10 of the most dangerous jobs in America

Advertisement

Construction laborer

Construction laborer

Average annual salary: $36,550

They perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites, and may operate hand and power tools of all types (air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying, and measuring equipment — and a variety of other equipment and instruments). They may also clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials.

Advertisement

Correction officer

Correction officer

Average annual salary: $45,320

They guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. They also guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other points.

Advertisement

Emergency medical technician

Emergency medical technician

Average annual salary: $35,430

They assess injuries, administer emergency medical care, and extricate trapped individuals. They also transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.

Farmer

Farmer

Average annual salary: $69,880

They plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. They may hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation — and sometimes engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

Advertisement

Firefighter

Firefighter

Average annual salary: $49,330

They control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Their duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.

Nursing assistant

Nursing assistant

Average annual salary: $26,820

They provide basic patient care under direction of nursing staff, and perform duties such as feed, bathe, dress, groom, move patients, or change linens. They may transfer or transport patients, as well.

Advertisement

Police officer

Police officer

Average annual salary: $61,270

They maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, State, or Federal laws and ordinances. They perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area, direct traffic, issue traffic summonses, investigate accidents, apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts.

Taxi driver

Taxi driver

Average annual salary: $26,070

They drive cars, vans, or limousines to transport passengers.

Advertisement

Truck driver

Truck driver

Average annual salary: $42,500

They drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. They may be required to unload truck.

Veterinarian

Veterinarian

Average annual salary: $99,000

They diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.

Advertisement