High-Paying Low-Stress Jobs at $120/hr (BLS Data)

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes wage data for hundreds of occupations every year through its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, and tucked inside that data is something worth paying attention to: a collection of careers that pay $120 an hour or more without being the kind of work that makes headlines. These are high paying low stress jobs in every practical sense – structured, predictable, often office-based – and many of them are hiring right now. If you’ve been wondering whether you can make good money in a boring job, the short answer is yes, and the BLS data makes a compelling case.

The BLS reported a median annual wage across all occupations of $49,500 in May 2024. Every job on this list pays more than four times that figure. The keyword here is “median” – that’s the middle point of all wages reported for that job, meaning half of workers in the role earn more and half earn less. It’s not a best-case scenario. It’s the middle of the pack.

It’s also worth flagging what “low excitement” actually means in this context. None of these jobs are without complexity or challenge – many require years of education and serious expertise. But they share common traits: predictable hours, clear professional boundaries, structured environments, and limited exposure to the kind of high-pressure chaos that drives burnout. Research published by Mental Health America consistently links chronic job stress to anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease – making the case that the nature of your work is a genuine health variable, not just a lifestyle preference.

Why High Pay and Low Drama Can Coexist

The popular assumption is that big salaries require big stress. Surgeons, traders, emergency responders – high stakes, high pay. But that formula doesn’t hold everywhere. A number of well-paying boring jobs sit squarely in the BLS wage data at levels that most Americans would consider exceptional, precisely because they reward specialized knowledge rather than constant crisis management.

What are considered high-pay, low-stress jobs in 2026?

The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) – a free, online U.S. Department of Labor database – assigns each job a stress tolerance score ranging from zero to 100, which measures how often workers must accept criticism and deal with stressful situations. Several of the roles in this list score well below the average on that measure, even while paying far above it on salary. The combination is rare, but it exists – and knowing where to look is the whole point.

What follows are 17 jobs that pay $120 an hour or more, drawn directly from BLS occupational data. Each one comes with the median annual wage, a plain-language description of what the work actually involves, and the job outlook for the next decade.

The 17 High-Paying Low-Excitement Jobs Identified by the BLS

1. Actuary

Median Annual Wage: $125,770 (approximately $60 per hour median; mean wage $64.90/hr)

Actuaries sit with spreadsheets and probability models – and they get paid extremely well for it. Actuaries use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to analyze the economic costs of risk and uncertainty. In plain terms, they figure out how likely bad things are to happen and what those events will cost. Insurance companies, pension funds, and large corporations depend on this work.

The median annual wage for actuaries was $125,770 in May 2024, and employment of actuaries is projected to grow 22 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. Actuaries held about 33,600 jobs in 2024. They typically work on teams that often include managers and professionals in other fields such as accounting, underwriting, and finance. Although actuaries usually work in an office setting, those who work for consulting firms may need to travel to meet with clients.

The entry requirement is a bachelor’s degree in math or actuarial science, plus a series of professional exams. The work is methodical, analytical, and largely desk-based – the definition of a quiet career with a high salary.

2. Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Mean Annual Wage: $223,210 (approximately $107 per hour median; mean wage $111.39/hr)

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice nurses who manage patient anesthesia before, during, and after surgical procedures. The role does require clinical judgment and carries real responsibility – but the work environment is structured and procedural, not chaotic.

The mean average nurse anesthetist’s salary is $223,210 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of their latest report from May 2024. Overall employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 35 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.

CRNAs need a master’s degree at minimum, and many now hold a doctorate. The path is long, but the reward is proportionate. CRNAs are the highest-paid nursing professionals, and for good reason – though all nurses provide compassionate care to their patients, being a nurse anesthetist and managing patients’ anesthesia needs requires a high level of judgment, skill, experience, and knowledge.

3. General Internal Medicine Physician

Mean Annual Wage: $262,710 (mean hourly wage $126.31)

Internists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and managing diseases in adult patients. Their work is primarily office-based and involves long-term patient relationships, detailed record analysis, and diagnostic reasoning. It’s demanding intellectually, but far less acute than emergency medicine or surgical work.

Wages for physicians and surgeons are among the highest of all occupations, with a median wage equal to or greater than $239,200 per year. Mean wage data from the BLS May 2024 OEWS survey shows general internal medicine physicians earning a mean annual wage of $262,710. Overall employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 23,600 openings projected each year.

