50 of The Most Dangerous Jobs In The World

There are thousands of professions and careers available to the public, although not all of these are straightforward and harmless compared to other jobs. Many professions around the world require an immense amount of knowledge and precaution to prevent a major disaster. Some of these dangerous jobs spawn from human interest, like discovering deep sea artifacts, while others are a necessity. 

Being a pilot is so dangerous that the Federal Aviation Administration has determined that no one can legally fly a plane after the age of 65, regardless of their health conditions. Pilots are subjected to variable weather conditions, dangerous passengers, and multiple other risks. 

Drilling for oil for a living can have high payouts, but the risk is extremely high, there are long hours, and there are unavoidable day-to-day risks while on the job. To be an oil driller, you must be constantly aware of your surroundings, for most deaths are attributed to falls.

One of the most dangerous jobs in the world is being a firefighter because you risk dying from smoke inhalation or burns when you go to fight a fire even with the required safety equipment. Being a firefighter is an unsafe profession that results in over 60 deaths in the United States every year. 

Taxi drivers risk their lives every time someone pays to ride in their taxicab, whether it be because it could be a criminal or because of the possibility of getting into a car accident. Taxis oftentimes drive around intense cities that are prone to accidents since everyone is in a rush. 

Nurses work in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice situations, so they are exposed to countless dangers every day. Some of these dangers include physical and mental abuse and exposure to deadly viruses and illnesses. Certified Nursing Assistants are some of the most at-risk nurses because of duties such as lifting overweight patients. 

Even though most crane operator deaths are preventable, people continue to die every day due to crane-related accidents. Operating a crane such as the one pictured below is extremely dangerous, and if the crane falls over, the operator almost always dies in the accident. 

Electronic waste is an extreme problem around the world, and people who recycle the waste from our phones, computers, and TVs are at risk when performing the job. The professionals who recycle all of these electronic devices and gadgets are exposed to deadly metals that can cause long-term illnesses. 

Landscape workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world because of how much machinery they work with every day. Landscape workers use dozens of power tools and equipment to build and maintain beautiful structures and gardens, and with this comes many unpredictable dangers while on the job. 

Nuclear power plants are usually built in an area that will foster a community economically and the workers generally do not have any experience when they go to work at the power plant. Since the factory is working with radioactive materials, the employees have an extremely dangerous job. 

Blood-borne diseases and sharp objects are only one of a few dangers that surgeons deal with every day when they are trying to save a life on the operating table. Surgeons perform surgery on a wide array of patients with a plethora of conditions, so they are exposed to diseases, viruses, and pathogens that can put their health at risk. 

Tripping, falling, and slipping are a few of the hazards that truck drivers face when they are not driving down the highway, and loading containers and equipment have also been shown to cause injuries as well in this profession. Along with these risks, truck drivers also face the unpredictability of highways and traffic. 

Farmers operate several types of machinery in various weather conditions which could result in danger if the farmer is not careful. Not only is there machinery involved, but many people and animals are usually needed to perform agricultural tasks, which increases the number of risk factors. 

Greenhouse workers are frequently exposed to toxic chemicals found in pesticides, extreme weather conditions, and injuries related to sharp objects. A greenhouse is arguably more dangerous than a farm because it is an enclosed space that could collapse in on employees. 

In the mental health industry, professionals suffer extreme mental abuse from their patients, whether it be intentional or not, and most professionals in this occupation need mental health services themselves. Not only is this work dangerous because of the mental abuse, but these workers are also exposed to other workplace accidents. 

Demolition workers face severe dangers when they go to work every day because they work with powerful equipment, and there are toxins released into the air when structures are torn down. Oftentimes these workers need to wear masks so that the fine dust and particulate matter doesn't enter their lungs. 

Politicians hold a great deal of responsibility in their occupation, and they generally spend their days advocating for change, attending meetings, and serving the country. The world of politics is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world because of the power and influence that the employees can possess. 

In terms of fatality rates, more garbage collectors die on average than police officers, and there is an endless list of dangers associated with this job. Garbage collectors have some of the most dangerous jobs in the world because of unpredictable traffic, and exposure to needles and toxic chemicals. 

Pictured below is a sewage waste management center, and this is one of the most dangerous places in the world to work. Sewage sanitation systems are necessary for modern-day populations because of the amount of waste that is produced, and employees at these facilities are exposed to multiple risks while working here. 

Crossing guards are responsible for the communities and safety and have one of the most dangerous jobs of all time because of the high-density traffic that they are surrounded by. This local government job is not simple and requires skill to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians. 

Cement masons can easily get hurt on the job because of the equipment they utilize to get the job done. Not only do they have to worry about getting cut or crushed by machinery, but they also need to be concerned with all of the cement dust that enters their lungs when they prepare the concrete. 

Painters have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world because they are exposed to toxic chemicals found in industrial paint, and they also perform their jobs from extremely lofty heights sometimes. Whether they are muralists or basic building painters, painters face risks and many dangers at work every day. 

Being an ice cutter is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, and oftentimes workers don't even go out with warm enough clothing, and therefore run the risk of getting hypothermia or other cold-related injuries while they cut and load up huge blocks of ice. 

To be an astronaut, a person has to have perfect physical and mental health because of how dangerous this job can be. There are strict requirements for astronauts, and this is because they can be severely mentally or physically hurt while on the job, and in more extreme cases, they can die. 

