As the new year approaches, mental health and well-being are top of mind for more employees than in the past. In fact, I recently reported about the wellness trend that has become the “New Happy Hour,” heading into 2025. So much so that job seekers are eyeing new opportunities that offer a better work-life balance. The Resume Genius’s 2025 Low-Stress, High-Paying Jobs Report compiles 15 highest-paying, low-stress jobs with stress tolerance levels that are lower than average.

The report based its analysis on data from O*NET’s database of Stress Tolerance and filtered out jobs that had a stress tolerance score higher than 60. It also cross-referenced job titles using U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Occupational Outlook Handbook data to ensure the jobs offer a minimum of the national median salary of $48,060 and demonstrate faster-than-average growth.

Top Highest-Paying, Low-Stress Jobs

According to the Resume Genius report, the top 15 highest-paying, low-stress jobs in 2025 are listed below. Each entry includes the median annual wage for that job title, the number of U.S. jobs, projected employment growth through 2033 and the required education.

1. Water resource specialist. $157,740. Number of jobs (2023): 86,300. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 8%. Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree.
2. Astronomer. $149,530. Number of jobs (2023): 23,500. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 7%. Degree needed: Doctoral or professional degree.
3. Actuary. $120,000. Number of jobs (2023): 30,200. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 23%. Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree.
4. Environmental economist. $115,730. Number of jobs (2023): 17,500. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%. Degree needed: Master’s degree.
5. Mathematician. $104,860. Number of jobs (2023): 34,800. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 11%. Degree needed: Master’s degree.
6. Computer systems analyst. $103,800. Number of jobs (2023): 527,200. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 11%. Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree.
7. Fuel cell engineer. $99,510. Number of jobs (2023): 291,900. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 11%. Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree.
8. Remote sensing scientist and technologist. $92,580. Number of jobs (2023): 26,000. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%. Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree.
9. Geographer. $90,880. Number of jobs (2023): 1600. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 3%. Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree
10. Transportation planner. $81,800. Number of jobs (2023): 45,200. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 4%. Degree needed: Master’s degree.
11. Rail car repairer. $61,000. Number of jobs (2023): 22,600. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 9%. Degree needed: High school diploma or equivalent.
12. Taper. $57,010. Number of jobs (2023): 136,600. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 3%. Degree needed: No formal educational credential.
13. Pump operator. $54,690. Number of jobs (2023): 11,700. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%. Degree needed: High school diploma or equivalent.
14. Tire builder. $54,080. Number of jobs (2023): 20,700. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 3%. Degree needed: High school diploma or equivalent.
15. Craft artist. $52,910. Number of jobs (2023): 54,000. Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 3%. Degree needed: No formal educational credential.

“Heading into 2025, prioritizing mental health in the workplace is essential for job seekers to feel more at ease,” says career expert Eva Chan at Resume Genius. “With remote work and hybrid setups becoming the norm, work-life boundaries are increasingly blurred. Our report on low-stress, high-paying jobs shows you don’t have to sacrifice a competitive salary to achieve a healthier work-life balance. With the right role, it’s possible to thrive both financially and mentally.”

A Final Wrap On Highest-Paying, Low-Stress Jobs

Statistics show that over 51% of workers experienced burnout in 2024—a 15% rise from last year, with stress as the leading cause. Although the wellness trend has been around for a while, the trend has gained popularity, partly as an outgrowth of the unwillingness of younger members of the American workforce to pay the price of burnout as a “normal” side effect of hard work.

The new “Winter Arc” TikTok viral trend starts each year on October 1st and ends on January 1st. The trend is a commitment to refocus daily routines and habits before the first of the year. In the final days of 2024, it’s time to focus on our health and wellness goals to start 2025 on the right foot.

More job seekers are including work-life balance and finding the highest-paying, low-stress jobs as part of their wellness goals. “Jobs, where you can leave work at work—are key to maintaining good boundaries and a healthy work-life balance,” Chan points out. She suggest job seekers keep in mind a few things about roles that support a healthy work-life balance. “Start by looking for positions with clear job descriptions, so you know exactly what’s expected of you,” she advises. “Prioritize roles with manageable workloads that won’t leave you feeling overwhelmed. It’s also a good idea to research company policies on remote work, flexibility, and paid time off—these perks can make a big difference. You can also ask about work culture and boundaries to ensure the role aligns with what you seek.”