Although there is not always a direct correlation, harder or more stressful jobs generally garner higher salaries than easier or less-stressful ones. But while high pay is enough for many workers to take on a high-stress job, for others, it’s simply not worth it. This list highlights jobs that may cause a level of stress that’s not justified by the pay, even at the six-figure level.
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Of course, this is a very subjective analysis. To say that a high-stress job “isn’t worth it” is a decision that each individual worker needs to make. But there are a number of jobs that have nearly continuous high levels of stress without commanding what many would say is an appropriately high salary, and they are listed below.
Nurse
Nursing can be a highly satisfying job for those that enjoy taking care of others. But objectively speaking, nurses are often considered to be overworked for the salaries they earn.
While nurses can make more than $100,000, they put in long hours performing tasks that are difficult to many, from handling bedpans and bodily fluids to dealing with emotionally abusive patients and death on a daily basis. This adds immensely to the daily stress level that nurses have to endure, and many burn out of the profession.
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Accountant
Accounting may not be “high stress” in the same fashion as nursing, but it does come with heavy responsibilities — along with what many would call a high level of tedium.
Accountants spend their lives poring through financial documents and spreadsheets, organizing and calculating numbers so that businesses and individuals don’t run afoul of IRS and industry regulations. In addition to what some would call the mind-numbing nature of handling all that information, accountants must also sign and approve their work, putting them on the line for when things are inaccurate.
Oil Rig Worker
Oil rig workers are in demand and can command high salaries because their job is so difficult. For starters, many oil rig workers are forced to live where they work, particularly if their job is on an offshore platform. This can create high levels of stress, especially for workers with families or those who don’t enjoy living in small spaces with others. But the actual day-to-day realities of working an oil rig are also demanding, from working near hazardous materials to operating heavy, loud machinery.
Surgeon
For some, being a surgeon is a lifelong calling that offers an immensely fulfilling career. But others find that the stressful reality overwhelms the high salary.
Surgeons have to make life-and-death decisions every day, and sometimes, no matter how skilled a surgeon is, things will go wrong. In addition to dealing with things like insurance and lawsuits, surgeons can also get mired in administrative paperwork, which is likely the last thing a person with the constitution to become a surgeon wants to do.
Consultant
In many ways, consulting can seem like a dream job to those attracted to this field. But there are major stresses associated with being a consultant that some overlook until they experience them firsthand.
One of these is constant travel. While not all consultants have to be away from home, many have to fly cross-country every single week to meet with their clients. This can seem like a fun adventure at first, but when it happens every week for years, particularly for those with families at home, it can be emotionally and physically draining. Consultants may also have to deal with unhappy and/or demanding clients, which can rapidly amp up the stress level.
Truck Driver
Americans love their cars. For some, there’s no better life than hitting the open road and taking in all of the country’s amazing sights. But there’s a big difference between the summer road trip you take with your family and driving a big rig truck as an occupation.
Truck drivers work long hours and transport heavy loads on tight schedules, which often creates high stress levels and burnout. From never-ending highways to heavy traffic to mechanical problems, generally while traveling alone, being a long-haul trucker can grow very wearisome. As they’re generally paid by the mile, truckers often feel compelled to work long hours even when they’re tired, creating exhausting and sometimes dangerous conditions.
Coal Miner
Coal miners might not be nearly as plentiful as they were in prior generations, but this is actually helping to keep salaries high in many areas, as some companies are struggling to find workers. But in exchange for what can be a six-figure salary, coal miners have to work in one of the most dangerous occupations in the world.
Hazards faced by coal miners include falling, entanglement, fire, explosions, respiratory hazards and noise exposure. Working underground in dark, tight spaces where breathing can be difficult and hazards abound is simply not worth it for many.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 High-Stress Jobs That Are Not Worth a 6-Figure Salary