Low-Stress Jobs That Pay More Than $70,000 a Year
Stress means different things to different people. A job that feels easy to one person might overwhelm someone else. Still, some roles are widely seen as less stressful by people who’ve worked in them for years. They often come with steady hours, fewer urgent demands, and more control over how the day goes. That doesn’t mean they’re effortless—but the pressure tends to stay low.
Since no job is completely stress-free, this list focuses on careers that many find more manageable, while still paying well. If you’re after less chaos and more balance, these jobs are worth a look.
Orthodontist
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With regular hours and predictable procedures, orthodontists avoid the high-stakes stress common in other medical roles. Procedures are routine, hours are consistent, and critical decision-making rarely enters the room. The structured nature of their work contributes to a low-pressure environment, while salaries often top $230,000 annually.
Data Scientist
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There’s pressure in getting the models right, sure—but no one’s breathing down your neck every hour. Data scientists often work independently in code-heavy environments while building algorithms that influence decisions without having to make them in real-time. Most roles comfortably cross into six-figure territory.
Radiation Therapist
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With a salary averaging $85,000 and a predictable workflow, radiation therapy is a solid option for those seeking meaningful work without constant intensity. Though part of healthcare, this role is a world away from emergency rooms. Radiation therapists follow strict treatment plans and rarely deviate from routine. Patients arrive on schedule, procedures follow protocol, and the equipment handles the intensity so humans don’t have to.
Mathematician
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Mathematicians apply theoretical concepts to solve problems in controlled environments and prefer pencil, paper, and time. The role relies heavily on focused thinking. Interaction is limited, urgency is rare, and salaries tend to land above $100,000.
Technical Writer
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Technical writers create reference materials, such as user guides or standard operating procedures, often for software, hardware, or scientific tools. Depending on the industry, this job can bring in salaries near or above $80K. Their job is to explain things clearly, and that’s exactly how the workday tends to go.
Chemical Engineer
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Chemical engineers typically work in research and design roles that follow structured processes and safety protocols. Their thoughtful, methodical work can earn over $100,000 without creating daily chaos. Since they spend most of their time in labs or offices, they can focus without the noise of open-office culture or customer demands.
Audiologist
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Appointments are planned, and procedures are calm. Audiologists meet with patients in peaceful clinical environments to assess hearing and balance issues. It’s a calm job with a solid income, often edging close to $90K. Plus, it doesn’t involve the chaos that can come with other medical fields.
Software Engineer
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Most software engineers can work remotely, set their own hours, and dig into tasks without much micromanagement. Between the flexibility and the frequent six-figure salary, it’s one of tech’s more balanced career paths.
Economist
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Economists analyze market data and trends, typically working in government or corporate environments. Their research-oriented responsibilities mean they rarely deal with urgent issues or client-facing pressure. Pay regularly crosses the $100,000 mark, and surprises are few.
Business Intelligence Analyst
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BI analysts focus on translating business operations into measurable trends through dashboards and reports. With defined KPIs and standard toolsets like Tableau or Power BI, the role stays predictable and pays around $90,000. They work more directly with sales, finance, or operations teams than data scientists, and often respond to stakeholder requests for insight.
Biomedical Engineer
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Biomedical engineers work behind the scenes of healthcare by designing devices and technologies without handling patients. They operate in R&D labs or corporate teams and solve design problems in a structured, experiment-driven cycle. Compensation is solid—around $86K on average—and the work is rarely rushed.
Web Developer
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If you enjoy coding and don’t crave constant meetings, web development can hit the sweet spot. With average earnings just under $93,000 and minimal workplace load, the job seems creative and logical. Many developers work independently or freelance, which adds control over pace and hours.
Research Scientist
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Research scientists are hands-on investigators who design experiments and analyze raw data in lab or field settings. They investigate everything from materials to medicine, often on project timelines that support slow, deliberate work. Many roles pay near or above $95K, and day-to-day chaos is replaced with protocols and quiet.
Actuary
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With a salary over $120,000, the field is both intellectually challenging and structurally low-pressure. Actuaries analyze financial risk for insurance and finance firms by relying on statistical tools rather than fast decision-making. Most work is independent and deadline-flexible with minimal client interaction.
