30 careers ranked

Jobs With the Best Work-Life Balance (2026)

This ranks jobs on what workers report about their own hours and conditions: how many work long weeks, how regular the schedule is and how much pressure the day carries. The highest-scoring occupation is Dentist, at $170,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) with +5.7% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 30 occupations with the exact O*NET and BLS figures behind each one.

Careers ranked: 30From 1,731 in the bank
Median pay on the list: $79,315BLS OEWS, May 2025
No degree needed: 7 of 30BLS EP, 2025–2035
Openings a year: 992,500Combined, BLS EP

Method

How this list was built

O*NET asks the people who do each job how long their typical work week is and whether their schedule is regular or irregular. The share who usually work more than 40 hours a week is the biggest part of the score, at 40%. The share on a regular, established schedule counts for 15%.
Three O*NET Work Context ratings (1–5) make up the rest: less time pressure counts for 20%, more freedom to make decisions for 15%, and fewer conflict situations for 10%. Occupations BLS projects to shrink are removed, as are any where O*NET does not report the hours and schedule items.
Two filters run before any scoring. The list is limited to the roughly 270 flagship occupations that carry a full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile and at least 50,000 US workers, so every row is a job that exists in volume and has a full profile page here. Each one must also report a BLS median at or above $50,980, the median for all US occupations (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That second rule is an editorial choice, not a data one: a work-environment score on its own fills the top of any list with the lowest-paid work in the economy, which is not an honest answer to anyone asking what to do next.

The hours figures are averages across everyone in the occupation. A software developer at a startup in crunch and one at a government agency report the same job title. Commuting, remote work, paid leave and on-call rotas, which shape balance as much as hours, are not in the O*NET survey. Read the full methodology.

