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
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Why many Americans are caregivers in disguise
Half of Americans don't consider themselves a "caregiver," but new research revealed that some have already assumed the role. That's according to a survey of 2,000 Americans, including 1,000 who are caring for (or have cared for) a senior. For those who have not "officially" cared for a senior, 53% didn't consider themselves a caregiver - despite taking on many caregiving responsibilities. Related content These respondents still do errands for a senior in their life (21%) and provide emotional and mental support (18%) for this older person. Others also make a point to visit with them on a regular basis (16%), clean their home (16%) and provide transportation (14%). Related content Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Comfort Keepers for the National Day of Joy, the survey revealed all these activities fit into respondents' definition of "caregiving." When asked what caregiving means, 58% of respondents said, simply, being available at all times for the person being taken care of. Less important as a definition were - giving care as an occupation (47%), living in the home with the senior (33%) or actually being paid (25%) for the work. And with this broad definition for caregiving, 74% of respondents believe everyone will, at some point, become a caregiver for a senior who is unable to meet their own needs. "Millions of Americans are caregivers in all but name, quietly supporting aging loved ones without recognizing the essential role they're already playing," said Saudia Gajadhar, chief happiness officer at Comfort Keepers. "Our research shows that many people don't identify as caregivers, even as they provide meaningful support, with many expecting to step into that role in the future. At Comfort Keepers, we aim to shine a light on the joy and purpose that caregiving brings to both those who give care and those who receive it." While caregiving comes with challenges, it's also something for people to look forward to: three-quarters (74%) of those who have been a caregiver said it's one of the most rewarding chapters of their life. Ninety-one percent of caregivers said it was an opportunity to bond with the senior they were spending time with, with one sharing: "It's like having another relative. You care for this person for so long and they adopt you." Through caregiving, respondents learned, "there is a friend in anyone, all you need is time to know them." And, "that it is possible to be resilient even when the cards are stacked against you." Caregivers also learned some surprising facts about the people they were caring for. Respondents said the person they care for had experienced more adversity than they thought (33%) and is funnier than the caregiver previously thought (33%). Caregivers also learned about passions and values the person they were caring for had (30%), and realized the person they were caring for lived a more wild, adventurous life than the caregiver ever knew (26%). They shared discoveries that the senior they took care of dated a celebrity, one spoke seven languages and another was a champion ballroom dancer. One respondent learned the person they were caring for was friends with Martin Luther King, while another said the person they cared for was in WWII as a fighter pilot and got shot down - and a third shared "they had a secret double life." "Some feel that caregiving can be a burden, but most caregivers call it a blessing and an opportunity to uncover life's silver linings such as connecting with their loved one, learning family stories, finding purpose and feeling joy," said Sherri Snelling, gerontologist, author and spokesperson for Comfort Keepers. "Our survey shows that when people care for aging loved ones, they are giving support but they are also getting something back – deep emotional rewards, personal growth, and stronger bonds with older loved ones." Related content Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 1,000 general population Americans and 1,000 respondents who are caregivers to a senior/have been a caregiver to a senior in the past (either paid or unpaid and not including general parenting responsibilities as caregiving). The survey was commissioned by Comfort Keepers and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between April 25–May 1, 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 Why many Americans are caregivers in disguise appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Trouble With Having Too Many Friends
We live in a culture that equates popularity with success, where having a bustling social calendar is a status symbol and your friend count is a subtle form of currency. But beneath the surface of all those brunch dates, group chats, and Insta-tagged outings lies a deeper emotional cost that no one really talks about. When everyone is your 'friend,' what does that actually mean for you—and more importantly, who's really there when it counts? The paradox of having too many friends is that it doesn't always mean you're more loved, understood, or supported. Sometimes, it just means you're stretched thin, emotionally overdrawn, and living in constant performance mode. Here's why more isn't always better. The more people you call friends, the easier it is to mistake surface-level interactions for something deeper. Getting tagged in a meme, showing up at the same party, or exchanging DMs can create the illusion of closeness when there's little substance underneath. According to research from the University of Oxford, humans can only maintain around 150 stable social relationships—a concept known as Dunbar's number. But genuine emotional intimacy? That number is far smaller. When you have too many people in your circle, you may feel connected but strangely alone. It becomes difficult to tell who really sees you and who's just orbiting your life out of habit or convenience. That confusion can make you question your gut, blur your emotional boundaries, and leave you emotionally starved despite being constantly surrounded. Friend groups often come with their own energy, expectations, and culture codes. You're one version of yourself with your childhood friends, another with your work besties, and a different one entirely with your wellness crew. When you're juggling too many personas across too many circles, you start to lose touch with who you are at your core. The constant code-switching might feel like adaptability at first, but over time it can erode your sense of authenticity. You may find yourself performing a personality rather than embodying your truth. The more people you try to belong to, the harder it is to belong to yourself. With a large social network, it might seem like support is just a text away—but in moments of real emotional urgency, that's not always the case. A 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center found that while most Americans say they have plenty of acquaintances, fewer feel they have close confidants they can rely on. When you're used to broadcasting your life, reaching out for actual help can feel awkward or even performative. When something goes wrong—your parent's health declines, your marriage is in trouble, or your mental health crashes—you don't need 50 cheerleaders. You need one or two people who will sit in the dark with you without needing a curated explanation. And if your circle is too big, it's easy to realize too late that no one is quite close enough. When your social calendar is overflowing, maintaining