13 of the Best Low-Stress Jobs in 2024

To quote one of the most high-profile psychologists in the world Gregg Stutz (made all the more high profile recently, thanks to Jonah Hill), the three aspects of reality are pain, uncertainty, and constant work.

Modern life revolves around work so much that it is an all-consuming aspect of reality. And when work takes the forefront of life, stress is never too far away!

Jobs that are low in stress could be considered by many people as unfulfilling. But what if it didn’t have to be like this? What if you could find a fulfilling and low-stress job, allowing for a healthy balance between personal and professional life?

This article offers insight into some of the least stressful professions that not only support your financial well-being but also nurture your mental and emotional health.

Stress-light jobs can be found in a wide range of industries, from medicine to beauty.

Who knows – maybe the variation this list draws on could offer the inspiration you need to make a career change that will put your health first. Let’s take a look!

What Constitutes As A Low-Stress Job? 

Having a low-stress job can mean different things to different people, but some of the factors that most people will agree on are manageable work hours, predictable job responsibilities, and a certain sense of security.

1. Compliance Officer

Compliance officers will largely know exactly what is expected of them, as their job is to adhere to a strict set of regulations and guidelines.

The types of workplaces that make use of a compliance officer are usually well-established organizations such as banks or government agencies.

This can give way to an increased sense of job security. What’s more, the regulatory landscape tends to evolve less rapidly than the market – offering a buffer of sorts to rapid change and uncertainty.

High-stakes business decisions don’t usually fall on the shoulders of compliance officers, as their role for the most part is to advise and monitor a company’s activities to ensure adherence to the law.

2. Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts tend to work predictable hours, which is a key aspect of maintaining a good work-life balance and keeping stress levels under control!

While their work may be mentally challenging, it is not associated with physical and emotional demands such as hazards or dealing with the well-being of others.

If you are that way inclined, the job of an operations research analyst allows for ample opportunities to tackle complex and stimulating problems, which fosters job satisfaction and lowers stress.

3. University Professor

University professors often have the ability to set class times, office hours, and research agendas.

This can allow for better work-life balance and security in the event of unforeseen circumstances arising.

Although difficult to achieve, strong protections are set in place to prevent wrongful dismissal once tenure has been procured. This can reduce concerns about instability and stress!

University professors usually become university professors because they are passionate about learning and teaching. Being in a position to facilitate learning for the next generation can be incredibly rewarding.

4. Dietitian

Dietitians have a unique job in that they have the ability to directly influence the wellbeing of their clients. Helping people make healthier decisions can be fulfilling and rewarding.

While admin is a part of almost all jobs, Dietitians rarely have an overwhelming amount of paperwork they need to do in order to keep ticking. This is much more than can be said for some other healthcare professions!

Lots of dietitians work in places such as healthcare settings, schools, or private practices, usually with the benefit of regular hours.

5. Medical Records Technician

Most medical records technicians follow a fairly standard schedule, allowing for more predictability and work-life balance.

This aspect can make the job of a medical records technician considerably less emotionally taxing than other professions in healthcare.

While taking care of the administrative side of things is vitally important in their own right, medical records technicians aren’t ultimately responsible for patient outcomes.

6. Hair Stylist

Hair salons and beauty parlors are typically designed with the customers’ relaxation in mind. While they are essentially a hair stylist’s office, this contributes to a low-stress working environment!

Hair stylists have ample opportunities to build quality rapport with their clients. If they are good at their jobs, their clients will have every reason to want to build a genuine connection with them.

Unlike many other jobs, hair stylists are not required to have extensive education and training.

While some education and training is definitely required, this is usually more laidback in nature compared to traditional education.

7. Librarian

All of the stressors that can be related to noisy and volatile work environments are removed in a library environment, where serenity and calmness are of primary importance.

Most libraries have set opening hours within which most librarians will work. While some librarians may have tasks that need to be done outside of these hours, they have very predictable working hours for the most part.

Librarians have surprisingly varied daily agendas in their workplaces. From ensuring the running of the library and assisting customers to organizing special community events, no two days will be quite the same for a librarian!

8. Data Scientist

The relative shortage of data scientists in the workforce means that those with the appropriate skill set are essentially guaranteed employment, which reduces unpredictability (and therefore stress).

Data science is for the most part a lucrative domain. Data scientists often earn 6-figure salaries, although this depends on a range of different variables.

Data scientists often encounter lots of variation in their day-to-day, with no two projects ever being exactly alike!

9. Massage Therapist

Much like hair stylists, massage therapists work in environments designed to ensure the relaxation of their clients.

Massage therapists have more physically involved jobs than a lot of other professionals, which promotes well-being.

Most massage therapists will not have to deal with a lot of paperwork on a day-to-day basis, with most of their time spent meeting their clients’ unique needs.

10. Audiologist

Thanks to an aging population and an increased awareness of the importance of hearing health, the skill set possessed by audiologists has become increasingly under demand.

The work audiologists partake in often has very positive outcomes for their clients. This enables a greater sense of job fulfillment and lower stress levels.

Most audiologists will operate from a specialized clinic or healthcare facility, which offers predictability and security.

11. Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technician’s primary job description is to assist pharmacists in serving patients, meaning most of the work they do involves gathering and preparing medicines, not interacting with patients.

Compared to their peers such as pharmacists or other healthcare professionals, fewer educational certifications are required of pharmacy technicians –, making the position relatively accessible for someone interested in entering the medical field.

Pharmacy technicians often work under the supervision of more qualified or experienced pharmacists, reducing legal or ethical liability in the case of an unlikely complication.

12. Jeweler

Jewelers are often masters of their craft who combine creativity with a mastery of mediums such as rare metals and crystals. This allows the ability to express their personality in their work.

This sense of mastery and identity reduces stress and can increase well-being!

Jewelry is one of the oldest industries to date, and the enduring nature of the craft is a testament to the unwavering value humans place on art, quality craftsmanship, and beauty.

As long as people value these objects, jewelers are going to have customers – which of course contributes to financial, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

Although there are some physical aspects to the job, the extent of this physical labor is less pronounced than in many other professions. This can enhance physical well-being – a vital component of a low-stress job.

13. Appliance Repairer

Most appliance repairers have extensive mechanical knowledge and experience.

Combined with the fact many appliances work using the same basic technological principles, it is unlikely they will be dealing with entirely unseen issues on a day-to-day basis in their line of work.

Whether they like it or not, most people are reliant on household appliances such as fridges, washing machines, and TVs that they use every day (but take for granted).

When these appliances inevitably begin to misfire, appliance repairers are usually their first port of call. A constant demand helps with financial and mental well-being and therefore helps to keep stress to a minimum.

While some appliance repairers may be contracted to repair various household appliances on-site, many operate in workshops removed from customers.

This type of quiet environment can suit lots of different people, helping to reduce stress and enhance well-being and job satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we’ve explored what constitutes a low-stress job, why it might be desirable for many people, and provided 13 different examples of low-stress jobs that are still highly sought-after.

If stress is a big part of your life and you are considering a career change as a result, we hope this list has been helpful to you!