These are the 47 unhealthiest jobs in the United States

These are the 47 unhealthiest jobs in the United StatesThese are the 47 unhealthiest jobs in the United StatesSome jobs intrinsically have more health risks than others.A flight attendant working in close quarters with passengers is more likely to catch an infectious disease than a lawyer working in an office, for example. Factor in the greater exposure to cosmic radiation, abartig sleep patterns, and a less-than-clean work environment, and its just not the healthiest job.To rank the most unhealthy jobs in America, we used data from the Occupational Information Network, a US Department of Labor database full of detailed information on occupations.In order to analyze jobs by their impact on workers health, we took O*NET measures of six health risks in each of the 974 occupations in the database exposure to contaminants exposure to disease and infection exposure to hazardous conditions exposure to radiation risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings and time spent sitting, since stud ies show that frequent inactivity shortens your lifespan. O*NET scores these factors on a scale from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating an increased health risk.Ladders is now on SmartNewsDownload the SmartNews app and add the Ladders channel to read the latest career news and advice wherever you go.Read on to find out which jobs have the most potential to damage your health.46 (tie). Mining roof boltersRoof bolters operate machinery to install support bolts in underground mines.Median annual salary $58,450Overall unhealthiness score 51.3Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 97Exposure to hazardous conditions 86Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings 8546 (tie). Chemical equipment operators and tendersChemical equipment operators and tenders andrang equipment to control chemical reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products.Median annual salary $47,800Overall unhealthiness score 51.3Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 92Exposure to haz ardous conditions 89Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings 6444 (tie). Respiratory therapistsRespiratory therapists assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders.Median annual salary $59,710Overall unhealthiness score 51.8Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 98Exposure to contaminants 69Exposure to radiation 5544 (tie). Gas plant operatorsGas plant operators distribute or process gas for utility companies and others.Median annual salary $69,030Overall unhealthiness score 51.8Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 87Exposure to hazardous conditions 75Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings 6443. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except enginesMobile heavy equipment mechanics diagnose, adjust, and repair equipment like cranes, bulldozers, and conveyors used in construction, logging, and mining.Median annual salary $50,860Overall unhealthiness score 52.2Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 99Risk of minor burns, cuts, bit es, and stings 94Exposure to hazardous conditions 8340 (tie). PlumbersPlumbers assemble, install, or repair heating, water, and drainage pipes and fixtures.Median annual salary $52,590Overall unhealthiness score 52.3Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 87Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings 79Exposure to disease and infections 5840 (tie). Mine shuttle car operatorsMine shuttle car operators operate cars that transport from the working face of a mine to mine cars or a conveyor.Median annual salary $56,890Overall unhealthiness score 52.3Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 100Time spent sitting 82Exposure to hazardous conditions 8040 (tie). Locomotive firersLocomotive firers monitor locomotive instruments and watch for obstacles and train signals.Median annual salary $60,360Overall unhealthiness score 52.3Top three health risksTime spent sitting 94Exposure to contaminants 94Exposure to hazardous conditions 7639. Ship engineersShip engineers supervise and co ordinate the operation and maintenance of equipment aboard ship.Median annual salary $73,110Overall unhealthiness score 52.5Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 94Exposure to hazardous conditions 76Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings 7338. Sheriffs and deputy sheriffsSheriffs enforce law and order in rural or unincorporated districts or serve legal processes of courts.Median annual salary $61,050Overall unhealthiness score 52.7Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 77Exposure to contaminants 72Time spent sitting 5834 (tie). RadiologistRadiologists examine and diagnose disorders and diseases using X-rays and radioactive materials.Median annual salary $206,920Overall unhealthiness score 52.8Top three health risksExposure to radiation 87Exposure to disease and infections 85Time spent sitting 7434 (tie). Metal-refining furnace operators and tenderMetal-refining furnace operators and tenders operate or tend furnaces to melt and refine metal before cas ting or to produce specified types of steel.Median annual salary $41,040Overall unhealthiness score 52.8Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 100Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings 96Exposure to hazardous conditions 9434 (tie). EmbalmerEmbalmers prepare bodies for burial in conformity with legal requirements.Median annual salary $40,150Overall unhealthiness score 52.8Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 83Exposure to contaminants 83Exposure to hazardous conditions 7534 (tie). Elevator installers and repairerElevator installers and repairers install and repair elevators.Median annual salary $78,890Overall unhealthiness score 52.8Top three health risksExposure to hazardous conditions 98Exposure to contaminants 82Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings 6133. Nuclear medicine technologistNuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive isotopes for use in diagnostic medical procedures.Median annual salary $74,350Overall unhealthiness score 53. 