Some of the careers vital to upholding and maintaining the fabric of American society are also among the most dangerous, according to a new CareerCast Jobs Rated report.
It’s no surprise that professions such as police officer, firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician, which are often associated with danger, made CareerCast’s list of top 10 dangerous jobs.
However, it might be surprising to learn that veterinarians were also named among the most dangerous professions.
“Animals can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous,” explains Kyle Kensing, Online Content Editor, CareerCast. “Veterinarians working with dogs and cats can face the workplace hazards of bites and scratches, and those who work with livestock and other large animals risk serious injury.”
The following are the 10 most dangerous jobs of 2016, according to the Jobs Rated report.
- Construction Laborer
- Correction Officer
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Farmer
- Firefighter
- Nursing Assistant
- Police Officer
- Taxi Driver
- Truck Driver
- Veterinarian
The most dangerous jobs were compiled by cross-referencing the 200 jobs tracked in the 2016 Jobs Rated report with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CDC, OSHA and various trade organization data.
The Safest Jobs
Quantifying the safest jobs is not quite as clear as determining the most dangerous. Low demand for travel, low physical activity and/or exertion, and workplace settings contribute to safer physical conditions. Some of the best-ranked Jobs Rated careers for environment have the lowest rate of physical incidents.
IT jobs, including computer systems analyst and web developer, reported the fewest on-the-job injuries or illnesses.
The following are CareerCast’s 10 safest jobs of 2016:
- Accountant/Auditor
- Actuary
- Computer Systems Analyst
- Dietician
- Interpreter/Translator
- Mathematician
- Medical Records Technician
- Paralegal Assistant
- Statistician
- Web Developer
The safest jobs were chosen based on work environment, which includes these physical factors, all of which contribute to workplace danger: energy (exertion/stamina); physical demands; work conditions (toxic fumes, noise, etc.); and degree of confinement.