friendships becomes less about connection and more about logistics. You're always scheduling, rescheduling, checking in, and apologizing for ghosting someone. It starts to feel like you're the project manager of your own life instead of a participant in it. This admin-level socializing might keep things afloat, but it rarely leads to deeper emotional intimacy. You're so busy keeping tabs on people that you forget to be present with them. When friendship starts to feel like a chore, something's gone sideways. Constant social interaction—even with people you like—can be emotionally exhausting. A study published in Psychological Science found that people experience significant emotional fatigue from continuous socializing, even when it's with close friends. If you're always out, always on, and always accessible, your nervous system is never allowed to fully decompress. You might notice yourself becoming more irritable, anxious, or drained after seemingly fun plans. That's not you being 'antisocial'—it's your body asking for space. True rest isn't just sleep; it's time away from expectation, performance, and interpersonal stimulation. The more people you keep in your orbit, the more likely you are to become the go-to for their breakdowns, breakups, and emotional drama. It feels flattering at first—you're the strong one, the helper, the fixer. But eventually, you start absorbing everyone's baggage and carrying none of your own. When you're always the person others turn to, you may forget what it's like to be held in return. Your empathy becomes a transaction rather than a mutual exchange. That imbalance breeds resentment, emotional fatigue, and a deep sense of invisibility. When you have a large group of friends, you're constantly managing invitations, updates, and birthday dinners. The problem is, the more people who expect your presence, the harder it is to say no. According to a study from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, many people experience 'empathic distress' when turning others down—especially in socially dense circles. So you keep saying yes even when your energy is on empty. You ghost people out of burnout, not malice. And every "yes" that should have been a "no" chips away at your own peace of mind. The larger the friend group, the messier the power plays. Suddenly you're navigating side conversations, micro-exclusions, loyalty tests, and the silent politics of who's invited to what. It's not Mean Girls-level drama—it's subtler, but just as exhausting. You end up spending more time decoding social tension than enjoying actual connection. Even mature adults can revert to adolescent dynamics when the group gets too big and too loud. What was supposed to feel like community starts to feel like competition. Being there for others is a beautiful thing—until it's happening at the expense of your own emotional reserves. When you're trying to show up for everyone, you end up showing up halfway for everyone and fully for no one. That includes yourself. You lose track of your own emotional needs because you're constantly managing everyone else's. And the worst part? You begin to feel like you're failing, even though you're doing far more than most people ever notice. With too many friends, vulnerability can start to feel risky. Who gets to know the real story? Who can you trust with the messy truth—not just the well-edited version? The larger your circle, the more likely you are to default to curated updates and safe disclosures. This self-censorship might protect you from judgment, but it also keeps you emotionally disconnected. You're never quite raw, never fully open. And being liked by everyone can start to feel lonelier than being truly known by just a few. Big social circles often come with big comparison energy. Someone's always doing more, achieving faster, healing better, or living louder. It's a non-stop highlight reel that leaves you doubting your own timing and worth. Even when you're proud of your journey, proximity to so many paths can make yours feel too slow or too small. Your self-trust takes a hit. And the background noise of other people's lives can drown out your own intuition. When you're managing a wide array of friendships, it becomes tempting to present the most palatable, agreeable version of yourself. You filter your opinions, edit your reactions, and soften your edges so you can stay 'liked.' But likability isn't the same as authenticity. Eventually, you may find that you've become emotionally beige—someone who blends in, pleases easily, and feels low-maintenance. But that comes at the cost of depth and self-respect. Being liked by everyone is often a sign you've abandoned parts of yourself. With too many friendships, confrontation starts to feel risky. You don't want to be the one who ruins the vibe or stirs the pot. So you tolerate things that hurt, dismiss things that matter, and keep swallowing small betrayals. Avoiding conflict might keep the peace, but it also erodes the relationship from within. You become agreeable but resentful. And real trust can't grow in a place where honesty is off-limits. A sprawling social network can start to keep you in place rather than push you forward. People get attached to the version of you they first met—and may unconsciously resist your evolution. They might mock your new boundaries, resist your lifestyle changes, or subtly discourage your ambition. The fear of outgrowing your friendships can keep you emotionally stuck. You shrink to stay connected. And even if you're changing, you end up surrounded by people who never noticed. In the rush to maintain constant connection, we forget the quiet magic of being alone. Solitude isn't loneliness—it's sovereignty. It's where you remember your own rhythms, reconnect with your intuition, and process life on your own terms. Too many friends can make solitude feel like neglect, when it's actually nourishment. You need space to hear yourself think, feel, and breathe without a social filter. Your relationship with yourself deserves as much attention as any friendship you're trying to keep alive.
The Onion
10 hours ago
- The Onion
Study: More Single Millennials Settling For Parrot Who Can Dial 911
NEW YORK—Shedding light on the demographic shifts that have transformed the generation's relationships, a Hunter College study published Monday revealed that more single millennials were settling for a parrot who could dial 911. 'We're finding that an increasing number of millennials are forgoing a serious romantic partner in favor of a cockatiel or macaw who can reliably peck out a number for emergency services,' said Sandra Brooks, a co-author of the study, which surveyed 12,000 Americans to determine that far more individuals born between 1981 and 1996 now saw scattering seed on their phone screen to train a parrot as their most realistic option if they wished to experience something that approached companionship. 'Many respondents said they were excited to finally get off the grind of dating apps, and they explained that living with a colorfully plumed tropical bird who could get an ambulance sent to their apartment was, frankly, good enough. Some female participants even felt that they were happier with a parrot than a human partner, given that such birds could trill out a little song and would never ghost them. All the better if they could also screech, 'She's dying, she's dying, she's dying,' to alert a neighbor.' The study added that many millennials who could not easily find a parrot were also perfectly fine with a street pigeon who could mistakenly tap out 9-3-9.
