12 Low-Stress Jobs That Pay $60,000 or More

We’ve all been in a high-stress work environment, but higher stress levels can negatively impact our productivity and quality of life.

If you’re looking for a job that both pays well and won’t have you sweated, you’re in luck. Getting a well-paying job is a surefire way to boost your bank account. Picking a profession that keeps your stress levels low makes it even better.

Here are 12 jobs that pay at least $60,000 a year. They have low stress levels based on the Department of Labor’s Occupational Information Network official ratings and stress tolerance scores.

Median annual salary: $106,950

Stress tolerance score: 70

Electrical engineers develop, test, and design electrical equipment, including power generation and electrical communications systems. Installing the equipment requires a lot of hands-on work, but it is a rewarding position with a clear set of goals for each project. These engineers test things as they go, so safety is always a top priority.

Median annual salary: $103,800

Stress tolerance score: 70



This role requires specialists to analyze and manage health data related to nursing and patients. Health informatics specialists also ensure the accuracy and security of medical records. While there’s quite an extensive knowledge base for beginners, the job includes digging into the data and ensuring records are pristine and up to date.

Median annual salary: $104,100

Stress tolerance score: 70

These engineers test and develop materials for various applications, from aerospace components to medical devices. Given the rapid development of new compounds and processes, you’ll constantly interact with the latest technology in material science. Just be ready to get your hands dirty.

Median annual salary: $87,290

Stress tolerance score: 70


Depending on the area of expertise, transportation inspectors evaluate railroads, trains, aircraft, and vehicles to ensure the proper safety standards and regulations have been met. If you have an inquisitive mind and love reviewing the details of transit vehicles, this position is for you. You’ll have the chance to break out your magnifying glass to ensure everything is compliant.

Median annual salary: $95,890

Stress tolerance score: 70 


Water engineers oversee the design of water treatment and wastewater systems. They ensure that locals have access to clean drinking water and that the proper steps have been taken to minimize environmental pollution.

Median annual salary: $104,920

Stress tolerance score: 66

Document management specialists manage their company’s digital documentation. They ensure the business has a way to organize and handle digital documents and that everything is up-to-date. This entails developing a comprehensive plan for managing the document library and developing a schedule to keep everything refreshed.

Median annual salary: $99,580

Stress tolerance score: 69

It’s the responsibility of personal financial advisors to help individuals manage their finances, including their investments and retirement accounts. They delve deep into optimal long-term wealth management and growth strategies. As a personal financial advisor, you can expect a lot of spreadsheets and financial data to guide you as you model the ideal financial outcomes for your clients.

Median annual salary: $101,510

Stress tolerance score: 68

Database administrators are in charge of organizing a company’s database to ensure efficiency, accessibility, and security. Software skills and problem-solving are needed, and it's the job of a database administrator to figure out the best ways to keep a database functioning at a high level.

Median annual salary: $100,090

Stress tolerance score: 66


This job involves designing and supervising the steps it takes to solve environmental issues such as waste management and pollution control. You’ll be getting your hands dirty on-site as you determine the extent of the pollution and waste and what can be done from an engineering standpoint to mitigate the damage.

Median annual salary: $120,000

Stress tolerance score: 57

As an actuary, you’ll be focused on assessing a company’s financial risks via detailed statistics and mathematics. This involves crunching the numbers to better understand the risk tolerance so you can advise on new insurance contracts and financial decisions.

Median annual salary: $72,890

Stress tolerance score: 55

Historians dig through troves of documents like microfilm, newspaper clippings, manuscripts, films, diaries, letters, and official government documentation to conduct historical research. Their goal is to record, analyze, and interpret the findings and become a historical authority on a specific subject.

Median annual salary: $78,980

Stress tolerance score: 53

These ecologists analyze and assess the environmental impact of industrial systems and processes. This includes sustainability evaluations to identify potential environmental risks. Additionally, they conduct environmental audits and create lifecycle assessments to determine the ideal roadmap for a company and its industrial output.

According to Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace, almost 50% of workers in the U.S. reported their work as a source of their everyday stress. Taking the step to finding a low-stress job with solid compensation is a great way to eliminate some of it.

Instead of feeling frustrated at work, you’ll feel more fulfilled and inclined to put in your best effort. By doing a little research and adequately preparing ahead of interviews, you can put your best self out to potential employers and be well on your way to relaxation.