10 Best Low Stress Jobs [2024]

Feeling stressed? Unfortunately, it’s all too common. 55% of Americans report feeling stressed during an average day.

Now, you may be asking yourself, “How can I reduce stress and improve my overall well-being?” One option is to choose a relaxing career. 

Working can be stressful – but it doesn’t have to be. In this article, I’ll share some of the best low stress jobs. I’ll also tell you how much you can expect to earn based on the latest government statistics. 

So, read on. You could be on the verge of a more relaxing career – and a healthier, happier life!

Top Low Stress Jobs

Good news, stressed-out Americans: There are plenty of low stress jobs available that could totally improve your well-being. 

These careers come in all shapes and sizes. Want to work outside? You can totally do it. Prefer the privacy of an office? You can do that, too! 

Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, a bookworm or a math nerd, there’s a low-stress job that matches your personality.

Whatever your preferences, here are the best low stress jobs to consider!

1 – Dog Walker 

Median Salary: $29,530

Of all the low stress jobs, working as a dog walker is probably the most relaxing. 

Think about it. You’ll be outside – getting fresh air is great for your mood. You’ll be walking – exercise is a proven stress reducer. Best of all, you’ll be spending your time with adorable pups! 

How could you be stressed with a dog at your side?

Typically, a dog walker’s role is to get the dog some exercise while the owners are at work. That means you’ll go to the home, get the dog, and take it for a stroll.

There are a few ways to find dog-walking clients:

1. Tell the dog owners in your life that you’ll walk their dogs.
2. Post ads online and around your neighborhood to actively seek out clients.
3. Join an app or digital platform specifically designed for dog walkers. 

If you decide to use an app, Rover is the best in the business. Not only can you use it to work as a dog walker, but you could also find clients for dog-sitting and doggy daycare. 

Looking for more exciting employment opportunities? Check out this list of fun jobs that pay well. 

2 – Delivery Driver

Median Salary: $36,410  

“Delivery driving” can mean lots of things – but these days, it often refers to making food deliveries for an app.

DoorDash is one of the most popular apps for delivery drivers. Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up for DoorDash. It takes just a few minutes!
2. Create your own schedule. You decide when to work, and then you can accept or reject individual deliveries.
3. Make deliveries – and get paid! You can start working just a few days after signing up. 

When you work as a delivery driver, you’ll pick food up from restaurants and then drop it off at people’s homes or places of work. And in the meantime, you can listen to music, catch up on your favorite podcasts, or just enjoy being out and about. 

Pretty chill, right? No wonder delivery driving is considered one of the best low stress jobs!

If you find yourself on the DoorDash waitlist, here are a few ways to try to get off and get delivering faster. 

And learn here how to get a free DoorDash gift card.

For more relaxing work options, read this list of easy jobs that pay well.

3 – Video Game Designer 

Median Salary: $80,730

Are you an avid gamer? Do you know how to code? If you answered “yes” to both of those questions, then working as a video game designer is the perfect low stress job for you.

Here’s what the job usually entails:

• Writing the details of the game
• Building the code
• Creating the graphics
• Testing the gameplay and efficiency

You could end up creating games for computers, websites, or mobile devices. In most cases, you’ll be able to work from home and create your own schedule. That will leave you plenty of time for playing video games as well – you know, for inspiration!

4 – Dental Hygienist 

Median Salary: $81,400

A dental hygienist works to prevent tooth-related health issues by keeping people’s teeth nice and clean.

Most dental hygienists work in a dentist’s office, where tasks include:

• Cleaning teeth
• Taking X-rays
• Giving out fluoride 
• Educating patients on the importance of dental hygiene

Some might say a dental hygienist’s job is more important than a dentist’s. Sure, root canals are vital sometimes – but the dental hygienist helps prevent patients from needing one in the first place!

Now, I bet you’re surprised to see a medical position on a list of low stress jobs.

I get it – but working as a dental hygienist is probably the chillest job in the dentist’s office. Think about it like this: You’ll be cleaning the patients’ teeth, not drilling into them!

To get started on the path toward becoming a dental hygienist, consider an associate degree in dental hygiene. 

5 – Medical Records Technician

Median Salary: $47,180

Doctors and nurses might be on the front lines, helping patients – but who’s behind the scenes at the hospital, keeping things running? 

That’s right – the medical records technicians. These are the folks who manage the paperwork. And while it might be challenging sometimes, it’s a lot chiller than performing open heart surgery!

As a medical records technician, you do more than just push paper around. You’ll also have to understand the details in medical records so you can properly file and code them. That’s where the “technician” part comes in!  

To work as a medical records technician, you’ll have to get an associate degree or certificate. Expect to take classes on anatomy and medical terminology. 

Once you’re done with your studies, you can start doing your part to help patients – the stress-free way!

6 – Fitness Trainer

Median Salary: $45,380 

Are you into exercising and being around other people? If so, then working as a fitness trainer is perfect!

There are several ways to work as a fitness trainer. Options include:

• Working at a gym
• Offering group classes
• Offering individual training

Whatever route you take, you can expect to enjoy a low-stress lifestyle. For one thing, you’ll be constantly on the move – and we all know exercise is good for the psyche. You’ll also be working with other people, so loneliness shouldn’t be an issue.

Then there’s the positive vibes you’ll get from helping other people achieve their goals! You’ll be making a major impact on other people’s lives, each and every day. Not a bad way to make a living, right?

If you’d like to try out new fitness products for free, learn about Nike product testing and Adidas product testing.

Fitness training isn’t the only occupation that’s great for a “people person.” Check out this list of the best jobs for extroverts. 