The list

The 30 jobs with the best work-life balance

1
1. Dentist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
80/100 environment fit
Median pay
$170,950median a year
Growth
+5.7%
Openings / yr
4,200
Education
Doctorate
0%
40+ hrs
85%
Regular hours
3.4
Time pressure
5.0
Freedom
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums.
2
2. Software Developer
Computer and Mathematical
80/100 environment fit
Median pay
$135,980median a year
Growth
+10.2%
Openings / yr
95,300
Education
Bachelor's
8%
40+ hrs
98%
Regular hours
3.5
Time pressure
4.3
Freedom
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs.
3
3. Dental Hygienist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
78/100 environment fit
Median pay
$98,100median a year
Growth
+8.0%
Openings / yr
15,000
Education
Associate's
4%
40+ hrs
100%
Regular hours
3.7
Time pressure
4.0
Freedom
Administer oral hygiene care to patients.
4
4. Solar Sales Representative and Assessor
Sales and Related
78/100 environment fit
Median pay
$104,920median a year
Growth
+1.2%
Openings / yr
23,600
Education
Bachelor's
0%
40+ hrs
73%
Regular hours
3.2
Time pressure
4.0
Freedom
Contact new or existing customers to determine their solar equipment needs, suggest systems or equipment, or estimate costs.
5
5. Cytotechnologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
77/100 environment fit
Median pay
$62,930median a year
Growth
+2.7%
Openings / yr
20,800
Education
Bachelor's
9%
40+ hrs
96%
Regular hours
3.8
Time pressure
4.4
Freedom
Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.
6
6. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
77/100 environment fit
Median pay
$96,590median a year
Growth
+13.9%
Openings / yr
6,000
Education
Associate's
4%
40+ hrs
100%
Regular hours
3.6
Time pressure
4.1
Freedom
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.
7
7. Librarian
Educational Instruction and Library
77/100 environment fit
Median pay
$68,270median a year
Growth
+2.6%
Openings / yr
12,600
Education
Master's
7%
40+ hrs
93%
Regular hours
3.3
Time pressure
4.1
Freedom
Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing.
8
8. Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
75/100 environment fit
Median pay
$100,330median a year
Growth
+14.8%
Openings / yr
10,000
Education
Master's
18%
40+ hrs
74%
Regular hours
3.0
Time pressure
4.7
Freedom
Provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities.
9
9. Eligibility Interviewer, Government Programs
Office and Administrative Support
74/100 environment fit
Median pay
$54,210median a year
Growth
+1.6%
Openings / yr
12,700
Education
High school
3%
40+ hrs
100%
Regular hours
4.3
Time pressure
3.6
Freedom
Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.
10
10. Wholesale and Retail Buyer, Except Farm Products
Business and Financial Operations
73/100 environment fit
Median pay
$77,710median a year
Growth
+6.0%
Openings / yr
47,200
Education
Bachelor's
21%
40+ hrs
93%
Regular hours
3.0
Time pressure
4.2
Freedom
Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods.
11
11. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
72/100 environment fit
Median pay
$62,930median a year
Growth
+2.7%
Openings / yr
20,800
Education
Bachelor's
14%
40+ hrs
97%
Regular hours
4.0
Time pressure
4.0
Freedom
Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
12
12. Physical Therapist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
71/100 environment fit
Median pay
$102,760median a year
Growth
+11.9%
Openings / yr
13,400
Education
Doctorate
11%
40+ hrs
88%
Regular hours
4.2
Time pressure
4.8
Freedom
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
13
13. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
70/100 environment fit
Median pay
$61,010median a year
Growth
+10.9%
Openings / yr
40,600
Education
Certificate
17%
40+ hrs
89%
Regular hours
4.4
Time pressure
4.2
Freedom
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
14
14. Medical Records Specialist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
70/100 environment fit
Median pay
$51,140median a year
Growth
+7.8%
Openings / yr
14,000
Education
Certificate
19%
40+ hrs
100%
Regular hours
4.1
Time pressure
3.8
Freedom
Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system.
15
15. Histology Technician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
69/100 environment fit
Median pay
$62,930median a year
Growth
+2.7%
Openings / yr
20,800
Education
Bachelor's
8%
40+ hrs
92%
Regular hours
4.5
Time pressure
3.6
Freedom
Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists.
16
16. Government Property Inspector and Investigator
Business and Financial Operations
68/100 environment fit
Median pay
$80,730median a year
Growth
+3.8%
Openings / yr
32,700
Education
Bachelor's
10%
40+ hrs
87%
Regular hours
3.9
Time pressure
4.0
Freedom
Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.
17
17. Cytogenetic Technologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
67/100 environment fit
Median pay
$62,930median a year
Growth
+2.7%
Openings / yr
20,800
Education
Bachelor's
20%
40+ hrs
90%
Regular hours
4.3
Time pressure
4.0
Freedom
Analyze chromosomes or chromosome segments found in biological specimens, such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, solid tumors, and blood to aid in the study, diagnosis, classification, or treatment of inherited or acqu…
18
18. Environmental Compliance Inspector
Business and Financial Operations
67/100 environment fit
Median pay
$80,730median a year
Growth
+3.8%
Openings / yr
32,700
Education
Bachelor's
25%
40+ hrs
95%
Regular hours
3.6
Time pressure
4.0
Freedom
Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.
19
19. Respiratory Therapist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
67/100 environment fit
Median pay
$82,280median a year
Growth
+8.5%
Openings / yr
8,600
Education
Associate's
0%
40+ hrs
0%
Regular hours
3.4
Time pressure
4.3
Freedom
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders.
20
20. Speech-Language Pathologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
67/100 environment fit
Median pay
$97,870median a year
Growth
+16.6%
Openings / yr
12,500
Education
Master's
20%
40+ hrs
91%
Regular hours
4.6
Time pressure
4.6
Freedom
Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders.
21
21. Acute Care Nurse
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
66/100 environment fit
Median pay
$97,550median a year
Growth
+5.6%
Openings / yr
180,800
Education
Bachelor's
5%
40+ hrs
76%
Regular hours
4.5
Time pressure
4.0
Freedom
Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock.
22
22. Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant
Office and Administrative Support
66/100 environment fit
Median pay
$76,590median a year
Growth
0.0%
Openings / yr
43,300
Education
High school
27%
40+ hrs
93%
Regular hours
3.9
Time pressure
4.3
Freedom
Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing corresponden…
23
23. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
66/100 environment fit
Median pay
$62,930median a year
Growth
+2.7%
Openings / yr
20,800
Education
Bachelor's
20%
40+ hrs
90%
Regular hours
4.4
Time pressure
4.3
Freedom
Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
24
24. Aircraft Mechanic
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
65/100 environment fit
Median pay
$79,870median a year
Growth
+5.4%
Openings / yr
11,400
Education
Certificate
24%
40+ hrs
96%
Regular hours
4.2
Time pressure
4.0
Freedom
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
25
25. Business Intelligence Analyst
Computer and Mathematical
65/100 environment fit
Median pay
$120,230median a year
Growth
+34.6%
Openings / yr
24,800
Education
Bachelor's
33%
40+ hrs
91%
Regular hours
3.7
Time pressure
4.2
Freedom
Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports.
26
26. Dermatologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
65/100 environment fit
Median pay
$328,730median a year
Growth
+6.8%
Openings / yr
400
Education
Doctorate
41%
40+ hrs
100%
Regular hours
3.8
Time pressure
5.0
Freedom
Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails.
27
27. Human Resources Specialist
Business and Financial Operations
65/100 environment fit
Median pay
$75,940median a year
Growth
+6.4%
Openings / yr
73,700
Education
Bachelor's
28%
40+ hrs
99%
Regular hours
3.8
Time pressure
4.4
Freedom
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization.
28
28. Licensed Practical Nurse
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
65/100 environment fit
Median pay
$64,400median a year
Growth
+3.0%
Openings / yr
51,800
Education
Certificate
15%
40+ hrs
91%
Regular hours
4.4
Time pressure
3.8
Freedom
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions.
29
29. Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist
Business and Financial Operations
65/100 environment fit
Median pay
$78,760median a year
Growth
+7.0%
Openings / yr
82,000
Education
Bachelor's
32%
40+ hrs
79%
Regular hours
3.6
Time pressure
4.3
Freedom
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets.
30
30. Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator
Construction and Extraction
65/100 environment fit
Median pay
$59,850median a year
Growth
+4.6%
Openings / yr
39,200
Education
High school
0%
40+ hrs
23%
Regular hours
4.0
Time pressure
4.0
Freedom
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erec…