Materials Scientist
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Materials scientists split their time between labs and offices to study how substances behave. Their days are spent designing experiments and interpreting results—tasks that follow planned procedures and rarely involve unpredictability. The job appeals to those who enjoy detailed work without external pressure.
Remote Sensing Scientist
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Interpreting satellite data doesn’t come with a ringing phone or a full inbox. These specialists support planning, defense, or environmental efforts by translating raw imagery into usable insight. It’s niche, analytical work with salaries near $104K, and it takes place mostly in research centers or behind screens.
Professor (With Years of Experience)
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Structured semesters and repeatable course content give this role a predictable cadence. It can top $100K depending on tenure and institution. Most professors have control over how they teach and research, with little day-to-day fluctuation. And the job tends to favor reflection over reaction.
Environmental Economist
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This role is about long-range thinking, not reactive decisions, even though they’re often topping the $100K mark. Environmental economists assess policy and sustainability efforts, usually in academia or public agencies. The work comes with offices, regular hours, and a slow-burn approach to solving large-scale problems.
Physicist
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Physicists conduct research to understand physical laws while often working alone or in small, focused teams. Their lab and computational work require concentration, not constant collaboration. With salaries over $150,000, the field offers intellectual rigor without daily workplace noise or deadline drama.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
These specialists administer and monitor routine diagnostic procedures involving radioactive substances. The job is methodical and schedule-based and pays around $85,000. There are minimal on-call responsibilities, and the structured nature of the work supports lower stress levels.
Railroad Conductor
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Schedules are tightly regulated, and tasks follow well-defined protocols, whether moving passengers or coordinating cargo. In many freight-heavy regions, base pay climbs close to $70,000, with additional earnings tied to seniority and route complexity.
Systems Analyst
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Systems analysts assess and improve IT infrastructure. Their work often involves independent troubleshooting and planned upgrades, which reduces workplace volatility. Many are embedded within organizations and work regular hours while coordinating with internal teams. The role balances tech problem-solving with stability at nearly $80,000 per year.
Compensation Analyst
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Compensation analysts help HR teams define pay structures using market benchmarks. Most earn well above $80K, especially in larger companies with complex pay systems. Their role is solitary, research-heavy, with few surprises and little interpersonal conflict.
Research Manager
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With structure baked into the job and pay often near $70K, this job is more about planning than discovery. Research managers oversee timelines, budgets, and staff on larger scientific studies. They don’t run experiments themselves but make sure others can. This job appeals to those who like science but love a calm spreadsheet.
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
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Monitoring and adjusting nuclear reactor systems may sound intense, but operators work in highly regulated environments with detailed procedures. The paycheck starts around $74,000. Emergencies are rare, and most tasks involve routine observation and logging. The structured nature of the work helps keep stress low.
Web Content Strategist
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Content strategists work closely with writers, designers, and SEO experts. Their work involves project planning and user experience research rather than crisis management. It’s a calm digital role for those who enjoy structure and creativity.
Pilot Scheduler
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Factors like location and airline can greatly impact the salaries of pilot schedulers, but they often exceed $70,000. Their job is to coordinate flight crews and ensure compliance with federal regulations. They work with established software systems and predictable rosters, often in quiet office settings.
Forensic Accountant
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If you’d rather dissect spreadsheets than deal with people, this role checks out. Forensic accountants comb through financial records to spot fraud or error. With plenty of structure and advance notice for deadlines, they earn north of $80,000 without fielding daily drama.
Patent Agent
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Translating technical ideas into legally sound patent applications takes brains and patience, not a tolerance for workplace chaos. Patent agents often work one-on-one with inventors or engineers in private, analytical settings. It’s a well-compensated job for people who prefer working with concepts over people.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst
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If you’ve ever wanted to make maps for a living without fielding client complaints, this one fits. GIS analysts make over $70K, and use mapping software to interpret spatial data, often for government or planning projects.
Instructional Designer
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Creating learning materials may sound dry, but it’s structured, creative work with lots of autonomy. Designers build courses and training modules from outlines and templates, usually without last-minute chaos. Many roles pay between $70K and $90K, and hybrid or remote setups are increasingly common.