Top-9 Highest Paying Jobs with the Highest Risk to Life
A high salary does not always mean a safe life. Research by Resume Now showed that some of the most profitable professions in the US are also the most dangerous — people work in hazardous conditions every day and pay the highest price for it. This is reported by UNIAN referencing data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Analysts compared the rate of fatal workplace injuries with the annual median salary for 2024 and identified which professions yield the highest incomes but are associated with high risk. Most of these specialties do not require a university degree — that is why they are often chosen by Generation Z, for whom formal education is no longer a guarantee of career success.
According to career expert Keith Spencer, those who aspire to such jobs must be prepared to make critical decisions under stress and continuously improve their skills, as even the slightest mistake can cost a life.
Top-9 Most Dangerous but Highly Paid Professions in the US
- Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers — 171 fatalities, $87,980 per year.
- Pilots and air traffic controllers — 62 fatalities, $198,100.
- Mechanic and repair crew leaders — 47 fatalities, $75,820.
- Power line installers — 27 fatalities, $92,560.
- Construction managers — 21 fatalities, $106,980.
- Transportation and logistics managers — 9 fatalities, $102,010.
- Mining and geological engineers — 8 fatalities, $101,020.
- Captains and mates of ships — 5 fatalities, $85,540.
- Production managers — 5 fatalities, $121,440.
Resume Now specialists emphasize: these professions can be financially attractive, but they require strict adherence to safety protocols, regular training, and psychological resilience. It is the balance between risk and experience that determines whether such a job becomes a stable source of income or a dangerous trial.
Previously, we wrote about the highest paying professions for girls.
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