A flight attendant working in close quarters with passengers is more likely to catch an infectious disease than a lawyer working in an office, for example. Factor in the greater exposure to cosmic radiation, abnormal sleep patterns, and a less-than-clean work environment, and it's just not the healthiest job.
To rank the most unhealthy jobs in America, we used data from the Occupational Information Network, a US Department of Labor database full of detailed information on occupations.
In order to analyze jobs by their impact on workers' health, we took O*NET measures of six health risks in each of the 974 occupations in the database: exposure to contaminants; exposure to disease and infection; exposure to hazardous conditions; exposure to radiation; risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings; and time spent sitting, since studies show that frequent inactivity shortens your lifespan. O*NET scores these factors on a scale from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating an increased health risk.
Read on to find out which jobs have the most potential to damage your health.
34 (tie). Radiologist
Radiologists examine and diagnose disorders and diseases using X-rays and radioactive materials.
Median annual salary: $206,920
Overall unhealthiness score: 52.8
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to radiation: 87
2. Exposure to disease and infections: 85
3. Time spent sitting: 74
34 (tie). Metal-refining furnace operators and tender
Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders operate or tend furnaces to melt and refine metal before casting or to produce specified types of steel.
Median annual salary: $41,040
Overall unhealthiness score: 52.8
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 100
2. Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings: 96
3. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 94
34 (tie). Embalmer
Embalmers prepare bodies for burial in conformity with legal requirements.
Median annual salary: $40,150
Overall unhealthiness score: 52.8
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 83
2. Exposure to contaminants: 83
3. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 75
34 (tie). Elevator installers and repairer
Elevator installers and repairers install and repair elevators.
Median annual salary: $78,890
Overall unhealthiness score: 52.8
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 98
2. Exposure to contaminants: 82
3. Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 61
33. Nuclear medicine technologist
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive isotopes for use in diagnostic medical procedures.
Median annual salary: $74,350
Overall unhealthiness score: 53.0
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to radiation: 100
2. Exposure to disease and infections: 93
3. Exposure to contaminants: 44
32. Refrigeration mechanics and installer
Refrigeration mechanics and installers install and repair industrial and commercial refrigerating systems.
Median annual salary: $45,910
Overall unhealthiness score: 53.3
Three biggest health risks:
1. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 93
2. Exposure to contaminants: 91
3. Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings: 71
31. Critical care nurse
Critical care nurses provide advanced nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.
Median annual salary: $68,450
Overall unhealthiness score: 53.5
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 99
2. Exposure to contaminants: 65
3. Exposure to radiation: 61
29 (tie). Service unit operator (oil, gas, and mining)
Service unit operators operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells and other mining operations.
Median annual salary: $48,610
Overall unhealthiness score: 53.7
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 94
2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 89
3. Risk of minor burns, cuts, stings, and bites: 77
29 (tie). Chemical plant and system operator
Chemical plant and system operators control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines.
Median annual salary: $59,920
Overall unhealthiness score: 53.7
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 99
2. Exposure to contaminants: 96
3. Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 71
27 (tie). Continuous mining-machine operators
Continuous mining-machine operators operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors or into shuttle cars in a continuous operation.
Median annual salary: $51,840
Overall unhealthiness score: 54.0
Three biggest health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 100
2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 98
3. Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings: 64
27 (tie). Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics assess injuries, administer emergency medical care, and extricate trapped individuals. Transport injured or sick people to medical facilities.
Median annual salary: $32,670
Overall unhealthiness score: 54.0
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 89
2. Exposure to contaminants: 73
3. Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings: 53
26. Refractory materials repairers (except brickmasons)
Refractory materials repairers build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.
Median annual salary: $45,230
Overall unhealthiness score: 54.8
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 100
2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 85
3. Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 85
25. Refuse and recyclable material collectors
Refuse and recyclable material collectors collect and dump refuse and recyclable materials into trucks.
Median annual salary: $35,270
Overall unhealthiness score: 55.0
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 97
2. Time spent sitting: 69
3. Exposure to disease and infections: 63
24. Nuclear equipment operation technicians
Nuclear equipment operation technicians operate equipment used for the release, control, or use of nuclear energy to assist scientists in laboratory or production activities.
Median annual salary: $79,140
Overall unhealthiness score: 55.2
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to radiation: 89
2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 77
3. Exposure to contaminants: 65
22 (tie). Medical equipment preparers
Medical equipment preparers prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
Median annual salary: $34,400
Overall unhealthiness score: 55.7
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 94
2. Exposure to disease and infections: 92
3. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 64
22 (tie). Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers navigate and pilot the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, usually on scheduled air-carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo.
Median annual salary: $127,820
Overall unhealthiness score: 55.7
Top three health risks:
1. Time spent sitting: 93
2. Exposure to radiation: 73
3. Exposure to contaminants: 68
21. Derrick operators (oil and gas)
Oil and gas derrick operators rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud through a drill hole.
