Reading Time: 12 minutes I’m Mad as Hell and I’m Not Going to Take It Anymore: 10 Industries Pushing Workers to Breaking Point
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Work-related stress and burnout are becoming increasingly common across various professions. Many people find themselves questioning if their chosen career path is sustainable for their long-term well-being.
Career experts at PsychologyJobs conducted a study analyzing the average median tenure on LinkedIn to identify the industries facing the highest levels of burnout. The study included over 4,000 companies across more than 400 sub-industries.
These findings are especially relevant given today’s climate of workplace stress. According to the American Psychological Association, 79% of employees have experienced work-related stress. Even more concerning, nearly 3 in 5 employees reported negative impacts of this stress
This article will examine the top industries most likely to lead to burnout, based on their average median tenure. We’ll also provide insights into why these industries are particularly prone to burnout and offer practical tips to help professionals avoid burnout.
Table of Contents
1. Education
Education is the industry most likely to experience burnout, with an average median tenure of 2.88 years. This includes teachers, professors, and trainers in schools, colleges, universities, and training centers.
E-learning providers have an even shorter average tenure of 2.01 years. The e-learning company Udemy in San Francisco has a slightly longer median tenure of 2.8 years.
Stress in education is very common, with a national poll by the Education Week Research Center showing that 60% of teachers find their jobs “frequently or always stressful.”
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2. Technology, Information and Media
The technology, information, and media industry comes in second for burnout likelihood, with a median tenure of 3.41 years. People in this industry change jobs 43% faster than the average across all industries, which is 4.86 years.
This sector includes jobs in software development, data analytics, broadcasting, and telecommunications. Even big tech companies like Amazon and Meta have short average tenures of 2.8 years.
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The quick pace and high expectations in tech likely contribute to the rapid turnover, suggesting a need for better work-life balance in the industry.
Related: Technology Has Made These 36 Activities Obsolete
3. Real Estate and Equipment Rental Services
Real estate and equipment rental services share the third spot for burnout risk, with an average median tenure of 3.91 years. This industry includes roles like real estate agents and equipment rental specialists.
Interestingly, translation and localization jobs have the same burnout rate as real estate agents. There are exceptions, though.
Atlanta’s oldest residential real estate firm, Harry Normans, stands out with an impressive average median tenure of 13.1 years, showing that some companies in this field manage to retain employees longer.
Related: Passive Real Estate Investing – How To Get Started
4. Administrative and Support Services
Administrative and support services also have an average median tenure of 3.91 years, tying with real estate for third place. This category covers a wide range of office support roles.
The relatively short tenure suggests that these jobs, often seen as entry-level or stepping stones, may be more stressful than commonly thought.
The data indicates that people in these roles tend to move on fairly quickly, possibly due to burnout or seeking career advancement.
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5. Retail
Retail comes in fifth place with an average median tenure of 4.06 years. This industry includes jobs in clothing stores, supermarkets, luxury goods shops, and florists.
Some areas of retail face even higher turnover rates. Luxury goods and jewelry have an average tenure of just 2.59 years, while food and beverage retail is slightly higher at 3.10 years.
The constant interaction with customers and often demanding work schedules may contribute to the high burnout rate in retail.
Related: Help Wanted: Industries Struggling To Find Enough Qualified Applicants
6. Accommodation Services
Accommodation services rank sixth, with an average median tenure of 4.36 years. This industry includes roles like bartenders, waiters, caterers, and food truck operators.
The sub industry of bars, taverns, and nightclubs has a particularly short average tenure of just 1.5 years, ranking fifth shortest out of all subcategories in the study.
The often late and irregular hours, combined with the demands of customer service, likely contribute to the high burnout rate in this field.
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7. Construction
Construction comes in seventh place, with an average median tenure of 4.71 years. This industry includes jobs such as civil engineers, builders, and site inspectors.
While the physical demands of construction work are well-known, the moderate placement on this list suggests that other factors, such as job stability or satisfaction, might help balance out the physical stress to some extent.
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8. Entertainment Providers
The entertainment industry ranks eighth, with an average median tenure of 4.79 years. This diverse field includes roles in live events, museums, performing arts, sports, circuses, casinos, and zoos.
The creative nature of many of these jobs might provide some job satisfaction, but the often irregular schedules and high-pressure environments could contribute to burnout.
The variety of roles in this industry suggests that burnout factors may vary significantly between different entertainment subsectors.
Related: 20 Reasons Gen Z Can’t Get a Job, and Why Companies Won’t Hire Them
9. Financial Services
Financial services rank ninth, with an average median tenure of 4.83 years. This industry includes roles in banking, investing, and insurance.
The relatively high position on this list suggests that the pressure of handling money and meeting financial targets takes its toll on employees.
Despite the often high salaries in this sector, the data indicates that many professionals find the stress levels challenging to manage long-term.
Related: 13 Pieces of Bad Financial Advice That Most People Still Believe (According to A CFA)
10. Professional Services
Professional services come in tenth place, with a median tenure of 5.31 years. This category covers a range of specialized jobs, including staffing and recruiting, project management, and legal services.
The slightly longer tenure compared to previous entries might reflect the specialized nature of these roles, which often require significant experience and expertise. Still, the demands of client-facing work and tight deadlines likely contribute to burnout in this field.
Related: 23 Easy To Get Certifications That Lead To High Paying Jobs
11. Hospitals and Health Care
Hospitals and health care rank eleventh, with a median tenure of 5.33 years. This industry encompasses a wide range of roles, ambulance services to dentists and mental health care providers.
