Three of the Hardest Jobs in the World

What qualifies a job as something you’d actually want? The answer to that question is surprisingly subjective. The career that one person would consider their absolute dream job would be far more like a nightmare for another. 

For example, many people would consider a job in an American casino to be nothing short of exciting, even glamorous, while others might take one look at the job requirements and bolt in the opposite direction. It really just comes down to the individual. 

That said, if you’d like more information about the American casino industry, I’d recommend the American Casino Guide. However, a few jobs are so physically or emotionally challenging that virtually nobody wants them. 

Pilot

There is no shortage of stress in the day-to-day life of a pilot for a commercial airline. It involves dealing with weather delays, irate passengers, and the need to be constantly on the run. In addition, the competition in this field is startlingly intense, which can make it challenging to rise from a regional airline to a position with a top carrier. All of this is piled on top of the constant awareness that you’re responsible for the lives of everyone on your plane. That’s a lot of stress. 

Cell Tower Maintenance Worker 

Cell phone service is supplied by transmission towers, which can be anywhere from 50 to 200 feet tall. Unfortunately, all the equipment for these towers is located at the very top. Consequently, the job of a cell phone maintenance worker involves climbing hundreds of feet into the air. 

Once you’ve gotten all the way up, you’ll have to perform a highly technical job involving tools and various tiny parts. The altitude means that there will almost certainly be high winds, even if you’re not high enough for the oxygen levels to be badly affected—and at times, you will be high enough that the oxygen levels drop. On top of all that, sometimes the towers will randomly be struck by lightning, even on days there’s no cloud cover.

Loggers

Loggers harvest wood for construction purposes and consumer needs. It sounds like a pretty straightforward job, and it is—but it’s also among the most dangerous. If the equipment used for log-cutting malfunctions or the operator makes a mistake, injury and even death may result. 

Even if there are no issues with the equipment, there’s still a risk that the tree you just cut will land on your head. Unfortunately, loggers often work in isolated areas and bad weather, so help may be difficult to find if an accident occurs. All of this combined leaves us with an appallingly high fatality rate for loggers.