Burnt out at work? 10 low-stress US jobs for 2026 that pay $60,000-plus

Low-stress, high-paying jobs

Stress has a way of shrinking your life to a to-do list. You start measuring weeks in meetings survived, inboxes cleared, deadlines dodged — and by Friday you are not merely “tired”; you are chemically rinsed. In the United States, this is not a private complaint dressed up as poor coping, it is a mainstream condition. The American Psychological Association’s Stress in America 2024 report lists work among people’s most commonly reported (65%) significant sources of stress. A year later, the APA’s Work in America 2025 survey adds a colder layer: Job insecurity is significantly impacting 54% of US workers’ stress levels. This means the pressure is not only the workload, but the sense that the floor can tilt without warning.Even the federal safety apparatus treats this as more than a mood. OSHA — the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the US workplace safety regulator under the Department of Labor — frames stress as a workplace hazard because it can raise risks of errors, injuries and longer-term health problems. In its workplace-stress overview, OSHA points to survey findings (2019–2021) in which about 65% of workers described work as a significant source of stress , 83% reported work-related stress and 54% said it spills into home life. That is why any list promising “low stress” and “high pay” should make you suspicious and curious. Resume Genius, a resume-builder and career site, built its 2026 ranking in two steps. It first used O*NET, the US Department of Labor’s occupational database, to screen jobs for stress exposure and work-context pressure points. It then applied BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) filters for median pay and projected growth, keeping only roles with positive growth and median wages above $60,000. Here are the 10 American jobs that make their cut in the Resume Genus list, the ones that claim a calmer workday without a smaller paycheque.

Astronomer

Astronomers study planets, stars and galaxies using telescopes and data models, typically hired by universities, observatories, national labs, and government space and science agencies.Why it is considered low stress Resume Genius ranks this as low stress because the work is paced by research calendars, not corporate panic. Deadlines exist — grants, papers, observing time — but the day is rarely hijacked by clients, customers, or constant escalation. The pressure is real, but it tends to be deep and slow, not loud and daily.Reality check The calm cracks when funding does. Grant seasons compress months of uncertainty into a few weeks, telescope time is fiercely competitive, and early-career astronomers often juggle contracts while publishing under pressure. The work stays quiet; the career math sometimes doesn’t.How to become an astronomer Most astronomers start in physics or astronomy and stay on for the long haul. A PhD is less a credential than a rite of passage, followed by years of postdoctoral research. Those who last combine theory with code — and patience with persistence.

Actuary

Actuaries quantify risk and price uncertainty through statistical models, hired by insurance firms, pension funds, consulting companies, healthcare finance teams, and financial regulators.Why it is considered low stressResume Genius calls this low stress because the pressure is predictable: reporting cycles, audits, valuations. You are rarely operating in public view, rarely forced into instant decisions, and rarely punished for not performing theatre. The job is a long conversation with numbers — not a daily argument with people.Reality check The numbers are calm, but the exams are not. Stress tends to spike early while clearing professional papers, and later when markets misbehave and assumptions are questioned by regulators and boards.How to become an actuary Most begin with a quantitative bachelor’s degree, then start clearing professional actuarial exams, often alongside full-time work. Entry roles are usually actuarial analyst positions, with employers providing study support, exam fees, and structured progression.

Computer Systems Analyst

Systems analysts evaluate organisational IT needs and design solutions, employed by large corporations, tech consultancies, healthcare systems, banks, and government departments.Why it is considered low stress Resume Genius places this role on the calmer side because the work is diagnostic and planned, not constant emergency response. You are rewarded for thinking, mapping and testing, not for being perpetually available. When stress arrives, it tends to be project-based, not permanent background noise.Reality check The job is calm until systems move. Migrations, go-live phases, or a security incident can turn a planning role into firefighting, especially when timelines are political rather than practical.How to become a computer systems analystMany enter with a bachelor’s in computer science, information systems, or a closely related field. Others transition from engineering or business with strong technical exposure. Practical fluency in databases, enterprise tools, cloud platforms, and business process mapping is what makes candidates employable.

Cartographer and Photogrammetrist

They turn satellite and aerial imagery into maps and spatial insights, hired by urban planning bodies, infrastructure firms, defence agencies, logistics operators, environmental consultancies, and governments.Why it is considered low stress Resume Genius marks it low stress because the work is data-led and deliverable-led, with fewer emotional negotiations and fewer last-minute urgent calls driven by poor planning. Precision matters, but pressure usually stays contained inside the task.Reality check Deadlines tighten when maps are suddenly needed now — during floods, wildfires, infrastructure rollouts, or security briefings — when accuracy must meet speed.How to become a cartographer or photogrammetrist A bachelor’s in geography, geospatial science, surveying, GIS, or remote sensing is common. Employers look for hands-on strength with GIS platforms, spatial databases, and imagery processing. Advanced roles, especially in defence or remote sensing, may prefer a master’s degree or specialised certifications.