7 – Gardener 

Median Salary: $36,160

Imagine kneeling in a flowerbed, tending to beautiful red roses as the birds sing all around you. Sounds like paradise, right? Well, that could be your day-to-day if you can find work as a gardener!

Of course, working as a gardener or landscaper isn’t all birdsong and daisies! You’ll have to work hard. Standard tasks include:

• Maintaining flower beds
• Trimming and fertilizing plants
• Mowing lawns
• Managing pests
• Mulching gardens
• Maintaining gardening equipment

As hard as you’ll have to work, you’ll still enjoy a low-stress job. You’ll be outside. You’ll be getting exercise. And, if you play your cards right, you’ll get to be your own boss and set your own schedule. 

Oh, and one more benefit – this isn’t a job that the robots will steal any time soon. There’s no chatbot that can mow a lawn or pick a weed!

Looking for other jobs that only a human can do? Here’s a list of jobs that won’t be automated.  

8 – Software Developer 

Median Salary: $124,200

Software developers play a big role in today’s economy. They’re the ones creating and maintaining all the apps and computer programs that make the world go round!

That might seem like a lot of responsibility, but working as a software developer is still a low-stress job. You’ll be working with colleagues to make digital magic happen. It’s collaborative, creative, and often fun. 

Typical tasks for a software developer include:

• Working with clients to come up with ideas for software
• Writing new code
• Improving or updating coding that already exists
• Searching for bugs and other issues

Some companies might prefer to hire software developers with college degrees. 

But remember, earning six figures isn’t always about having an impressive diploma on the wall. Check out this list of jobs that pay 100K a year without a degree. 

9 -Actuary 

Median Salary: $113,990 

An actuary is someone who uses math and statistics to make predictions about the future. They typically work in the insurance industry, helping companies make important decisions about clients.

As an actuary, you’ll spend your days applying equations to real-life situations. You’ll have colleagues, but for the most part, it will be just you and the numbers. It’s kind of a math nerd’s paradise, right?

Working as an actuary isn’t the only stress-free option for people who like numbers. You could also consider a data entry job. 

Take a look at this list of the best data entry jobs from home. 

10 – Librarian

Median Salary: $61,660

Okay, book lovers – this one’s for you! Working as a librarian, you’ll be surrounded by literary greatness. More importantly, you’ll spend your days helping other bookworms find what they need. That’s why it’s so rewarding!

And here’s the thing about libraries: There are a lot of them!

You can find libraries in schools, universities, museums, and even law firms. Then there are the public libraries, which serve communities across the country. 

Wherever you work, your tasks will likely include:

• Choosing books for the shelves
• Finding books for patrons
• Keeping the books organized
• Supervising assistants
• Organizing book-related events
• Managing the library’s daily affairs

Unfortunately, librarians often need a master’s degree. But once your education is finished, you can enjoy one of the best low-stress jobs in the country!

Commonly Asked Questions About Low Stress Jobs

Which is The Least Stressful Job? 

Here are some of the best low stress jobs available:

• Dog walker (get started with Rover)
• Delivery driver (try out DoorDash)
• Video game designer
• Dental hygienist 
• Medical records technician
• Fitness trainer
• Gardener
• Software Developer
• Actuary
• Librarian

What Are High Paying Low-Stress Jobs? 

Working as a software developer is pretty low-stress because you get to collaborate with others and be creative – and it pays, on average, $124,200 per year. Actuaries also earn a lot ($113,990 on average), and the job is relaxing if you like numbers. 

To learn which budgeting app could best help you manage your finances and boost your savings, check out these comparisons of Rocket Money vs the competition:

• Rocket Money vs YNAB
• Rocket Money vs Simplifi
• Rocket Money vs Copilot

Which is The Most Peaceful Job? 

Working as a gardener is probably the most peaceful job. Yes, you might have to work pretty hard – but you’ll be outside, surrounded by plants! Other low stress jobs include dog walking and delivery driving. 

What Jobs Are Not Fast Paced?

If you don’t want a fast-paced job, you could consider working as a librarian. There are plenty of tasks to complete, from organizing books to helping patrons, but you won’t be sprinting around very often. 

Low-Stress Jobs That Pay Well? 

Working as an actuary is a low-stress job that pays well ($113,990 a year on average). Software developers can also earn six figures, and they get to develop and maintain digital programs often while collaborating with others.

Low-Stress Jobs Without a Degree?

Dog walking, delivery driving, and fitness training are three of the best low stress jobs for people without a degree. You don’t need a fancy diploma to succeed in these fields, and you’ll have the flexibility to create your own schedule. 

Low Stress Jobs for Introverts?

If you’re an introvert, you could enjoy working as an actuary, video game designer, or mental records technician. In all three of these positions, you’ll probably get to work on your own – only interacting with others when something comes up. 

Fun Low-Stress Jobs?

Lots of low stress jobs can be fun, but dog walking is probably the most enjoyable. If you’re at all of a dog-lover, you’ll get a kick out of being outside with adorable pups. Get started today with Rover. Working as a fitness trainer can also be a super good time.

Low Stress High Paying Jobs?

Working as a software developer, actuary, dental hygienist, or video game designer tends to be stress-free – and you could earn way more than an average salary! Software developers, for example, earn $124,200 on average. 

Low Stress Jobs Reddit

On Reddit, someone recently asked about low-stress careers.

One person suggested government jobs, saying they’re low-stress and offer employee benefits. 

Someone else mentioned data entry, which allows you to work from home, and massage therapy.

*Job salary statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Numbers may vary based on location, experience, and skill level.