0Top three health risksExposure to radiation 100Exposure to disease and infections 93Exposure to contaminants 4432. Refrigeration mechanics and installerRefrigeration mechanics and installers install and repair industrial and commercial refrigerating ordnungsprinzips.Median annual salary $45,910Overall unhealthiness score 53.3Top three health risksExposure to hazardous conditions 93Exposure to contaminants 91Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings 7131. Critical care nurseCritical care nurses provide advanced nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.Median annual salary $68,450Overall unhealthiness score 53.5Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 99Exposure to contaminants 65Exposure to radiation 6129 (tie). Service unit operator (oil, gas, and mining)Service unit operators operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells and other mining operations .Median annual salary $48,610Overall unhealthiness score 53.7Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 94Exposure to hazardous conditions 89Risk of minor burns, cuts, stings, and bites 7729 (tie). Chemical plant and system operatorChemical plant and system operators control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines.Median annual salary $59,920Overall unhealthiness score 53.7Top three health risksExposure to hazardous conditions 99Exposure to contaminants 96Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings 7127 (tie). Continuous mining-machine operatorsContinuous mining-machine operators operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors or into shuttle cars in a continuous operation.Median annual salary $51,840Overall unhealthiness score 54.0Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 100Exposure to hazardous conditions 98Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings 6427 (tie) . Emergency medical technicians and paramedicsEmergency medical technicians and paramedics assess injuries, administer emergency medical care, and extricate trapped individuals. Transport injured or sick people to medical facilities.Median annual salary $32,670Overall unhealthiness score 54.0Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 89Exposure to contaminants 73Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, and stings 5326. Refractory materials repairers (except brickmasons)Refractory materials repairers build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.Median annual salary $45,230Overall unhealthiness score 54.8Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 100Exposure to hazardous conditions 85Risk of minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings 8525. Refuse and recyclable material collectorsRefuse and recyclable material collectors collect and dump refuse and recyclable materials into trucks.Media n annual salary $35,270Overall unhealthiness score 55.0Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 97Time spent sitting 69Exposure to disease and infections 6324. Nuclear equipment operation techniciansNuclear equipment operation technicians operate equipment used for the release, control, or use of nuclear energy to assist scientists in laboratory or production activities.Median annual salary $79,140Overall unhealthiness score 55.2Top three health risksExposure to radiation 89Exposure to hazardous conditions 77Exposure to contaminants 6522 (tie). Medical equipment preparersMedical equipment preparers prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.Median annual salary $34,400Overall unhealthiness score 55.7Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 94Exposure to disease and infections 92Exposure to hazardous conditions 6422 (tie). Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineersAirl ine pilots, copilots, and flight engineers navigate and pilot the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, usually on scheduled air-carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo.Median annual salary $127,820Overall unhealthiness score 55.7Top three health risksTime spent sitting 93Exposure to radiation 73Exposure to contaminants 6821. Derrick operators (oil and gas)Oil and gas derrick operators rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud through a drill hole.Median annual salary $48,130Overall unhealthiness score 56.0Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 100Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings 93Exposure to hazardous conditions 9120. Veterinary technologists and technicianVeterinary technologists and technicians perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals and prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases.Median annual salary $25,250Overall unhealthiness score 66.5Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 87Exposure to contaminants 82Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings 7719. Medical and clinical laboratory technologistMedical and clinical laboratory technologists perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.Median annual salary $61,070Overall unhealthiness score 56.7Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 96Exposure to contaminants 91Exposure to hazardous conditions 7918. Surgical technologistsSurgical technologists assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel.Median annual salary $45,160Overall unhealthiness score 57.3Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 82Exposure to contaminants 81Exposure to hazardous conditions 5917. Stationary engineers and boiler operatorsStationary engineers and boiler operators maintain or operate stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanica l equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes.Median annual salary $59,400Overall unhealthiness score 57.7Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 99Exposure to hazardous conditions 89Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings 8416. Surgical assistantSurgical assistants help surgeons during surgery by performing duties like tissue retraction, insertion of tubes and intravenous lines, or closure of surgical wounds.Median annual salary $41,070Overall unhealthiness score 57.8Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 87Exposure to hazardous conditions 70Exposure to contaminants 6914 (tie). Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operatorWater and wastewater treatment plant and system operators operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.Median annual salary $45,760Overall unhealthiness score 58.2Top three health risksExposure to con taminants 97Exposure to hazardous conditions 80Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings 7414 (tie). VeterinarianVeterinarians diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals.Median annual salary $48,500Overall unhealthiness score 62.3Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 88Exposure to disease and infections 77Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings 6913. Histotechnologists and histologic techniciansHistotechnologists and histologic technicians prepare histologic slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists.Median annual salary $61,070Overall unhealthiness score 59.0Top three health risksExposure to hazardous conditions 88Exposure to contaminants 76Exposure to disease and infections 7512. Immigration and customs inspectorImmigration and customs inspectors investigate and inspect people, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the US or between states to detect violations of i mmigration and customs laws and regulations.Median annual salary $78,120Overall unhealthiness score 59.3Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 78Exposure to disease and infections 63Exposure to radiation 6211. PodiatristPodiatrists diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.Median annual salary $124,830Overall unhealthiness score 60.2Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 87Exposure to radiation 69Exposure to contaminants 6710. Anesthesiologist assistantAnesthesiologist assistants help anesthesiologists administer anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures. They monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.Median annual salary $101,480Overall unhealthiness score 61.3Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 97Exposure to radiation 72Exposure to contaminants 719. AnesthesiologistAnesthesiologists are physicians who administer anesthetics prior to, during, or after surgery or other medic al procedures.Mean annual salary $269,600*Overall unhealthiness score 61.8Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 90Exposure to contaminants 81Exposure to radiation 72* Exact median annual salary is unavailable for this occupation.8. Flight attendantFlight attendants provide personal services to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of airline passengers during flight. They greet passengers, verify tickets, explain use of safety equipment, and serve food or beverages.Median annual salary $48,500Overall unhealthiness score 62.3Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 88Exposure to disease and infections 77Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings 697. ProsthodontistProsthodontists construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures to correct natural and acquired deformation of mouth and jaws, to restore and maintain oral function, such as chewing and speaking, and to improve appearance.Median annual salary $126,050Overall unhe althiness score 63Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 88Exposure to contaminants 74Time spent sitting 666. Nurse anesthetistNurse anesthetists administer anesthesia, monitor patients vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia.Median annual salary $160,270Overall unhealthiness score 63.7Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 96Exposure to contaminants 87Exposure to radiation 795. Dental assistantDental assistants help dentists, set up equipment, prepare patients for treatment, and keep records.Median annual salary $36,940Overall unhealthiness score 65.5Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 96Exposure to radiations 85Exposure to contaminants 784. Dental laboratory technicianDental laboratory technicians construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.Median annual salary $37,680Overall unhealthiness score 65.7Top three health risksExposure to contaminants 99Time spent sitting 85Exposure to dise ase and infections 723. Veterinary assistant and laboratory animal caretakerVeterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics.Median annual salary $25,250Overall unhealthiness score 66.5Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 87Exposure to contaminants 82Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings 772. General dentistGeneral dentists examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. They may treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth and fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.Median annual salary $153,900Overall unhealthiness score 69.5Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 95Exposure to radiation 85Time spent sitting 821. Dental hygienistDental hygienists clean teeth and examine oral areas, h ead, and neck for signs of oral disease. They may educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.Median annual salary $72,910Overall unhealthiness score 72.8Top three health risksExposure to disease and infections 100Exposure to radiation 91Time spent sitting 85Max Nisen contributed to an earlier version of this post. This article first appeared on geschftlicher umgang Insider.