Questions

Work-life balance: FAQ

Which job has the best work-life balance?

On what workers report about their hours, schedules and pressure, the highest-scoring well-paid occupation in the bank is Dentist, at $170,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Each row on this page shows the share of workers who usually put in more than 40 hours a week, so you can compare the hours directly.

Do well-paid jobs always mean long hours?

No. Several of the highest-scoring jobs here pay well above the US median while most of their workers report a standard 40-hour week. Long weeks are concentrated in management, medicine and some trades, and the hours column makes that visible.

Where does the hours figure come from?

From the O*NET Work Context survey item "Duration of Typical Work Week", which asks incumbents whether they usually work less than 40 hours, 40 hours, or more than 40 hours. The percentage shown is the share answering more than 40.

How was this list built?

O*NET asks the people who do each job how long their typical work week is and whether their schedule is regular or irregular. The share who usually work more than 40 hours a week is the biggest part of the score, at 40%. The share on a regular, established schedule counts for 15%. Three O*NET Work Context ratings (1–5) make up the rest: less time pressure counts for 20%, more freedom to make decisions for 15%, and fewer conflict situations for 10%. Occupations BLS projects to shrink are removed, as are any where O*NET does not report the hours and schedule items. Two filters run before any scoring. The list is limited to the roughly 270 flagship occupations that carry a full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile and at least 50,000 US workers, so every row is a job that exists in volume and has a full profile page here. Each one must also report a BLS median at or above $50,980, the median for all US occupations (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That second rule is an editorial choice, not a data one: a work-environment score on its own fills the top of any list with the lowest-paid work in the economy, which is not an honest answer to anyone asking what to do next. Full method: /careers/methodology.

What do these careers pay?

The middle career on this list pays $79,315 a year, against $50,980 for all US occupations (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The range runs from $51,140 to $328,730.

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