The emotional and physical demands of caring for others’ health seem to lead to moderate burnout rates. While the sense of purpose in healthcare jobs might provide some job satisfaction, the long hours and high-stress situations appear to impact long-term retention.
Related: 9 Best Jobs With a Master’s Degree in Nursing
12. Farming, Ranching, Forestry
The farming, ranching, and forestry industry comes in twelfth place, with an average median tenure of 5.46 years. This sector includes various roles related to cultivating crops, raising livestock, and managing forests.
The physically demanding nature of these jobs, combined with unpredictable factors like weather and market prices, likely contributes to burnout.
The slightly longer tenure compared to some other industries might reflect the specialized skills and lifestyle often associated with agricultural work.
Related: 14 Jobs That Pay Decently, But Most People Think They Are Too Good For
13. Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage
Transportation, logistics, supply chain, and storage rank thirteenth, with an average median tenure of 5.82 years. This industry keeps goods moving across the globe, including roles in trucking, warehousing, and supply chain management.
The constant pressure to meet delivery deadlines and manage complex logistics likely contributes to burnout.
The slightly longer tenure might reflect the specialized skills and certifications often required in this field, which can make job transitions less frequent.
Related: 12 Flexible Jobs That Pay $20 an Hour (With Video)
14. Manufacturing
Manufacturing ranks fourteenth, with an average median tenure of 5.83 years. This industry includes roles in production lines, quality control, and factory management.
The slightly longer tenure suggests that manufacturing jobs offer some stability, possibly due to unionization or specialized skills.
Despite this, the physical demands and repetitive tasks in many manufacturing jobs can still cause burnout over time. The mix of job security and workplace stress likely puts this industry on the list.
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15. Oil, Gas, and Mining
The oil, gas, and mining industry comes in fifteenth place, with an average median tenure of 6.35 years. This sector includes roles in resource extraction, refining, and energy production.
The longer tenure in this industry might reflect the specialized skills required and the often remote locations of work sites.
While the physical demands and potential dangers of these jobs are significant, the typically high pay and job security may help offset some of the burnout factors.
Related: 22 Dead-End Careers Expected To Be Gone in the Next Decade
16. Utilities
Utilities rank sixteenth, with an average median tenure of 6.90 years. This industry covers roles in electricity, water, and gas services.
The essential nature of these services and the often regulated environment may contribute to the longer tenure.
While the work can be demanding, especially during emergencies or outages, the stability and importance of these jobs seem to help retain employees for longer periods.
Related: Don’t Pay Monopolies More Than You Need To: Ways To Save On Utilities
17. Government Administration
Government administration has the longest average median tenure at 7.36 years, placing it last on the burnout risk list. This sector includes various roles in public service and government agencies.
The longer tenure might be attributed to job security, benefits, and a sense of public service. While government jobs can certainly be stressful, factors like standardized work hours and clear career progression paths may help reduce burnout rates compared to other industries.
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Tips to Avoid Burnout
Preventing burnout isn’t just about avoiding stress, it’s about maintaining your energy and enthusiasm for your work. When you’re not burned out, you’re more creative, productive, and resilient.
Remember, taking care of yourself allows you to bring your best self to work each day. Here are some effective ways to keep burnout at bay:
Draw the Line: Work-Life Balance and Breaks
Set clear boundaries between your work and personal time to prevent overworking. Make regular breaks a non-negotiable part of your day. These pauses allow you to recharge and ward off burnout.
Step away from your desk, take a short walk, or simply relax for a few minutes. These moments of rest will help you return to your tasks with renewed energy and focus.
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Speak Up: Open Dialogue with Management
Talk to your supervisor about your workload concerns or any stressors you’re experiencing. Many managers are willing to help if they’re aware of an issue. Discuss possible adjustments to your tasks or responsibilities.
This open line of communication can lead to solutions that benefit both you and the company. Your well-being is crucial for your productivity and job satisfaction.
Set Limits: The Power of Saying No
Recognize your limits and avoid taking on more than you can handle. Become comfortable with saying no to additional tasks or responsibilities when your plate is already full. This doesn’t mean refusing all new opportunities, but rather being selective about what you agree to do.
Managing your workload effectively allows you to focus on your core responsibilities and perform them well, without stretching yourself too thin.
Self-Care: Nurturing Your Well-being
Engage in activities outside of work that promote relaxation and well-being. This could include exercise, meditation, reading, or any hobby you enjoy. Make time for these activities regularly, not just when you feel stressed.
Self-care is a necessary part of maintaining your health and preventing burnout. Taking care of yourself equips you to handle work-related challenges more effectively.
Related: 8 Ways to Build More Exercise into Your Workday
Smart Planning: Tackling What Matters Most
Start each day identifying your most important tasks. Concentrate on completing these high-priority items first. Learn to delegate or eliminate less critical tasks when possible. This approach helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed by a long to-do list.
Tackling the most important work when you’re at your freshest leads to significant progress and a sense of accomplishment. This boost in motivation can reduce stress throughout the day.
The Burnout Balancing Act
The data on industry burnout rates gives us valuable insights into the challenges different professions face. While some careers may be more prone to burnout, it’s important to remember that job satisfaction and longevity depend on many factors.
Stay alert to signs of burnout in yourself and your colleagues. Take proactive steps to maintain your energy and enthusiasm. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint.
Prioritize your well-being, communicate openly, and set healthy boundaries. These habits will serve you well throughout your professional journey, regardless of your industry.
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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.