Historian

Historians research and interpret the past through primary sources, employed by universities, museums, archives, think tanks, heritage bodies, and public-sector research units.Why it is considered low stress Resume Genius lists this as low stress because the work is slow craft: reading, interpreting and writing. Deadlines are tied to outputs — papers, reports, exhibitions — rather than constant reactive decision-making. The day is shaped more by your archive than by someone else’s inbox.Reality check Stress creeps in quietly: when funding is thin, when publication expectations rise, or when scholarship becomes public controversy rather than private work.How to become a historianMost start with a bachelor’s in history, then specialise through a master’s or PhD depending on the track. Careers are built through research depth, archival experience, and sustained writing. A portfolio of published work and project experience often matters as much as credentials.

Forensic Science Technician

Forensic science technicians analyse physical evidence for investigations, typically hired by crime labs, medical examiner offices, forensic units, and law-enforcement agencies.Why it is considered low stress Resume Genius places this role in the low stress category because the workflow is protocol-driven. Standards, documentation and repeatable lab processes limit improvisation, keeping decision-making structured rather than reactive.Reality check The work is orderly; the material is not. Caseload surges, court testimony, and repeated exposure to violent evidence can weigh heavily, even when the lab routine is controlled.How to become a forensic science technician A bachelor’s in forensic science, chemistry, biology, or another lab science is the standard entry route. Candidates benefit from lab internships and coursework in evidence handling and analytical methods. Many employers also require background checks and role-specific training, and some prefer specialised certifications.

Rail Car Repairer

Rail car repairers inspect and repair rail vehicles, employed by freight rail companies, passenger transit systems, maintenance depots, and rail engineering contractors.Why it is considered low stress Resume Genius flags this as low stress because expectations are clear and outcomes are visible. You fix what is broken, you test what you fixed, you document what you did. The stress is physical and safety-focused, not the modern kind that comes from ambiguity, politics, and constant messaging.Reality check Pressure rises when trains must move now. Breakdowns, extreme weather, and tight service windows compress repair timelines and raise safety stakes.How to become a rail car repairer Most enter with a high school diploma and learn through employer training or apprenticeships. Mechanical aptitude matters more than academic pedigree. Experience in welding, fabrication, brakes, hydraulics, and industrial safety can accelerate hiring and progression.

Taper Drywall Finisher

Tapers finish interior walls by sealing joints and smoothing surfaces, hired across residential and commercial construction, renovation firms, interior contractors, and large building projects.Why it is considered low stress Resume Genius includes this role because the work is bounded: a task with edges, a finish line you can see. Less bureaucracy, less performative urgency, fewer meetings about meetings. The pressure is about craftsmanship and pace, not constant cognitive clutter.Reality check Stress climbs when schedules tighten near handover, when rework appears late, or when multiple trades are competing for the same space and time.How to become a taper drywall finisher Most learn on-site through apprenticeships or under experienced finishers. Formal degrees are not required. Advancement depends on speed, consistency, finish quality, and reliability on deadline-heavy job sites. Licensing and union pathways vary by state and contractor.

Archivist

Archivists preserve, organise and manage collections and records, employed by libraries, universities, museums, government archives, research institutions, and corporate records teams.Why it is considered low stress Resume Genius tags this as low stress because the work is methodical: cataloguing, preservation, access — a job designed for continuity, not constant crisis. Deadlines exist, but the day is rarely hijacked by volatility.Reality check Pressure shows up when collections are digitised at scale, when budgets shrink, or when sensitive records attract legal scrutiny and strict timelines.How to become an archivist Many professional roles expect a master’s in library science, archival studies, or information management. Digital archiving skills, metadata, and records systems knowledge increasingly determine hiring. Internships and assistant roles in libraries and archives are common ways in.

Pump Operator

Pump operators run and monitor equipment that moves liquids through systems, hired by utilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, manufacturing facilities, and industrial processing sites.Why it is considered low stress Resume Genius places this role here because it runs on standard operating procedures: monitor, adjust, log, maintain. It is not people-intensive, not meeting-heavy, and not built around persuasion. The responsibility is serious, but the day is predictable, which is the core of low stress in practice.Reality check Routine holds until it doesn’t. Equipment failures, storm surges, contamination risks, or alarms can turn a monitoring job into a rapid-response one, with safety and continuity on the line.How to become a pump operator Entry is typically through a high school diploma and employer-led training. Some employers prefer technical certificates in plant operations or process technology, and certain facilities require licensing depending on state rules. Mechanical aptitude, safety discipline, and comfort with monitoring systems matter most.