Low-Stress High-Pay Jobs to Pursue (With Responsibilities)

If you want a career that allows you to perform your work comfortably while receiving substantial compensation, you can consider following a low-stress and high-paying career path. These roles can provide a comfortable environment in which to apply your knowledge, skills, and expertise. Learning about low-stress high-pay jobs can allow you to pursue careers that offer flexible work hours, strong financial security, and the opportunity to improve your work-life balance. In this article, we discuss what makes a low-stress high-pay job and list the responsibilities and average salaries of some excellent roles to consider.

What makes low-stress high-pay jobs?

Low-stress high-pay jobs typically allow individuals to complete work tasks without being overwhelmed by their responsibilities. These jobs can help employees maintain regular lives outside of work while providing the satisfaction of a fulfilling career. They can also provide enough compensation to help ensure financial security and make you feel appreciated for the quality and amount of work you complete.

Related: 11 of the Most Fun Jobs in the World

Common low-stress high-compensation jobs

Here are some jobs that offer high compensation and may create minimal stress in your professional life:

1. Art director

National average salary: $73,142 per year

Primary duties: Art directors supervise the visual and stylistic elements of a product's package, newspaper, or magazine. They may review various concepts and select the most effective artistic designs to represent them. Art directors select art and design elements or photographs to use for different artistic projects. They can also review and approve photographs, artworks, design pieces, and other graphics. Art directors may develop timelines and create budgets for upcoming projects.

Related: 7 Arts Degree Jobs and Their Salaries and Skills

2. Environmental scientist

National average salary: $55,710 per year

Primary duties: Environmental scientists apply their advanced scientific expertise and knowledge to protect public health and the welfare of the environment. Some of their duties include choosing different methods for collecting data for surveys, research projects, and economic investigations. Environmental scientists also collect and analyze food, soil, water, and air samples to prevent and fix environmental issues.

3. Purchasing manager

National average salary: $74,806 per year

Primary duties: A purchasing manager creates strategies for sourcing and buying goods, services, or equipment for an organization. They're in charge of negotiating prices with vendors and suppliers, creating a delivery schedule, and maintaining the inventory to ensure relevant products are available. Purchasing managers also interact with the vendors and suppliers to track the delivery process and ensure that the goods meet the quality standards and specifications.

Related: 9 Supply Chain Management Degree Jobs (With Salaries)

4. Audiologist

National average salary: $57,867 per year

Primary duties: Audiologists diagnose, treat, and evaluate a patient's hearing impairments. They use different instruments and tools to discover the severity of a patient's balance or hearing issues. Audiologists administer treatment plans to manage or overcome the disorder and fit them with hearing aids or similar devices. They provide advice to patients on how to live with particular hearing disorders.

5. Biomedical engineer

National average salary: $73,857 per year

Primary duties: Biomedical engineers combine engineering and scientific knowledge to build and design artificial organs such as prosthetic limbs to help people with certain injuries and illnesses function more effectively. They offer technical support and updates on existing biomedical equipment and train other physicians on how to use new equipment properly. Biomedical engineers typically work with a manufacturing team to create and run tests on equipment prototypes.

6. Information systems manager

National average salary: $95,651 per year

Primary duties: Information systems managers supervise all organizational activities related to computer programs. Typically, they're in charge of reviewing the present needs and making recommendations on effective upgrades. They manage the installation and maintenance of hardware and software systems. Information systems managers also analyze the benefits and costs of potential programs and negotiate pricing plans with vendors.

7. Nuclear engineer

National average salary: $93,757 per year

Primary duties: Nuclear engineers oversee the functions and operations of nuclear facilities to determine their design, operation, and construction methods necessary to improve the organization. They also identify common industrial and medical uses for different radioactive materials. These professionals develop nuclear equipment such as reactor cores, radiation shields, and associated instrumentation. They oversee the maintenance of plants and ensure they conform to safety policies and standards.

8. Mathematician

National average salary: $35,082 per year

Primary duties: A mathematician can use mathematical theories and techniques to solve an organization's challenges. Some of their duties include analyzing data to identify the business's issues and developing models to solve these problems. Mathematicians also develop new theories to provide innovative solutions to engineering, science, and business issues.

