Jobs with Low Stress and High Pay

By Bridget Quigg

Do you feel like you’re just making it through day after grueling day of work while only barely keeping up with your bills? Maybe it’s time you considered a low stress job that pays well. They do exist, according to the fortunate folks who have discovered them.

Online salary database PayScale.com recently conducted a survey and asked workers about their stress levels at work. Those jobs considered “low stress” were rated as “a little stressful,” “not stressful” or “relaxing” by at least 40 percent of the respondents in the survey.

And, it turns out that many of these jobs pay well. The following are 10 well-paid, low stress gigs. We’ve included the requirements for getting started in these jobs and how much they pay per year, according to PayScale.com.

1. Biostatistician $86,000/year

If you’re a natural number cruncher and lover of science, biostatistics will keep you employed, well-funded and, apparently, happy. Most statistician jobs require a master’s degree and 30 percent of statisticians are employed by the government, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

2. Software Developer $70,000/year

Here’s a great job that’s expected to be in very high demand in the coming years, according to the BLS. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree or higher will have better job prospects and earnings. Obviously, some developer jobs are more stressful than others depending on the company you work for, but many developers attest that the low-stress gigs do exist.

3. Business Analyst, IT $69,000/year

As companies adopt more complicated technologies going forward, business analysts with IT skills will be in high demand. A bachelor’s degree will get you started, though a master’s will put you ahead of the competition.

4. Physical Therapist (PT) $69,000 /year

This gig puts you in direct contact with people and offers the satisfaction of helping others. Plus, it has great prospects for the future as demand for physical therapists is growing, according to the BLS. You must complete at least a master’s degree, pass a national exam and gain licensure in your state.

5. Mechanical Engineer $68,000/year

Mechanical engineers design industrial equipment and consumer products of all kinds. Perhaps being able to actually create something makes this job satisfying and lower in stress. You need a bachelor’s degree to enter the field.

6. Aircraft Pilot, Corporate Jet $64,000/year

While pilots who fly jumbo jets for major airlines or take military planes into enemy territory may feel a lot of stress, the pilots who fly corporate jets report little stress on the job. Getting this gig requires extensive training, thousands of hours of flight time and, increasingly, a bachelor’s degree.

7. Database Analyst $60,000/year

Database experts will be in very high demand through 2018, according to the BLS. Analysts help companies optimize how they store, organize, use and present data. A bachelor’s degree is common, though an associate’s degree, professional certifications and work experience may also get you a job.

8. Financial Analyst $59,000/year

Financial analysts advise people or companies on investment decisions. Their work can be very highly paid, depending on expertise and the size of the investments. A bachelor’s degree is required, as well as various professional certifications and licenses.

9. Technical Writer $56,000/year

A technical writer has a knack for making complicated topics easy to understand. The job requires a bachelor’s degree, ideally in communications, journalism and English, and it helps to have expertise in a technical topic. Job prospects here are good, especially when writing for the Web.

10. Internal Auditor $56,000/year

As business regulations become more stringent, internal auditors will be more in demand. An internal auditor checks to make sure that a company’s internal financial controls are working and looks for waste or fraud. The work requires a bachelor’s degree, at least, though a master’s degree and further certification improves earnings and job prospects.

Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with 5-8 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.