Stress at work is no longer confined to a few industries; it’s become a systemic issue across the world. According to an analysis conducted by Welltory, a stress and energy management app, researchers identified the most stressful careers by examining seven critical factors: Average Weekly Hours, Job Openings Rates, Workplace Injury and Illness Rates, Average Weekly Earnings, Layoff and Discharge Rates, Employee Quit Rates, and Worker Burnout Rate. Using a scientific min-max normalization formula, Welltory ranked industries on a scale of 1 to 100. The findings reveal the top 10 most stressful jobs heading into 2026.
Leisure and Hospitality (Score: 66): Customer-facing roles, irregular hours, and low pay make this industry the most stressful. Workers often juggle understaffed teams and demanding clients, leading to high burnout. (Image: AI-Generated)
Professional and Business Services (Score: 56): Consultants, analysts, and corporate professionals face long hours, tight deadlines, and constant client demands. Stress stems from both workload and job insecurity. (Image: AI-Generated)
Transportation and Warehousing (Score: 53): Truck drivers, warehouse staff, and logistics managers deal with physical strain, long shifts, and safety risks. Supply chain disruptions add to the pressure. (Image: AI-Generated)
Mining and Logging (Score: 50): Physically hazardous environments, high injury rates, and demanding schedules make this industry one of the toughest. Workers face both physical and psychological stress. (Image: AI-Generated)
Private Education and Health Services (Score: 46): Teachers, nurses, and healthcare staff manage overcrowded classrooms or hospitals, emotional exhaustion, and relatively modest pay compared to workload. (Image: AI-Generated)
Information (Score: 43): Tech professionals, journalists, and IT staff face relentless deadlines, cybersecurity threats, and the pressure of keeping systems running 24/7. (Image: AI-Generated)
Construction (Score: 43): Physically demanding work, safety risks, and project deadlines contribute to high stress. Job insecurity during economic downturns adds another layer. (Image: AI-Generated)
Retail Trade (Score: 42): Retail workers handle long hours, demanding customers, and low wages. Seasonal peaks, like holidays, intensify stress levels. (Image: AI-Generated)
Utilities (Score: 42): Employees in electricity, water, and gas services face high responsibility, hazardous conditions, and the stress of maintaining essential services without interruption. (Image: AI-Generated)
White-Collar High-Pressure Roles (Physicians, Judges, Executives): Beyond frontline industries, white-collar jobs with six-figure salaries also carry immense stress. Physicians, judges, and executives often sacrifice work-life balance for financial rewards, facing emotional exhaustion and decision-making pressure. (Image: AI-Generated)