Median annual salary: $48,130
Overall unhealthiness score: 56.0
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 100
2. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 93
3. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 91
20. Veterinary technologists and technician
Veterinary technologists and technicians perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals and prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases.
Median annual salary: $25,250
Overall unhealthiness score: 66.5
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 87
2. Exposure to contaminants: 82
3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 77
19. Medical and clinical laboratory technologist
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Median annual salary: $61,070
Overall unhealthiness score: 56.7
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 96
2. Exposure to contaminants: 91
3. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 79
18. Surgical technologists
Surgical technologists assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel.
Median annual salary: $45,160
Overall unhealthiness score: 57.3
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 82
2. Exposure to contaminants: 81
3. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 59
17. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
Stationary engineers and boiler operators maintain or operate stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes.
Median annual salary: $59,400
Overall unhealthiness score: 57.7
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 99
2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 89
3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 84
16. Surgical assistant
Surgical assistants help surgeons during surgery by performing duties like tissue retraction, insertion of tubes and intravenous lines, or closure of surgical wounds.
Median annual salary: $41,070
Overall unhealthiness score: 57.8
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 87
2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 70
3. Exposure to contaminants: 69
14 (tie). Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
Median annual salary: $45,760
Overall unhealthiness score: 58.2
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 97
2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 80
3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 74
14 (tie). Veterinarian
Veterinarians diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals.
Median annual salary: $48,500
Overall unhealthiness score: 62.3
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 88
2. Exposure to disease and infections: 77
3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 69
13. Histotechnologists and histologic technicians
Histotechnologists and histologic technicians prepare histologic slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists.
Median annual salary: $61,070
Overall unhealthiness score: 59.0
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 88
2. Exposure to contaminants: 76
3. Exposure to disease and infections: 75
12. Immigration and customs inspector
Immigration and customs inspectors investigate and inspect people, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the US or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.
Median annual salary: $78,120
Overall unhealthiness score: 59.3
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 78
2. Exposure to disease and infections: 63
3. Exposure to radiation: 62
11. Podiatrist
Podiatrists diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
Median annual salary: $124,830
Overall unhealthiness score: 60.2
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 87
2. Exposure to radiation: 69
3. Exposure to contaminants: 67
10. Anesthesiologist assistant
Anesthesiologist assistants help anesthesiologists administer anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures. They monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.
Median annual salary: $101,480
Overall unhealthiness score: 61.3
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 97
2. Exposure to radiation : 72
3. Exposure to contaminants: 71
9. Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists are physicians who administer anesthetics prior to, during, or after surgery or other medical procedures.
Mean annual salary: $269,600*
Overall unhealthiness score: 61.8
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 90
2. Exposure to contaminants: 81
3. Exposure to radiation: 72
* Exact median annual salary is unavailable for this occupation.
8. Flight attendant
Flight attendants provide personal services to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of airline passengers during flight. They greet passengers, verify tickets, explain use of safety equipment, and serve food or beverages.
Median annual salary: $48,500
Overall unhealthiness score: 62.3
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 88
2. Exposure to disease and infections: 77
3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 69
7. Prosthodontist
Prosthodontists construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures to correct natural and acquired deformation of mouth and jaws, to restore and maintain oral function, such as chewing and speaking, and to improve appearance.
Median annual salary: $126,050
Overall unhealthiness score: 63
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 88
2. Exposure to contaminants: 74
3. Time spent sitting: 66
6. Nurse anesthetist
Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia.
Median annual salary: $160,270
Overall unhealthiness score: 63.7
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 96
2. Exposure to contaminants: 87
3. Exposure to radiation: 79
5. Dental assistant
Dental assistants help dentists, set up equipment, prepare patients for treatment, and keep records.
Median annual salary: $36,940
Overall unhealthiness score: 65.5
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 96
2. Exposure to radiations: 85
3. Exposure to contaminants: 78
4. Dental laboratory technician
Dental laboratory technicians construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
Median annual salary: $37,680
Overall unhealthiness score: 65.7
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to contaminants: 99
2. Time spent sitting: 85
3. Exposure to disease and infections: 72
3. Veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretaker
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics.
Median annual salary: $25,250
Overall unhealthiness score: 66.5
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 87
2. Exposure to contaminants: 82
3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 77
2. General dentist
General dentists examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. They may treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth and fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
Median annual salary: $153,900
Overall unhealthiness score: 69.5
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 95
2. Exposure to radiation: 85
3. Time spent sitting: 82
1. Dental hygienist
Dental hygienists clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. They may educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.
Median annual salary: $72,910
Overall unhealthiness score: 72.8
Top three health risks:
1. Exposure to disease and infections: 100
2. Exposure to radiation: 91
3. Time spent sitting: 85
Max Nisen contributed to an earlier version of this post.
