5 Alternatives to Jobs With the Highest Burnout Rates — Earn a Better Paycheck With Less Stress
Written by
Sean Bryant
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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A recent Deloitte survey found that 42% of people leave their jobs because of feeling burned out. Does this surprise you? Burnout can lead to stress, anxiety, workplace resentment and physical side effects, like high blood pressure and frequent illnesses — even if you’re making good money.
Research by LinkedIn uncovered the five types of jobs with the highest burnout rates: program and project management, healthcare services, community and social services, quality assurance and education.
If you are currently employed in any of these areas, you might be feeling burned out. Here’s a look at how you can earn a better paycheck with less stress in each of these five categories.
Program and Project Management
Program and project managers are in high demand, with an estimated 25 million people needed in these roles by 2030. One of the most common factors contributing to burnout in this industry is inadequate support.
With project managers making an estimated $136,438 per year, it can be difficult to leave your position, but one alternative is to become a project management consultant. Not only can you set your own hours and schedule, but the pay is higher, at an estimated $152,458 per year.
Healthcare Services
Healthcare services is another industry with a high burnout rate. In fact, 50% of nurses leave the profession within two years, Nurse.org reported. Registered nurses earned an average annual wage of $86,070 in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
One alternative with a better work-life balance and pay is to transition to a private practice. Private practice nurses make an average annual salary between $85,000 and $117,000.
Community and Social Services
Community and social service jobs have high burnout rates due to limited control over work results. It’s not uncommon to spend hours on a project or case just to have the outcome the opposite of what you intended.
With a median annual wage of $52,000 in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you might decide to leave your position and secure a higher salary. If you like doing good in your community, consider joining a nonprofit as a program director. This position pays an average salary of $89,993 per year and can be secured with a background in community and social services.
Quality Assurance
Quality assurance can be an emotionally taxing job, increasing the burnout rate. Quality assurance employees earn an average annual salary of $63,816, which may be higher, depending on your industry.
Making one small change and switching to a compliance manager position unlocks better pay and an improved work-life balance. Expect to earn an average annual salary of $98,011 per year. Many of your skills, like leadership abilities and attention to detail, will transfer over to your new role.
Education
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2018 that an estimated 270,000 teachers would leave the profession each year between the time of the study and 2026. Teachers are often underpaid and overworked, leading to high burnout rates.
With the average annual pay for a teacher being $55,086, consider becoming a private tutor. As a private tutor, you can set your own schedule, take on the projects you want, and earn a higher salary. The average pay for a private tutor is $74,944 per year.
Editor’s note: Unless otherwise stated, salary information was sourced from Glassdoor and is accurate as of Dec. 30, 2024.
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