Top 12 Worst Jobs in America

Top 12 Worst Jobs in America Top 12 Worst Jobs in America Which are the worst jobs to work at? The answer, as with  best jobs lists, is that it depends. What might sound like a horrible job to one person, might not seem so bad to someone else.  There are other factors than the job responsibilities to consider when you’re evaluating occupations. There are jobs that don’t pay well. There are also jobs where the projected hiring of new employees is expected to decline. Health and safety are also factors to consider. Some occupations are much more stressful than others. The risk of getting hurt, or even killed, is much higher in occupations  designated as dangerous. A high-stress job combined with low pay or a poor safety rating isn’t going to be a good option for most people. There are some industries where the job outlook is worse than others and wage growth is low. Everyone’s experience differs, of course, but these are some of the jobs you may not want to consider if you’re exploring career options or a change in your  career path. 12 Worst Jobs Here’s a list of some of the worst jobs in America, in alphabetical order, based on salary, benefits, job opportunities, and worker health and safety concerns. 1. Assembly Worker Assembly workers fit together the component parts of a product or segment of a product using tools, machines, and their hands.   Factors Impacting RatingAccidents and injuries are fairly common in production facilities. Tasks can be very repetitive, adding to the stress level of workers. Jobs are expected to decline by 14% percent from 2016 through 2026 due to increased automation and outsourcing of production to countries with lower labor costs and environmental standards. About the Job: Assembly Worker Job Description     2. Bank Teller Bank tellers assist patrons with deposits and withdrawals, cash checks, reconcile balances, and communicate information about fees, policies and bank services. Factors Impacting RatingBank teller jobs are projected to decline by 8 percent from 2016 through 2026 due to the increase in mobile and online banking and the use of ATMs. Wages are low, averaging about $13.52 per hour and many jobs are part-time without benefits. About the Job:  Bank Teller Job Description 3. Coal Miner Coal miners extract coal from underground mines or participate in strip mining activities. They dig tunnels, operate machinery, transport coal out of the mines, and secure the mines. Factors Impacting RatingA shift to cleaner fuels due to climate change and pollution concerns has limited mining industry opportunities. Health and safety risks due to exposure to fumes, mine collapses, and other accidents diminish the appeal of this occupation. Mine workers are more likely to be killed or to incur a non-fatal injury or illness, and their injuries are more likely to be severe than workers in private industry as a whole, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About the Job:  The Most Common Mining Accidents 4. Farm Worker Farm workers cultivate and fertilize fields, plant and harvest crops, and operate farm machinery. They convey harvested crops to storage areas. Factors Impacting RatingMany farm jobs are seasonal and carry limited benefits and low pay ($11.41 per hour). Consolidation of farms into large, automated operations has limited opportunities with a projected 0% increase in jobs from 2016-2026. Long hours in often unpleasant weather conditions are negative factors for farm workers. About the Job:  Farm Worker Job Description       5. Fast Food and Short Order Cook Fast food and short order cooks prepare meals for patrons of fast food establishments, diners, and other non-premium eateries. Factors Impacting RatingCooks often work long hours and have frequent evening and weekend shifts. Kitchens can be overheated, and burns, cuts, and minor accidents are common. Wages are low, averaging $11.52 per hour and job growth is expected to be only 6% from 2016-2026. About the Job:  Fast Food Worker Job Description 6. Fishing Worker Fishing Workers prepare and maintain poles, nets, and other fishing gear. They catch, extract, and store fish. Fishers unload their catch upon return to the docks. Factors Impacting RatingFishers experience one of the highest rates of fatalities among all classes of workers. They must stay at sea, away from loved ones for extended periods, and withstand adverse weather and sea conditions. Depleted supplies of fish in many waters add an element of uncertainty regarding the success of expeditions. Low pay, averaging $13.72 per hour does little to offset the risk factors associated with this line of work. About the Job:  Commercial Fisherman Job Description 7. Logger Logging workers cut down trees, operate machinery to transport logs, cut logs into desired lengths, and maintain equipment. Factors Impacting RatingLogging jobs are expected to decrease by 13 percent from 2016 through 2026 due to international competition, lands designated for conservation and depleted forest lands. Accidents and job-related injuries are constant threats to worker health and safety. Loggers often work in isolated locations and in adverse weather conditions. About the Job:  Logger Job Description 8. Medical Transcriptionist Medical transcriptionists convert recordings of patient interactions by physicians and other healthcare professionals to written documents. They interpret medical terms and abbreviations. Factors Impacting RatingOpportunities are expected to decline by 3 percent from 2016 through 2026 due to productivity gains and an increase in direct recording of case notes by physicians. Salaries are relatively low, averaging $16.95 per hour. About the Job:  Medical Transcriptionist Job Description 9. Newspaper Reporter Newspaper reporters research and write stories about local, regional, and national events.   Factors Impacting Rating Print media opportunities are expected to decline by 9 percent from 2016 through 2026 due to a shift to online media. Salaries are relatively low, averaging $35,130 per year. Deadline pressure and depleted staffing add to job stress. Opportunities often require relocation to areas that may not be appealing to candidates.  About the Job: Newspaper Reporter Job Description 10. Postal Service Worker Postal workers sort and deliver the mail and assist post office patrons with their mailing needs. Factors Impacting RatingAutomated bill paying and the increase in electronic mail have reduced opportunities to work with the post service. The BLS estimates a 13 percent decline in jobs from 2016 to 2026. Delivery workers must cope with adverse weather conditions, expanded territories, and close monitoring of productivity.     About the Job:  Post Office Jobs 11. Retail Sales Associate Retail sales associates stock and display merchandise, advise customers, promote products, and process transactions. Factors Impacting RatingRetail employees are often asked to work evenings, weekends and holidays. Many positions are part-time and do not carry benefits. Pay is low, averaging $11.24 per hour. Job growth is expected to be lower than average from 2016-2026, only 2%.The rise in online shopping has reduced the number of jobs available at some stores. About the Job:  Retail Sales Associate Job Description 12. Taxi Driver Taxi drivers transport customers to airports and other destinations. They collect fares and conduct conversations with passengers. Factors Impacting Rating Taxi drivers must cope with the stress of traffic and are confronted with the potential danger of accidents. The emergence of driving services like Uber and Lyft have made it more challenging for full-time taxi drivers to earn a good living. Wages averaged only $11.96 per hour in May 2017.   About the Job:  Taxi Driver Job Description Projected growth and occupational data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.