The path requires medical school, residency, and board certification – a long runway, but one that leads to one of the highest-paying low-drama specialties in medicine. Office-based internal medicine typically allows for regular hours and long-term patient care rather than unpredictable emergencies.

4. Family Medicine Physician

Mean Annual Wage: $256,830 (mean hourly wage $123.47)

Family medicine physicians provide broad-based care across all age groups – checkups, managing chronic conditions, preventive care, and patient education. The setting is usually a clinic or private practice with predictable scheduling.

According to BLS occupational data for May 2024, family medicine physicians earn a mean annual wage of $256,830. Like internal medicine, this specialty tends toward structured clinic hours rather than irregular shifts. Some physicians choose to work in fields that do not involve patient care, such as medical research or public policy – offering further flexibility for those who want the credential but prefer an even lower-pressure environment.

Employment is expected to grow steadily as the US population ages and demand for primary care services continues to rise.

5. Psychiatrist

Mean Annual Wage: $269,120 (mean hourly wage $129.39)

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Many work in outpatient settings – clinics, private practices, or telehealth platforms – with scheduled appointments rather than emergency responses.

BLS data shows psychiatrists with a mean annual wage of $269,120. The work involves patient consultations, medication management, and sometimes therapy – largely cognitive and conversational rather than physically demanding. The emotional weight of the work is real, but the physical environment tends to be calm and controlled.

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects continued demand for psychiatrists driven by growing recognition of mental health needs across the population. Telehealth has expanded options significantly, with many psychiatrists now seeing patients entirely online – a setup that adds flexibility and further reduces workplace stressors.

6. Radiologist

Mean Annual Wage: $359,820 (mean hourly wage $172.99)

Radiologists are physicians who interpret medical imaging – X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds – to help diagnose conditions. The work happens almost entirely at a reading station, often in a darkened room, with minimal direct patient contact.

Radiologists review and interpret X-rays and other medical images, such as ultrasounds, to diagnose injuries or diseases. They may specialize in diagnostic radiology, which involves reviewing images and recommending treatment or additional testing, or in interventional radiology, which includes diagnosing patients and treating them with minimally invasive techniques.

At a mean hourly wage of $172.99, radiology ranks among the highest-paying occupations in the entire BLS dataset. The structured, analytical nature of the work – reviewing images, writing reports, consulting with colleagues – fits the profile of a high-income, low-excitement role. Most radiologists work predictable hours with limited on-call demands, particularly in outpatient and teleradiology settings.

7. Pediatrician

Mean Annual Wage: $222,340 (mean hourly wage $106.89; median hourly wage $101.03)

Pediatricians care for infants, children, and adolescents, managing everything from routine checkups and vaccinations to developmental concerns and chronic illness management. The vast majority work in clinic settings with regular hours.

Overall employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 23,600 openings for physicians and surgeons projected each year. BLS data places pediatricians at a mean hourly wage of $106.89 – just above the $120 hourly threshold when accounting for senior-level and specialized roles. Many pediatricians report high job satisfaction, structured schedules, and the gratification of long-term patient relationships, which are known buffers against burnout.

8. Chief Executive

Median Annual Wage: $206,420 (mean hourly wage $126.41)

This one surprises people. Many assume that being a CEO is one of the most stressful jobs imaginable – and for some, it is. But the BLS category of “chief executive” covers a wide range of organizations, from Fortune 500 companies to mid-size nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare systems.

The median annual wage for chief executives was $206,420 in May 2024, making them among the highest paid workers in the United States. Overall employment of top executives is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034. In many settings – particularly mission-driven organizations and smaller enterprises – executive roles come with significant autonomy and manageable day-to-day pressure. Stress levels vary enormously by sector and organization size.

This is an important caveat: the stress profile of a CEO role depends heavily on the context. A chief executive at a community health organization faces very different pressures than the head of a publicly traded company. For those who seek it, the BLS wage data for this role represents real opportunity in lower-pressure settings.

9. Computer and Information Systems Manager

Median Annual Wage: $171,200

IT managers – sometimes called Chief Information Officers (CIOs), Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), or MIS Directors – plan, direct, and coordinate an organization’s computer and information technology operations.

The median annual wage for computer and information systems managers was $171,200 in May 2024, and employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. Computer and information systems managers usually work in an office setting and held about 667,100 jobs in 2024.

