17% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.
30 Low-Stress Jobs That Pay Well, Ranked by Median Wage (2026)
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist tops this list at $193,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +6.3% projected employment change over 2024–2034. Below are 30 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.
Occupations scoring low across O*NET’s time-pressure, conflict and consequence-of-error measures that also pay at least 25% above the US median wage.
- Careers on this list
- 30
- Median pay on the list
- $128,660
- Projected to grow
- 28 of 30
- Openings a year
- 649,300
From 923 in the bank
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Combined, BLS EP
How we built this list
- Included when O*NET work-context scores for time pressure, conflict situations and consequence of error all sit in the lower part of their range.
- Also required to pay at least 25% above the $50,980 US median wage.
- Occupations whose work-context signal is too sparse to judge are excluded rather than guessed at.
- Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
- The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.
The top 30 low-stress jobs that pay well
1. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $193,950
- Growth
- +6.3%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Master's
Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
2. Physicist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $172,250
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 1,700
- Education
- Doctorate
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
3. Clinical Research Coordinator
Management
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Growth
- +3.7%
- Openings / yr
- 8,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
4. Political Scientist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $142,080
- Growth
- -3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- Master's
Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
5. Regulatory Affairs Manager
Management
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Growth
- +4.5%
- Openings / yr
- 106,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
6. Wind Energy Development Manager
Management
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Growth
- +4.5%
- Openings / yr
- 106,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
7. Brownfield Redevelopment Specialist and Site Manager
Management
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Growth
- +4.5%
- Openings / yr
- 106,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
8. Computer and Information Research Scientist
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $140,300
- Growth
- +19.7%
- Openings / yr
- 3,200
- Education
- Master's
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
9. Data Warehousing Specialist
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $139,500
- Growth
- +8.7%
- Openings / yr
- 4,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $135,980
- Growth
- +15.8%
- Openings / yr
- 115,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs.
Architecture and Engineering
- Median pay
- $134,960
- Growth
- +6.1%
- Openings / yr
- 4,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft.
12. Training and Development Manager
Management
- Median pay
- $133,000
- Growth
- +5.8%
- Openings / yr
- 3,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
13. Electronics Engineer, Except Computer
Architecture and Engineering
- Median pay
- $130,220
- Growth
- +6.2%
- Openings / yr
- 5,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $130,000
- Growth
- +21.8%
- Openings / yr
- 2,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits.
15. Astronomer
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $128,820
- Growth
- +2.2%
- Openings / yr
- 100
- Education
- Doctorate
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
16. Law Teacher, Postsecondary
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $128,500
- Growth
- +2.2%
- Openings / yr
- 2,200
- Education
- Doctorate
Teach courses in law.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
17. Mathematician
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $126,710
- Growth
- -0.7%
- Openings / yr
- 100
- Education
- Master's
Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
18. Economist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $124,720
- Growth
- +1.2%
- Openings / yr
- 900
- Education
- Master's
Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
19. Environmental Economist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $124,720
- Growth
- +1.2%
- Openings / yr
- 900
- Education
- Master's
Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
20. Economics Teacher, Postsecondary
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $123,920
- Growth
- +2.1%
- Openings / yr
- 1,200
- Education
- Doctorate
Teach courses in economics.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
21. Microsystems Engineer
Architecture and Engineering
- Median pay
- $122,930
- Growth
- +2.1%
- Openings / yr
- 9,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Research, design, develop, or test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
22. Wind Energy Engineer
Architecture and Engineering
- Median pay
- $122,930
- Growth
- +2.1%
- Openings / yr
- 9,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Design underground or overhead wind farm collector systems and prepare and develop site specifications.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
23. Remote Sensing Scientist and Technologist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $122,570
- Growth
- +0.6%
- Openings / yr
- 2,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
Apply remote sensing principles and methods to analyze data and solve problems in areas such as natural resource management, urban planning, or homeland security.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $120,230
- Growth
- +33.5%
- Openings / yr
- 23,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports.
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $120,230
- Growth
- +33.5%
- Openings / yr
- 23,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.
26. Web Administrator
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $116,580
- Growth
- +8.2%
- Openings / yr
- 31,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Manage web environment design, deployment, development and maintenance activities.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
27. Geographic Information Systems Technologist and Technician
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $116,580
- Growth
- +8.2%
- Openings / yr
- 31,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Assist scientists or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or using geographic information systems (GIS) databases.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
28. Document Management Specialist
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $116,580
- Growth
- +8.2%
- Openings / yr
- 31,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Implement and administer enterprise-wide document management systems and related procedures that allow organizations to capture, store, retrieve, share, and destroy electronic records and documents.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
29. Art Director
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $114,850
- Growth
- +4.2%
- Openings / yr
- 12,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
30. Sociologist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $106,030
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings / yr
- 300
- Education
- Master's
Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Low-Stress Jobs That Pay Well: FAQ
What is the top career on the low-stress jobs that pay well list?
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist leads the list with a median wage of $193,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +6.3% over 2024–2034. Typical entry-level education is master's.
How was this list put together?
Occupations scoring low across O*NET’s time-pressure, conflict and consequence-of-error measures that also pay at least 25% above the US median wage. Included when O*NET work-context scores for time pressure, conflict situations and consequence of error all sit in the lower part of their range. Also required to pay at least 25% above the $50,980 US median wage. Occupations whose work-context signal is too sparse to judge are excluded rather than guessed at. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET 30.3 Database.
How much do low-stress jobs that pay well pay?
Across the 30 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $128,660 a year, from $106,030 at the bottom to $193,950 at the top (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.
How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?
None. BLS lists an associate's degree or higher as the typical entry requirement for all 30 careers on this list.