10 Jobs That Cause the Most Illness and Injury

Which jobs are the most dangerous — without being fatal?

If you’re contemplating a career, or even just a part-time job, one thing to consider is an occupation’s rate of injury and illness.

Money Talks News analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is for 2020, to determine which jobs in the private sector have the highest rates of nonfatal injuries and illnesses that involve days away from work.

Read on to see jobs with a track record of the most worker injuries and illnesses.

If you’re more curious about which jobs have the highest rates of fatal injuries and illnesses, check out “The 10 Most Deadly Jobs for 2022.”

10. Licensed practical and vocational nurses

Incidence rate for this occupation: 608.4 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

Incidence rate across all private-industry occupations: 86.9 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

9. Correctional officers and jailers

Incidence rate for this occupation: 688.1 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

Incidence rate across all private-industry occupations: 86.9 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

8. Psychiatric aides

Incidence rate for this occupation: 771.9 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

Incidence rate across all private-industry occupations: 86.9 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

7. Orderlies

Incidence rate for this occupation: 887.8 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

Incidence rate across all private-industry occupations: 86.9 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

6. Psychiatric technicians

Incidence rate for this occupation: 941.8 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

Incidence rate across all private-industry occupations: 86.9 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

5. Occupational therapy aides

Incidence rate for this occupation: 975.0 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

Incidence rate across all private-industry occupations: 86.9 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

4. Nursing assistants

Incidence rate for this occupation: 1,023.8 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

Incidence rate across all private-industry occupations: 86.9 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

3. Athletes and sports competitors

Incidence rate for this occupation: 1,280.5 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

Incidence rate across all private-industry occupations: 86.9 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

2. Welding, soldering and brazing machine setters, operators and tenders

Incidence rate for this occupation: 1,337.6 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

Incidence rate across all private-industry occupations: 86.9 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

1. Dietetic technicians

Incidence rate for this occupation: 3,199.3 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers

Incidence rate across all private-industry occupations: 86.9 injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work for every 10,000 full-time workers