The 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in the U.S.
By Travers Korch | Bankrate.com
Paper cuts are the worst. That is, until you put things in perspective and realize that for many of us, our jobs require very little actual physical danger. From the relatively exotic to the seemingly mundane, certain occupations carry an underlying danger that can reach up to 116 fatalities per 100,000 workers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent figures, there were 4,547 fatal occupational injuries in 2010, or four fewer than reported in 2009. The majority of these injuries occur in a handful of sectors representing the most dangerous ways to earn a living in the country.
But for the rest of us, we all know that getting a paper cut right where your finger bends is still pretty terrible.
Job: Fishing
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Risk factors: The producers of “Deadliest Catch” don’t need to create much artificial drama, as fishers and fishing workers have — on average — the most dangerous jobs in the country. Malfunctioning gear, inclement weather and transportation incidents all factor into the fact that this profession has the country’s highest fatality rate, a distinction it has held since 1992.
Fatality rate: 116 per 100,000 workers; 29 total
Average annual salary: $25,590
Job: Logging workers
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Risk factors: Total logging fatalities in the U.S. increased from 36 in 2009 to 59 in 2010, with more than half of the incidents resulting from being struck by an object. Dangers abound when you spend most of your days outside with heavy machinery, frequently bad weather and occasional high altitudes.
Fatality rate: 91.9 per 100,000 workers; 59 total
Average annual salary: $32,870
Job: Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
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Risk factors: Though pilots are often financially compensated for the inherent dangers and responsibilities of their jobs, no amount of money can change the fact that it’s a long way down. It’s no surprise transportation accidents, including crashes, were a leading factor in the rate.
Fatality rate: 70.6 per 100,000 workers; 78 total
Average annual salary: $118,070 for airline pilots and $76,050 for commercial pilots
Job: Farmers and ranchers
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Risk factors: Working the land may be one of the oldest professions, but new efficient technology has done little to make the job any safer. Long hours and close, consistent contact with heavy machinery and equipment represent the bulk of injuries and fatalities on the job, which is largely represented by transportation incidents.
Fatality rate: 41.4 per 100,000 workers; 300 total
Average annual salary: $60,750
Job: Mining
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Risk factors: Heavy machinery, close quarters and explosive materials all play into mining’s high fatality rate, which took into account the 2010 incidents of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia. Mining machine operators have an even higher rate, at 38.7 per 100,000 workers, or 23 fatalities in total.
Fatality rate: 19.9 per 100,000 workers; 172 total
Average annual salary: $37,230 to $89,440
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