9. Research scientist

National average salary: $71,774 per year

Primary duties: Research scientists design, coordinate, and implement experiments to analyze data sets and study the results. They also develop research frameworks to help improve efficiency and productivity levels. They identify understudied topics, conduct extensive research, and publish their findings on these topics in academic journals. Research scientists also present their findings to their superiors and stakeholders.

10. Operations manager

National average salary: $68,367 per year

Primary duties: An operations manager supervises an organization's machinery and ensures technical items function effectively. They examine technology and machinery to identify defects or issues and handle all mechanical repairs and upgrades. These professionals typically collaborate with heads of departments to help improve the operating systems and train other employees to operate the different machines or tools.

11. Statistician

National average salary: $59,309 per year

Primary duties: Statisticians review, collect, and interpret different numerical data sets to help organizations create operation strategies and make informed decisions. They gather sales figures and production costs, and review and validate the data sets to ensure data integrity. These professionals use statistical programs to manage and build databases, apply statistical techniques and formulas, and make calculations to make accurate recommendations and predictions.

12. Radiation therapist

National average salary: $79,891 per year

Primary duties: Radiation therapists work with oncologists to develop radiation treatment plans for patients with cancer and other related health conditions. They also monitor how patients respond to treatments and administer drugs prescribed by the physician. Radiation therapists take their patients' measurements before treatments and provide counselling sessions to address patients' concerns about their treatments.

13. Economist

National average salary: $90,598 per year

Primary duties: Economists carefully study the creation and distribution of industry resources, goods, and services by analyzing data, trends, and various economic issues. They also gather and review relevant data using different models, mathematical techniques, and software. After concluding the analysis, they input their findings in tables, charts, and reports to help predict market trends and present them to executives and stakeholders.

14. Software engineer

National average salary: $78,231 per year

Primary duties: Software engineers use computer science techniques and principles of computer science, engineering, and mathematics to test software applications for organizations. They also direct system validation and testing methods, communicate project proposals, and implement software programming initiatives. Software engineers also perform supervisory roles overseeing the performances of the monitoring system, and applying fixes and updates where necessary.

15. Actuary

National average salary: $77,326 per year

Primary duties: An actuary applies statistics, financial theory, and mathematical methods to evaluate the financial implications of some organizational risks. They use the available data to create estimates to predict the economic implications of unexpected events, such as natural disasters, employees' sicknesses, and accidents. In addition to identifying potential risks, actuaries also help companies prepare for these situations by designing and testing the effectiveness of pension plans, insurance policies, and investments.

16. Dentist

National average salary: $167,708 per year
Primary duties: Dentists diagnose, evaluate, and treat issues involving patients' mouths, including the teeth and gums. They perform regular cleanings and conduct complex procedures such as oral surgery, tooth extractions, and root canals to correct a patient's bite issues. Dentists educate patients about the best habits to improve their oral health.

Related: How Long Is Dental School and What Are the Requirements?

17. Optometrist

National average salary: $113,643 per year

Primary duties: An optometrist examines a patient's eyes to diagnose, identify, and treat vision conditions, injuries, or diseases. Optometrists also perform routine eye examinations, prescribe contact lenses, glasses, and other corrective lenses for patients. They also diagnose eye problems like colour blindness and astigmatism and counsel patients on proper eye care techniques and methods.

Read more: How to Become an Optometrist in 5 Steps

18. Massage therapist

National average salary: $54.97 per hour

Primary duties: Massage therapists help treat clients by massaging their soft tissues and muscles. Before the session, they may discuss with the clients to identify what they want to get from the session and provide massages to help improve relaxation, circulation, and relieve pain. Massage therapists may provide clients with resources to help them continue the healing process later and stretch their muscles. Some massage therapists may work as employees in a beauty parlour, while others work independently with multiple clients.

19. Pediatric nurse practitioner

National average salary: $53,654 per year

Primary duties: Pediatric nurses attend to children's primary needs from birth until they become 18 years. They evaluate growth milestones, analyze growth patterns, and educate parents on normal growth and development for children. Pediatric nurses also order diagnostic tests and complete physical examinations for different purposes.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organization and a candidate's experience, academic background, and location.