Top 20 toughest jobs in America
Construction workers, firefighters, military personnel and doctors - these are the "toughest jobs in America," according to a new survey.
The poll included 2,000 Americans (1,000 of whom are trade workers), asking respondents what they believe the "toughest" jobs are and what comes to mind when they think of "tough jobs."
Police officers ranked No. 5, followed by EMTs and astronauts.
While some listed unique professions, others shared descriptors of what makes a job challenging, like "solving other people's problems all day with little to no help," "constantly making quick decisions and being stuck in stressful situations daily" or "something that pushes my physical and mental limits."
Commissioned by Bosch Power Tools and conducted by Talker Research, the survey revealed that, whether or not they fit into those specific categories, 40% of employed Americans believe their job is hard. Trade workers were more than twice as likely to grade their job as difficult (50% vs. 21%).
One in five employed respondents - both within and outside of the trades - emphasized the grit that goes into their daily responsibilities, believing that you need to be "extremely tough" to do their job.
A majority of respondents admit that trade workers are, on average, tougher than non-trade workers (72%), and 81% of all surveyed don't think trade workers get enough credit for the work that they do.
Despite not getting enough credit, those who are not actively in the trades would still consider pursuing them.
Nearly half (49%) of the non-trade respondents said that they would be open to doing trade work as a career and 68% of respondents who didn't have access to trade skills courses (wood shop, mechanics, etc.) in high school said they would have enrolled if given the option.
Additionally, the results found that 43% of those who are not currently in trade work have done it in the past and would do it again (70%).
As trade work continues to grow in popularity, nine in 10 respondents would encourage younger Americans to consider a trade job for a career opportunity (88%).
"Pursuing a career in the trades offers a variety of benefits with hands-on experiences that cultivate practical skills and provide a lifelong sense of purpose," said Robert Hesse, regional president of Bosch Power Tools in North America. "Just like any job, being a trade worker has its challenges, but in a world of shifting industries, the skilled trades remain a reliable and rewarding path for more and more Americans."
Trade workers shared some words that they want the public to know about them or their work - such as "without trade workers, non-trade jobs wouldn't be available," "you can earn a decent living working in the trades without having to spend a bunch of money on a college degree" and "it takes more than physical strength. You have to be smart and problem solving."
From their time on the job, trade workers agree that jobsite safety is of the utmost importance.
Ahead of Construction Safety Week, trade workers want to see more support from their employers to improve jobsite safety, including making sure everyone knows how to use equipment (32%), receives safety training (28%) and emergency training for when the unexpected happens onsite (27%).
In fact, over half of trade workers have had up to four "close calls" while on the job in the past year (57%).
Of those who have experienced a close call in the past year, 31% of trade workers have prioritized their wellbeing and left a job or worksite because it felt unsafe.
As a result, risk assessment (27%) and promoting a culture of safety (26%) are also areas that trade workers would want to see improvement from their employers.
"In the trades, every task carries weight - and so does every safety step," said Hesse. "Wearing your safety gear, using tools and equipment correctly, following protocols and staying alert isn't just about rules; it's about making sure you get home safe and healthy. Safety is the foundation of every successful trade. By committing to safety, you honor the craft, protect your future and set the standard for excellence in one of the most essential - and tough - professions."
THE TOUGHEST JOBS IN AMERICA
Firefighter - 48%Construction worker - 44%Military - 38%Doctor - 38%Police officer - 37%EMT or paramedic - 35%Astronaut - 32%Farmer - 29%Air traffic controller - 29%Oil worker - 25%Nurse - 18%Roofer - 16%Electrician - 16% [TIED]Home builder - 16% [TIED]Engineer - 15%Pilot - 14% [TIED]Teacher - 14% [TIED]Lawyer - 13%Carpenter, woodworker or cabinet maker - 12%Drywall/plaster installer - 12%
WHAT DO TRADE WORKERS WANT OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT THEM/THEIR WORK?
"We work hard so people can enjoy their land, homes.""We represent the ideal that your skills and ability represent who you are and what you can do, not some piece of paper.""Without trade workers, nontrade jobs wouldn't be available.""Trade workers should be respected because they do work behind the scenes that none of us want to do.""That you can earn a decent living working in the trades without having to spend a bunch of money on a college degree.""They deserve just as much respect as any other job.""They maintain the things you love and use every day. They build the things that bring you daily comfort no matter the conditions.""That a tradesman may not have a degree, but it makes him no less valuable than the next guy because his trade takes years to learn and is worth just as much as the doctor if having something fixed or built is what makes you feel better.""It takes more than physical strength. You have to be smart and problem solving.""It's an alternative choice for those who feel they are not college bound or do not want to go to college. They can still have a fairly good life and career. There are many different areas of the skilled trades to choose from."
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 1,000 general population Americans and 1,000 American trade workers; the survey was commissioned by Bosch Power Tools and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between April 8 and April 17, 2025.
We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are:
Traditional online access panels - where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentiveProgrammatic - where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in
Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan.
Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value.
Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample.
Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes:
Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once
It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access.
The post Top 20 toughest jobs in America appeared first on Talker.
Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Four Juneteenth celebrations taking place in Vermont
VERMONT (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermonters across the state will be gathering together to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, but it has been traditionally celebrated among African-Americans in the U.S. since 1866, shortly after Emancipation and the Civil War. Vermont was one of the first states to abolish slavery in 1777, before it became part of the U.S.. Juneteenth: The long road to becoming a federal holiday The City of South Burlington will hold its celebration on Thursday, June 19 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Park. The events will include a craft fair and music, and the city says it will be 'highlighting BIPOC food vendors and business owners as well as BIPOC-focused non-profit organizations'. Winooski is holding its 'Juneteenth Block Party' in Rotary Park on Friday, June 20. The event is scheduled from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.. Burlington's Juneteenth festivities will take place on Saturday, June 21 from 2:00 to 10:00 p.m., with celebrations on Church Street and in City Hall Park. City mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak welcomed the public to the event, calling it 'not just a commemoration of freedom, but a powerful statement of our commitment to racial equity and social justice in the City of Burlington.' Will you be getting mail on Juneteenth? Hartford, together with Bethel and Lebanon, New Hampshire, will also be holding their celebration on Saturday, June 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Lyman Point Park. The town is welcoming speakers including Vermont state senators Kesha Ram Hinsdale and Joe Major, and New Hampshire executive councillor Karen Liot Hill. More events may still be announced. Cities across Vermont including Rutland and Essex have held events in the past, and more information may be found on your community's website or social media page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kentucky sitting near bottom of rankings in environmental protection: Study
KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — A recent study showed that the U.S. produces over 292 million tons of waste annually, and Kentucky is one of the primary culprits. According to a SmileHub study, Americans produce more than 4.9 pounds of waste per day. SmileHub claimed that over 50% of Americans worry about the toxic waste pollution of soil and water sources. The study compared 50 states across three key factors: environmental protection, energy consumption and waste disposal, and emission and pollution contributions. The charity locating website said that Kentucky doesn't work as hard as other states in limiting its pollution. Kentucky sitting near bottom of rankings in environmental protection: Study Corydon man dead after deputy-involved shooting Longtime Kentucky representative, coach, educator dead at 85 In the study, SmileHub found that, after comparing all 50 states, Kentucky ranks 47th overall in environmental protection, only being outpaced by Kansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia. With a total score of 33.60, Kentucky ranks: 39th in environmental protection per capita 42nd in share of state land designated for parks and wildlife 37th in energy efficiency 41st in total tonnage of landfill waste per capita 31st in industrial toxins per square mile Regarding Kentucky's green initiatives, the Bluegrass ranks 42nd in share of population using green transportation, which is contributing to its overall rank of 20th in terms of vulnerability to climate change, the study found. Read more of the latest Kentucky news SmileHub data claims the overall top-ranking states in terms of environmental protection are California, Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and Vermont. As for overall scores in the study, the top five performing states are California, Washington, New York, Vermont, and Maryland. While Louisiana, West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, and North Dakota scrape the bottom of the barrel, according to SmileHub. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Most Popular Pasta Shapes in Every State — And It's Not All Spaghetti
A new map of America's pasta preferences is stirring the pot—literally. Inspired Taste just dropped a state-by-state breakdown of the most searched pasta shapes across the U.S., and while spaghetti still holds the national title, the local picks get way more interesting. We're talking regional loyalties to rigatoni, cult followings for fettuccine, and one surprising state that gave rotini the majority of its vote. And sorry to elbows—no state gave the mac-and-cheese classic their top spot. Regardless it's fresh pasta or dried, here's what stood out. Idaho: Rotini Rules With 44% of Idahoans choosing rotini, the Gem State showed the strongest loyalty to any pasta shape nationwide. It makes sense: rotini's spiral shape is a red sauce magnet, ideal for hearty meat sauces or creamy ranch pasta salads—two staples in cold-weather comfort food culture. Both states crowned rigatoni as their favorite—a tube-shaped pasta known for its ridged exterior and sturdy structure. It's a natural pick for baked pasta dishes and rich Southern-style casseroles, offering plenty of bite and sauce-holding power. These states might not seem similar on the surface, but all three share a love for fettuccine. Long, flat, and famously paired with Alfredo sauce, fettuccine holds up well to cream- and seafood-based sauces, both of which are popular in coastal cuisines. The Great Elbow Snub Elbow macaroni—despite ranking #4 overall—wasn't the top pick in any single state. A surprise, considering its role in iconic dishes like mac and cheese and pasta salad. It's beloved, but not enough to be anyone's number one. Orzo and Angel Hair: Least Loved Nationwide At the bottom of the barrel? Orzo and angel hair, with 18% of respondents naming them their least favorite pasta types. Orzo's rice-like shape can be confusing to some eaters, and angel hair often gets knocked for turning mushy too fast. National Winner: Spaghetti Still Reigns Despite all the regional quirks, spaghetti held onto its crown as the country's favorite shape, topping the list in 20 states. Its classic status and versatility make it a crowd-pleaser—equally at home in a quick weeknight dinner or a long-simmered Sunday sauce. Pasta is more than just pantry stock—it's identity food. The shape you reach for reflects how you cook, what you crave, and what recipes feel like home. A box of penne might mean baked pasta passed down from grandma. Spaghetti might mean Tuesday night comfort or a go-to cheap dinner. And that state loyalty? It says a lot. New Jersey going hard for penne? Feels on brand. Idaho's love for rotini? Unexpected but kind of charming. These picks reveal little snapshots of how Americans really eat. How to See Your State's Pick Check out the full pasta shape map at Inspired Taste or search your state's breakdown online. Then look at your pantry—are you in the pasta majority or marching to your own noodle beat? Whether you're team spaghetti or flying the rigatoni flag, there's no wrong answer—just more excuses to boil some water.