Working with saws, drills, and jackhammers is a hazardous job, and even more so when construction workers work hundreds of feet up in the air. With this, construction workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world because of the equipment that they work with and the locations where they work at. 

Paramedics have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world for multiple reasons, one of them being that they frequently arrive at crime scenes which could put them at risk for a criminal to attack them. Aside from this, paramedics also face the dangers of contracting an illness and abusive patients. 

Working with lions, tigers, bears, and elephants is not for everyone, and in fact, being an animal trainer is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Wild animals can be fairly unpredictable and can change their behavior suddenly, so animal trainers risk severe injuries or death while on the job. 

Carpenters oftentimes work in small spaces with sharp power tools, such as saws and drills, to achieve their work goals and are always at risk for minor and major injuries. Not only do they have to be cautious of tools, but carpenters also run the risk of having structures fall on them while they work. 

Industrial cleaners maintain the cleanliness of large buildings and warehouses, and they have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world because of the cleaners that they use. Not only are industrial cleaners prone to slipping and falling, but they are also susceptible to long-term illnesses because of the chemicals used in the products. 

A mountain guide must be extremely knowledgeable and physically fit in order to successfully guide a group of hikers through the landscape, and without proper education, being a mountain guide could be deadly. One of the most menacing parts of the job is the unpredictable weather and wildlife. 

The lives of highway maintenance workers are constantly at risk when they are at work because of the materials and heavy machinery that they work with. These workers operate cranes, forklifts, and other pieces of equipment that require certifications to operate while on the job. 

Roofers usually wear a durable harness when they are on the job because of how dangerous their work truly is. Roofers work with toxic chemicals to build, replace, and repairs roofs of all types, and they are usually over 15 feet in the air when they perform their jobs. 

Whether they work on small or big engine machinery, mechanics are constantly at risk when they're working. Mechanics face the risks of falling, slipping, or tripping in the workplace, along with the dangers of working with power tools and sharp equipment. 

Dozens of police officers die every year while at work and they have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, especially since their job is to protect and serve the country. Police officers most often die while at work or are severely injured due to gunshot wounds. 

Sulfur is known as "devil's gold," and thousands of people risk their lives every day to harvest this precious element from the Earth. Even though it is useful for society, sulfur is poisonous and sulfur miners are prone to extreme health issues while working with this substance. 

Even though the usage of railroads and trains seems to be fading, there are actually over 34,000 train conductors just in the United States! Train conductors have some of the most dangerous jobs in the world because of their inability to stop the train quickly. 

Soldiers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world because they fight on war fronts and are victims of war crimes in some cases. Also, soldiers are exposed to dangerous guns, explosives, and other pieces of equipment which can put their lives in danger. 

Whether they are a physicist or biologist, all scientists face immense risks every day while they research some of the world's primary issues to attempt to propose a solution. Scientists work with poisonous chemicals and dangerous procedures, and injuries can be common in this occupation. 

Welders have extremely dangerous jobs and have to use extensive protective equipment to ensure their safety while on the job. Despite the safety precautions, welders still have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world because of the circumstances that they are subjected to. 

Civil engineers are the people responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining large structures and buildings. It takes years of training to be a civil engineer, and this is because it can be one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, even when you are an expert. 

There is an obvious danger in being a wildlife photographer seeing that you are taking pictures of animals that could easily kill a human such as bears, sharks, moose, and tigers. Over the past few decades, animal photographers have risked their lives to get stunning photos of wild creatures. 

The ocean is a vast and menacing place, and fishermen are constantly at risk when they go hunting for fish, crabs, and other types of seafood. Arctic fishing can result in hypothermia if the workers were to fall into the water, while other parts of the ocean could be swarming with hungry sharks. 

Working as a butcher or in a slaughterhouse is an extremely high-pressure job that is full of dangerous equipment. Being a butcher is one of the most threatening jobs in the world because of the sharp tools, meat saws, and procedures that are utilized. 

Being a forklift driver is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world because of how heavy the machinery is, and the fact that they only have one set of brakes, which are built into the front of the forklift. In addition to the risky equipment, forklifts are generally operated in busy places with lots of people. 

There are dozens of different types of electricians across the world, and all of them are exposed to some severe risks while they are on the job. Some electricians work on roofs or high ladders which poses a risk, and one of the most dangerous electrician jobs is working on power lines. 

Veterinarians that work with large animals have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world because of the animals that they work with and the procedures that they perform. Animals such as Texas longhorns (pictured below) are already dangerous, but when a vet tries to treat them for an illness, their job can become deadly. 

Universities and city administrations hire tree surgeons to care for the ancient trees that are on the property, and tree surgeons have some of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Oftentimes they climb high into the air with only a harness to work on the trees, which could result in a fatal fall. 

Lumberjacks have one of the deadliest jobs in the world, and in the United States alone, the death rate for a lumberjack is 30 times higher than most of the jobs in the country. Lumberjacks are in constant demand because of the importance of logging to the economy, and every day they handle giant saws and huge trees. 

Working in a stone quarry is an extremely risky job because of the physical dangers that come along with the duties of being a quarry worker. Quarry workers work with huge equipment that could easily cause severe injuries or fatalities, and they have to be exceedingly cautious to be able to stay safe while on the job.

If you have ever gotten bitten by a snake and antivenom was used, the person who obtained that medicine is called a snake milker. To obtain antivenom, the venom of a poisonous snake needs to be gathered, and pictured below is a snake releasing venom for collection.