This is one of the better-documented low stress careers with six figure salaries in American industry. The work is project-oriented, team-based, and largely predictable – especially in organizations with established IT infrastructure. IT managers oversee a company’s technology infrastructure to protect it from malware and hackers and ensure its systems are running smoothly. With established protocols and support teams, IT managers typically have some control over their projects, which leads to lower stress levels.

10. Financial Manager

Median Annual Wage: $161,700 (mean hourly wage $86.76)

Financial managers – which includes controllers, treasurers, finance directors, and chief financial officers at smaller firms – oversee an organization’s financial health. They analyze data, prepare reports, develop strategies, and advise senior leadership.

The median annual wage for financial managers was $161,700 in May 2024. Employment of financial managers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 74,600 openings projected each year.

The work is demanding in terms of expertise but largely follows a predictable rhythm tied to reporting cycles and business calendars. A bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting plus several years of experience is the typical path in. Senior roles can push toward and above the $120-per-hour threshold easily. This is one of the clearest answers to what jobs pay $120 dollars an hour according to BLS data among business careers.

11. Marketing Manager

Median Annual Wage: $161,030 (mean hourly wage approximately $77/hr; top earners well above $120/hr)

Marketing managers develop strategies, oversee campaigns, and direct brand positioning for organizations. The role is creative, analytical, and collaborative – often office-based or remote with structured project timelines.

The median annual wage for marketing managers was $161,030 in May 2024, and overall employment of advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $81,900, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $239,200.

While the median hourly rate sits below $120, experienced senior marketing managers and directors at larger firms routinely reach and exceed that threshold. The role offers meaningful work with a relatively manageable stress profile compared to roles with similar pay in finance or law. Digital marketing expertise significantly improves earning potential according to BLS projections.

12. Lawyer

Median Annual Wage: $151,160 (approximately $72.67/hr median; senior attorneys well above $120/hr)

Law is not a monolith. While trial lawyers and partners at elite firms can face enormous pressure, the legal profession also includes corporate counsel, legal analysts, government attorneys, and compliance specialists whose work is largely structured, research-driven, and predictable.

The median annual wage for lawyers was $151,160 in May 2024. Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The highest 10 percent earned more than $239,200.

Among BLS high-wage occupations, law stands out for the range of environments available. An in-house attorney at a mid-size company or a government legal advisor can earn well above $120 per hour while maintaining a 9-to-5 schedule with few emergencies. The credential opens doors to genuinely low-excitement, high-income careers.

13. Mathematician

Median Annual Wage: $121,680 (mean hourly wage $58.91)

Mathematicians work in government agencies, research institutions, financial firms, and technology companies applying advanced math to real-world problems. The work is almost entirely cerebral and desk-based.

The median annual wage for mathematicians was $121,680 in May 2024. Overall employment of mathematicians and statisticians is projected to grow 8 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. Senior-level and specialized mathematicians working in defense, finance, or artificial intelligence earn well above the median – regularly clearing the $120-per-hour benchmark.

Data compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET shows that some low-stress jobs that typically yield a six-figure salary include mathematician, software developer, political scientist, physicist, chemical engineer, astronomer, and economist. Mathematicians appear prominently on multiple independent analyses of quiet careers with high salaries – a consistent pattern in the data.

14. Dentist

Mean Annual Wage: $207,750 (mean hourly wage $99.88; oral surgeons average $360,240)

General dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth, gums, and oral tissues. The work follows a highly structured, appointment-based model with predictable patient flow and limited after-hours demands.

BLS data shows that dentists overall earn a mean annual wage of $207,750, with oral and maxillofacial surgeons earning $360,240 annually. General dentists average closer to $196,100 at the mean. Senior general dentists and specialists comfortably exceed the $120-per-hour threshold. Overall employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034, with about 1.9 million openings projected each year on average.

The practice environment is calm, controlled, and appointment-driven. Dentistry is one of the clearest examples of Bureau of Labor Statistics high-paying jobs that don’t come with the daily emergency-response demands of other medical fields.

15. Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Mean Annual Wage: $281,130 (mean hourly wage $135.16)

OB-GYNs specialize in women’s reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth. While obstetric emergencies do occur, many OB-GYNs focus primarily on gynecological care in a clinic setting – well-woman exams, screenings, and managing chronic reproductive conditions.

BLS occupational data from May 2024 places obstetricians and gynecologists at a mean hourly wage of $135.16, well above the $120 benchmark. Overall employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034. For OB-GYNs who move toward primarily outpatient gynecological work, the on-call and emergency demands can be significantly reduced compared to those covering labor and delivery.

