According to a new survey of research by the University of Wisconsin for CareerCast.com, seamstresses, jewelers and hairstylists are among the least stressed-out in the workforce. The jobs website used metrics such as travel, deadlines, physical demands, industry outlook, and risk to one’s life to determine which occupations were the least stress-inducing.
Unlike the most tense jobs (enlisted army personnel, firefighter and commercial airline pilot were among the top 5), these have notably lower safety risks and involve a higher level of artistic creativity. CareerCast.com also noted that they tend to have fewer physical demands than most other careers and a more peaceful work environment, albeit a lower median salary.
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Though university professor was ranked the least stressful job (largely due to tenure track job stability and lack of responsibility for others’ health), seamstresses, jewelers and hairstylists’ respective second, fourth and eighth place rankings were the result of a variety of factors, such as these:
-Seamstresses and tailors require strong attention to detail for each job, but can also work creatively and consistently see the fruits of their labor. Working directly with clients allows them to personalize designs to satisfy their needs, allowing for positive feedback. Most also work in a peaceful atmosphere, which allows them to focus (median salary: $25,850)
-Jewelers work privately in workshops and behind the scenes in jewelry stores or publicly as entrepreneurs with their own outlets. Both avenues have opportunities to buy and sell precious metals, in addition to rewarding creative and technical aspects. High-profile jewelers like Harry Winston draw in millions of dollars a year and can collaborate with a range of companies or clients for highly stimulating work (median salary: $35,170)
-Hairstylists work in largely fast-paced environments, with high customer turnover that allows for constant human interaction and diversity of tasks. According to CareerCast.com, the field promotes creativity, and despite low salaries, it is funded largely on often generous gratuities. There is also significant room for growth: stylists like Vidal Sassoon and Paul Mitchell have built lucrative brands based off of their innovative cuts and high-quality products (median salary: $22,500)
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