The 6 Most Dangerous Jobs With Low Pay

One might assume that taking a job with an obvious element of danger would lead to high pay and sometimes this is true. For example, UN Ambassadors receive higher salaries when serving in certain countries. But more often than not, those working the most dangerous jobs have salaries well below average. Often these dangerous occupations come with lower pay than most desk jobs. Here is a list of the 6 most dangerous jobs with low pay- all of which provide a salary lower than that of a CPA.



1. Fishermen

With popular shows like “The Deadliest Catch” depicting the treacherous work of fishermen and fishery related jobs, most people are aware that fishing jobs are incredibly dangerous. Data collected in 2011 shows that for every 100,000 fishery related jobs there were over 121 work-related deaths, the most of any job field. Despite this, the average annual wage for the industry is $33,430.

2. Loggers

Another dangerous job with a reality show, “Ax Men,” based on it, logging workers make barely more than fishermen with a median wage of $33,630 per year. The dangers of logging work are obvious, and the rates for injuries are high. Fatalities related to work in the industry are 102 for every 100,000 workers.

3. Truck drivers

Truck driving is another occupation that lands on the list with a reality show showcasing its dangers. Though “Ice Road Truckers” focuses on the particular dangers of cold weather trucking, it isn’t just the truckers who drive over ice that are in precarious positions. Every year there are 24 trucking related deaths for every 100,000 drivers and the long hours and dangerous roads don’t add up to great pay either; the median annual salary for these workers is $34,550.

4. Taxi drivers

With auto accidents being the 5th most common cause of death in the United States, it’s no wonder taxi drivers and chauffeurs have earned a spot on this list. The fatality rate per 100,000 workers is on the low end compared to the others on the list at 19.7, but the pay is also the lowest – a mere $22,820 per year.

5. Garbage and Recycling Collectors

While garbage and recycling collection might not seem like a dangerous job on paper, it is important to remember the heavy machinery and equipment these workers are often tasked with operating. The median salary for this field is $32,930, while the fatality ratio is 41.2 for every 100,000 workers.

6. Roofers

Workplace accidents happen. When your work place is the roof of a home or building, those accidents can be deadly. With nearly 32 deaths for everything 100,000 roofers, the median salary of about $35,000 seems like pennies considering the dangers of the job.

When looking over this list, it is interesting to note that almost all of these jobs are vital to the everyday running and operating of our country. Imagine, for example, a busy city like New York City without garbage or recycling collectors. Or imagine the effect on the economy if there were a shortage of truck drivers to transport goods across the country. Each of the jobs on this list is both vital to our way of life and inherently dangerous. Considering all of this, it is a wonder these six very dangerous jobs offer such low compensation.

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