THE 10 MOST DANGEROUS JOBS IN THE U.S.
Matt Case - December 30th, 2025
WASHINGTON DC - Most of us complain about work stress, but for some Americans, the job hazard isn’t a tough email or a cranky customer — it’s life and death. A new report from Resume Genius ranks the most dangerous professions in the U.S. for 2026, based on workplace injuries, fatalities and whether the paycheck makes the risk even close to worth it.
The study finds that some of the country’s most essential workers — from garbage collectors to loggers and truck drivers — face fatality rates that are anything but normal. Others, like firefighters and police, shoulder high physical risk and emotional stress with salaries that don’t always match the danger. Even high-paying careers like aviation aren’t immune, especially when smaller aircraft and remote routes are factored in.
Here are the most dangerous jobs in America for 2026, according to the report:
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Garbage Collectors — One of the highest fatality rates at 41.4 per 100,000 workers, often from traffic and machinery. The median salary: $48,350.
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Logging Workers — Falling trees and heavy equipment make this job deadly. Median salary: $49,540.
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Roofers — Constant risk of falls and long-term injuries. Median salary: $50,970.
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Truck Drivers — Accident rates remain high nationwide. Median salary: $57,440.
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Firefighters — A mortality rate of 27 per 100,000 and non-fatal injury levels near off-the-charts at 9,800 per 100,000, all for $59,530 a year.
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Iron and Steel Workers — Extreme heights, crushing hazards and burns. Median salary: $61,940.
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Police and Detectives — High stress and real danger, with a median salary of $77,270.
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Farm and Ranch Managers — Machinery accidents and unpredictable livestock keep risk high. Median salary: $87,980.
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Electrical Power Line Technicians — High-voltage systems, high-altitude work; danger pays better here: $92,560.
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Pilots — Commercial aviation is safe, but smaller aircraft raise the fatality rate to 31.3 per 100,000. Top-tier pilots earn the most on the list at $198,100.
In other words: some Americans risk their lives so the rest of us can live ours normally and the paychecks don’t always tell the full story.
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