Emergency physicians and pathologists earn the highest salaries among a group of frightening U.S. occupations, according to a Resume.io analysis comparing job-related risks with federal pay data. The findings suggest that dangerous or stressful work does not always come with higher pay.
Emergency physicians lead the ranking with a median annual salary of $335,550, followed by pathologists at $312,400. Both occupations pay substantially more than the national median salary of $50,980 cited in the analysis.
Outside medicine, police detectives earn the most among the jobs ranked, with a median salary of $93,790. Funeral directors follow at $78,790, while fire investigators earn $75,920. Explosives workers round out the top 10 highest-paying jobs at $61,390.
Medical careers lead on pay
Emergency physicians face high exposure to infectious diseases and serious consequences when mistakes occur. The analysis gave the occupation a score of 100 out of 100 for disease and infection exposure and 98 for the consequences of errors.
Pathologists, who work with disease and death, ranked second for pay. The analysis also reported that the highest-paid 10% of pathologists earn close to $450,000.
Police detectives ranked as the highest-paid occupation outside medicine. Their work received a score of 95 out of 100 for the consequences of making a mistake.
Other occupations face different hazards. Explosives workers scored 96 out of 100 for exposure to hazardous conditions, while mining machine operators received a maximum score of 100 for exposure to contaminants.
The scariest job pays below the national median
Animal control officers received the highest overall fear score in the analysis, at 71.5 out of 100. They scored 90 for exposure to contaminants and faced more bites and stings than any other occupation in the ranking.
Despite these risks, animal control officers earn a median annual salary of $45,660, about 10% below the $50,980 national median cited in the report.
Paramedics ranked as the second-scariest occupation, scoring 97 out of 100 for exposure to disease and infection. Their median salary was $60,600. Emergency physicians ranked third among the scariest jobs, while embalmers placed fifth, scoring 85 for disease exposure and earning a median $58,780 annually.
Pay is only one factor in high-risk careers
Resume.io’s analysis points to compensation beyond base salary as another factor for workers considering these occupations. Hazard pay, overtime and shift premiums can affect total earnings, while experience and certifications may create opportunities for higher pay.
The report also recommends evaluating safety training, employer-funded certifications and advancement opportunities when considering high-risk work. Skills such as staying calm under pressure, making decisions in demanding situations and following strict safety procedures may also transfer to other careers.
