America's Most Stressful Jobs 2010

With unemployment high, many people with jobs are grateful to get their weekly paychecks, but that feeling alone doesn't take the stress out of the daily grind.

To get a sense of the most stressful jobs in America, CareerCast.com looked at 21 different factors that can cause stress on the job, and ranked 200 professions by how significantly these demands factor into the average workday. Factors that weighed into stress levels included work environment, job competitiveness, opportunity for advancement and even perceived risk of unemployment.

CareerCast has also includes a range of unemployment each profession faces around the country, a number which contributes to perceived risk of unemployment.

So, what are the most stressful jobs in America? Click ahead to find out!

Posted 22 April 2010

Stress Rank: 191
Stress Score: 73.063
Unemployment: 4%-7%
Hours Per Day: 9.5
Time Pressure: High
Competition: Very High

"Real estate agents and brokers work long, erratic hours, spending much of their showing properties to clients. They must be extremely independent, and able to handle sales quotas and deadline pressures. Because they work in an extremely competitive field, successful agents and brokers are expert salespersons," says CareerCast.com.

Stress Rank: 192
Stress Score: 74.555
Unemployment: 14%+
Hours Per Day: 9.5
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: Very High

"Although not physically demanding, work in advertising is emotionally and mentally stressful. Competition and the pressure of acquiring and maintaining major accounts forces executives in this field to work long and irregular hours. The work requires a high level of creativity, meeting deadlines, close attention to detail and self-motivation," says CareerCast.com.

Stress Rank: 193
Stress Score: 78.523
Unemployment: 4%-7%
Hours Per Day: 9
Time Pressure: High
Competition: Very High

"Public relations specialists make speeches and give presentations, often in front of large crowds. Because it is a highly competitive field, specialists must work quickly and creatively to meet deadlines. In addition, some PR officers are required to interact with potentially hostile members of the media," says CareerCast.com.

Stress Rank: 194
Stress Score: 80.651
Unemployment: 0%-4%
Hours Per Day: 9.5
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: Low

"Highway patrol officers often work late nights, and on weekends and holidays. They face many hazards, such as high-speed chases and gun-toting citizens. Work requires physical stamina and close attention to detail, and officers have the added stresses of handling life-threatening situations and being in the public eye,' says CareerCast.com.

Stress Rank: 195
Stress Score: 85.350
Unemployment: 7%-10%
Hours Per Day: 9
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: Low

"Commercial Pilots are under pressure to guarantee the comfort and safety of passengers while staying within flight schedules, even when flying in inclement weather. Working irregular hours and on varying routes forces pilots to layover in other cities, leading to frequent jet lag," says CareerCast.com.

Stress Rank: 196
Stress Score: 93.893
Unemployment: 0%-4%
Hours Per Day: 9.5
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: Low

"Police officers face potentially life-threatening situations daily. Shifts can be long and strenuous, especially in emergencies, and work requires both physical and emotional strength. Other possible stress factors include interacting with the public and providing medical attention to injured parties," says CareerCast.com.

Stress Rank: 197
Stress Score: 99.463
Unemployment: 0%-4%
Hours Per Day: 11
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: High

"Surgeons can be required to work at odd hours, and many operations take hours to complete. Operating calls for extreme precision and attention to detail, and can require quick decision making with life or death consequences. In addition, rising malpractice insurance costs are a major cause of stress for many surgeons," says CareerCast.com.

Stress Rank: 198
Stress Score: 100.491
Unemployment: 14%+
Hours Per Day: 9.5
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: Moderate

"Taxi drivers generally work erratic hours, including late nights and weekends. High speed driving in traffic, especially in major cities, is quite dangerous, and they frequently drive in bad weather conditions as well. In addition, taxi drivers are confined to their vehicle all day with a supply of cash, making them vulnerable to criminals," says CareerCast.com.

Stress Rank: 199
Stress Score: 108.625
Unemployment: 0%-4%
Hours Per Day: 11
Time Pressure: High
Competition: High

"This highly competitive field requires detailed knowledge of the financial community, economic trends as well as technological developments and implications. Senior executives are expected to excel in many different fields at once, and face daily pressure to make far-reaching decisions that can affect numerous employees and their company’s bottom line," says CareerCast.com.

Stress Rank: 200
Stress Score: 110.936
Unemployment: 0%-4%
Hours Per Day: 11
Time Pressure: Very High
Competition: Low

"Firefighters frequently work irregular or unusual hours, or remain on call throughout the night. They risk heat exhaustion, smoke inhalation, and serious injury while on the job, and even the state of anticipation preceding a major threat can be highly stressful in itself. Firefighters are also sometimes required to spend long hours outdoors in bad weather," says CareerCast.com.