5 Best Low-Stress, High-Paying Jobs With Six-Figure Salaries In 2024

 ForbesLeadershipCareers presents a refreshing perspective on achieving high-paying careers without sacrificing mental well-being. In a time where job stress is reaching unprecedented levels, especially amidst a backdrop of collective trauma, the quest for lucrative yet low-stress professions has never been more relevant.

5 Best Low-Stress, High-Paying Jobs With Six-Figure Salaries In 2024 

The data speaks volumes: December saw a peak in Google searches related to work stress, and a staggering 62% of the American workforce reports high stress levels, extreme fatigue, and a sense of losing control. This burden weighs particularly heavy on the younger generation, as noted by Bryce Colburn, lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint.

However, amidst this gloomy backdrop, there's a glimmer of hope. Recognizing the pressing need for balance between financial security and mental well-being, USA Today Blueprint has meticulously curated a list of high-paying jobs with low stress tolerance scores, offering a path to financial prosperity without sacrificing peace of mind.

Here are the top five picks for 2024:

1. Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists: Experts in data collection and analysis, tackling issues in urban planning, homeland security, and natural resource management. Stress tolerance score: 52. Median wages: $107,970.

2. Environmental Economists: Researching and advocating for environmental causes within economic policies. Stress tolerance score: 52. Median wages: $113,940.

3. Mathematicians: Problem solvers across various fields, from science to business, employing mathematical methods to address practical challenges. Stress tolerance score: 56. Median wages: $112,110.

4. Water Resource Specialists: Implementing strategies to address water resource issues, focusing on conservation, quality, and regulatory compliance. Stress tolerance score: 59. Median wages: $144,440.

5. Solar Energy Systems Engineers: Designing solar energy plans for diverse applications, from residential to commercial settings. Stress tolerance score: 61. Median wages: $104,600 (requiring only a four-year degree).

Colburn emphasizes that these professions offer lucrative career paths while maintaining a low-stress environment.

 While many require advanced degrees, there are also opportunities in green career fields, like water resource specialists and solar energy systems engineers, for those seeking a balance between income and stress levels.

In contrast, O*NET analysis reveals that high-paying occupations in healthcare and legal services often come with heightened stress levels and lower average salaries compared to those in science, technology, and mathematics. For those without advanced degrees, there are still options available, ranging from couriers and messengers to street vendors and farm workers, with salaries ranging from the low $30,000s to the mid-$40,000s annually.

Ultimately, the pursuit of financial success need not be synonymous with sacrificing mental health. With strategic career choices, individuals can find fulfillment and prosperity without compromising their well-being.