smoother, faster, and more sustainable. They work on exciting projects like reducing traffic, expanding public transit, and creating bike-friendly cities, making them key players in improving urban life.

With cities focused on greener and smarter infrastructure, their skills are in high demand, offering great pay and a chance to create lasting change — all while working in a thoughtful, low-stress environment.

Low-stress, high-paying jobs without a degree

No degree? No problem. Here are 5 low-stress jobs that pay above the US median and are projected to have good growth.

11. Rail car repairer

• Median annual salary: $61,000
• Number of jobs (2023): 22,600
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 9%
• Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Job responsibilities for rail car repairers

Railcar repairers keep trains running smoothly by doing maintenance work on railcars. Their job involves hands-on tasks like fixing brakes and checking for structural issues.

While the job can be physically demanding, the repetitive nature of the work means you’ll know what to expect, helping to keep stress levels low. There’s a strong demand for skilled repairers, and this role offers solid pay and job stability in a predictable, steady environment.

12. Taper

• Median annual salary: $57,010
• Number of jobs (2023): 136,600
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 3%
• Typical educational requirements: No formal educational credential

Job responsibilities for tapers

Tapers are essential to the construction process as they seal seams and smooth wall surfaces to prepare them for painting or finishing. Their work is hands-on and detail-oriented, following repetitive techniques that make the job steady and predictable.

While it can be physically demanding, the satisfaction of creating flawless walls and knowing what to expect each day keeps stress levels low. There’s no shortage of demand in construction and renovation, and this role will offer reliable pay and job stability in a straightforward, rewarding trade.

13. Pump operator

• Median annual salary: $54,690
• Number of jobs (2023): 11,700
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%
• Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Job responsibilities for pump operators

Pump operators manage pumps that transfer liquids, gases, or powdered materials. They usually have a predictable workday, monitoring equipment and making adjustments.

You know what to expect and the structured nature of the tasks helps keep stress low. With strong demand in fields like oil and gas, manufacturing, and construction, pump operators will have job security plus a decent salary.

14. Tire builder

• Median annual salary: $54,080
• Number of jobs (2023): 20,700
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 3%
• Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Job responsibilities for tire builders

Tire builders use specialized machinery to craft durable, high-quality tires.

The work is hands-on and requires precision, but the step-by-step process makes it predictable and manageable. While it can be physically demanding, it’s a steady job with strong demand in the automotive and manufacturing industries, offering a good wage and the satisfaction of building something essential every day.

15. Craft artist

• Median annual salary: $52,910
• Number of jobs (2023): 54,000
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 3%
• Typical educational requirements: No formal educational credential

Job responsibilities for craft artists

Craft artists use their imagination to create unique pieces like pottery, jewelry, textiles, and more. Their work involves creativity and hands-on skills, allowing them to design and produce art that reflects their vision.

While it requires focus and dedication, the flexibility to set their own pace and style makes it a fulfilling, low-stress career. Ideal for people with an appreciation for creating handmade and one-of-a-kind goods, craft artists can find opportunities to earn through galleries, markets, and online shops, turning their passion into a rewarding livelihood.

Methodology

The data included here comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and O*NET, specifically their Stress Tolerance page, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Our research focused on jobs that would have a low-stress tolerance but offer high pay in a growing job market.

To narrow down our search, we set a minimum median annual salary of $48,060 and looked for jobs with a stress tolerance level of 60 and below. We ranked the remaining occupations by their median annual wage, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, and selected the 10 highest-paying jobs that met our criteria for further analysis. We then identified the highest-paying jobs within a growing job market that met the same minimum stress tolerance criteria and did not require a degree. From these, we selected five positions for further analysis.

Limitations

The study is limited to occupations in the United States and may not reflect global trends. Please note that labor market conditions are subject to change, and the data reflects the situation as of 2025.

While our research team made efforts to ensure objectivity and thoroughness in the selection process, we acknowledge that there is no single unit for measuring stress and that factors and preferences may be interpreted differently when identifying “low-stress” occupations.

Sources

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