The 10 best paid and least stressful jobs in 2025

As the new year approaches, many people are likely to re-evaluate their work-life balance and seek employment that will provide them with financial security and peace of mind.

On December 16, Resume Genius released its list of the highest-paying jobs that also reported low stress levels. Their study describes “low-stress jobs” as those that generally require fewer demands, more predictable work schedules, supportive environments, and manageable workloads.

In some cases, these jobs also allow for more remote options. Not only are these jobs considered less stressful, but they also pay well.

“Looking ahead to 2025, prioritizing mental health in the workplace is critical to making job seekers feel more comfortable,” said Eva Chan, career expert at Resume Genius .

“As remote work and hybrid setups become the norm, the lines between work and home life are increasingly blurred. Our report on low-stress, high-paying jobs shows that there’s no need to sacrifice a competitive salary to achieve a better work-life balance. With the right role, it is possible to thrive both financially and mentally.

All jobs on the list require the person to have at least a bachelor’s degree. The list was compiled using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and career site O*NET Online. High-stress jobs were filtered using O*NET and then compared to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook with the national median salary set at $48,060 and jobs showing “faster-than-average growth.”

Here are the jobs listed by salary:

Water Source Specialists

Water source specialists earn a median annual salary of $157,740. There were 100,100 jobs in 2023, with an expected growth of 8% over the next 10 years. The only requirement is to have a bachelor’s degree. A water source specialist monitors regional and municipal water supplies to ensure the water is clean and sustainably managed.

Astronomers

Astronomers earn a median annual salary of $149,530. There were 23,500 jobs in 2023, with an expected growth of 7% over the next 10 years. The required education is usually a doctorate or professional degree. Astronomers study stars, planets, and other space-related incidents. Their work is largely based on research in academia.

Actuaries

Actuaries earn a median annual salary of $120,000. There were 30,200 jobs in 2023, with an expected growth of 22% over the next 10 years. The required education is usually only a bachelor’s degree. Actuaries analyze financial risks using mathematics, statistics and other financial data.

Environmental economists

Environmental economists earn a median annual salary of $115,730. There were 17,500 jobs in 2023, with an expected growth of 5% over the next 10 years. The required education is usually a master’s degree. Environmental economists typically work with governments or other organizations to assess the costs and benefits of specific sustainable projects.

Mathematicians

Mathematicians earn a median annual salary of $104,860. There were 34,800 jobs in 2023, with an expected growth of 11% over the next 10 years. The required education is usually a master’s degree.

Computer systems analysts

Computer systems analysts earn a median annual salary of $103,800. There were 527,200 jobs in 2023, with an expected growth of 11% over the next 10 years. The educational requirement is usually a bachelor’s degree. Computer systems analysts aim to help businesses get the most out of the technologies they use, such as software and computers.

Fuel cell engineers

Fuel cell engineers earn a median annual salary of $99,510. There were 291,900 in 2023, with an expected growth of 11% over the next 10 years. The educational requirement is usually a bachelor’s degree. A fuel cell engineer designs, develops and improves systems that generate clean energy for vehicles, buildings and other applications.

Remote sensing scientists and technologists

Remote sensing scientists and technologists earn a median annual salary of $92,580. There were 26,000 jobs in 2023, with an expected growth of 5% over the next 10 years. The educational requirement is usually a bachelor’s degree. Remote sensing scientists and technologists use satellite data to analyze various issues such as climate change and urban planning.

Geographers

Geographers earn a median annual salary of $90,880. There were 1,600 jobs in 2023, with an expected growth of 3% over the next 10 years. The educational requirement is usually a bachelor’s degree. Geographers study the Earth and the distribution of its land, features and people, with their studies used to improve aspects of urban planning and disaster management.

Transportation planners

Transportation planners earn a median annual salary of $81,800. There were 45,200 jobs in 2023, with an expected growth of 4% over the next 10 years. The educational requirement is usually a master’s degree. Transportation planners propose solutions to various transportation-related problems, such as traffic and the need to make cities more bicycle-friendly.