OccuPAYtional Hazards: Is Your Job Worth It? [Photo Gallery]

June 28, 2017

How well-paid are the most dangerous jobs?

When we think of dangerous jobs, we often picture the firefighters, police officers and other public servants who keep us safe. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, seven times more workers in the construction trades lose their lives than law enforcement officers.

However, a UK group called Accident Claims Advice (ACA) wanted to further explore this and see which jobs are the most dangerous – backed by data – and whether those workers are financially compensated for taking on such a risk.

Rather than burning buildings or dangerous armed criminals, the most common causes of fatal accidents for workers involve transportation incidents, followed by trips, falls and accidents while operating equipment. Ninety-three percent of fatal workplace accidents are suffered by men, and the age group at the most risk is 45-54 year olds.

You may be surprised to find out that lumberjacks, aircraft pilots and even fishermen all rank highly in terms of danger, yet some aren’t paid particularly well to compensate for this.

A couple of the most interesting findings are:

  • Being a lumberjack statistically is the most dangerous job, with 132.7 fatalities per 100,000, but their pay is relatively low in comparison.
  • Aircraft pilots generally are paid well, but for charter and air-taxi pilots it is surprisingly risky work. There are 40.4 fatalities per 100,000 due to smaller and less stable aircraft.
About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 23, 2025
With the right workplace health and safety training, your organization can reduce risk and protect your employees.
June 23, 2025
This article covers the key steps to build a reliable SDS management program, from organizing your inventory and sourcing updated SDS to ensuring easy access and regular maintenance...
June 23, 2025
It's time to get a bit more granular and start to examine the types of metrics EHS departments should be tracking, starting with lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR).
June 23, 2025
With the number of lone workers on the rise, here are five facts every employer should know about lone working.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!