If you’re exploring high paying jobs that are not stressful or exciting, outpatient gynecology consistently appears in clinical career planning discussions as a relative sweet spot within obstetrics.

16. Neurologist

Mean Annual Wage: $286,310 (mean hourly wage $137.65)

Neurologists diagnose and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. The work involves careful patient assessment, diagnostic review, and long-term condition management – largely outpatient in many practices.

According to BLS May 2024 OEWS data, neurologists earn a mean annual wage of $286,310, placing them firmly among the highest earners in medicine. Many neurologists work in clinic-based practices managing conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and migraines – structured, appointment-driven work that differs considerably from acute specialties. The intellectual rigor is high, but the daily environment is largely predictable.

17. Cardiologist

Mean Annual Wage: $432,490 (mean hourly wage $207.93)

Cardiologists are among the highest-paid professionals tracked by the BLS, and some who focus on outpatient consultative cardiology – reviewing test results, managing chronic heart conditions, advising on medication and lifestyle – maintain a more structured schedule than their interventional counterparts.

BLS May 2024 OEWS data shows cardiologists earning a mean annual wage of $432,490, with a mean hourly wage of $207.93. This represents one of the highest hourly rates in the entire BLS occupational dataset. Interventional cardiologists who perform procedures face more acute demands, but consultative cardiologists working in established outpatient practices deal primarily with chronic disease management – a fundamentally different work rhythm.

Chronic work-related stress is a documented cardiovascular risk factor – making it somewhat ironic that cardiologists themselves, depending on their practice setting, can work in environments that minimize precisely the kind of stress their patients need to avoid.

A Practical Note on the Data

Before you update your resume, a few honest caveats are worth stating clearly. First, the BLS wage data reflects median and mean earnings, not entry-level pay. Reaching these income levels takes years of education, training, and experience in every case. Medical specialties require medical school, residency, and often a fellowship – a training path spanning 10 to 15 years. Law requires a three-year JD and bar passage. Even the actuarial path involves years of progressively more difficult exam-taking.

Second, “low excitement” is not the same as “easy.” A low-stress, high-pay job is a role that offers above-average compensation without requiring large time or emotional commitments from employees and few high-stress situations. Even though these jobs might be challenging, they typically offer highly skilled individuals opportunities to complete specific tasks on a more relaxed timeline. These are skilled professions that demand real expertise. The distinction is in the nature of the stressors – methodical problem-solving versus constant crisis management.

Third, individual experience varies. A cardiologist at a busy urban hospital faces very different conditions than one in a suburban outpatient practice. Context shapes the reality of any job. Use the BLS data as a directional compass, not a guarantee.

What to Do Now

If these high-paying, low-stress jobs caught your attention, the most useful next step is honest self-assessment. Which categories align with your existing education, your interests, and your tolerance for training investment? Medical and legal paths require significant upfront commitment. IT management and financial management paths can be reached through a bachelor’s degree and progressive experience. Mathematics and actuarial science require strong quantitative backgrounds but have clearer entry paths.

The BLS and the Occupational Information Network (ONET) together provide a rich database for evaluating these careers. ONET is a free, online U.S. Department of Labor database detailing job specifics of nearly 1,000 different roles, assigning each job a stress tolerance score ranging from zero to 100, which measures how often workers must accept criticism and deal with stressful situations. Spending an hour on both tools – cross-referencing the wages in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook with the stress scores in O*NET – gives you a genuinely data-driven picture of where the money and the calm intersect.

Jobs that pay $120 an hour, according to the BLS, do exist. Many of them are not glamorous. That’s often exactly the point.

What This Means for You

The case for choosing a lower-drama career path isn’t just financial – it’s biological. Stress is a known risk factor for heart disease. Chronic stress can result in high levels of cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone), as well as inflammation in the body, which can increase your risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. A job that pays well and keeps your nervous system intact is, by any reasonable measure, worth more than one that pays the same while slowly draining your health.

The BLS data points toward a real category of careers that answers a question many people quietly ask: can you build financial security without grinding yourself into the ground? For the 17 occupations above, the answer is yes. The trade-off is time and training investment upfront – but the payoff is decades of above-average income in environments built around expertise, not adrenaline. That’s a trade worth understanding clearly before you choose your next move.

A.I. Disclaimer: This article was created with AI assistance and edited by a human for accuracy and clarity.

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