Breaking Point: 17 Industries That Are Pushing Workers to the Edge

Stress and exhaustion linked to work are becoming more common in different jobs. Many people are starting to wonder if their career choice is good for their long-term health and happiness.

Experts at PsychologyJobs looked into LinkedIn data to check how long workers stay in their jobs on average. They studied over 4,000 companies across more than 400 types of industries to find where burnout is most severe.

This information matters a lot today, as workplace stress is a big issue. The American Psychological Association says 77% of workers have felt stressed because of their job. Even worse, nearly 3 out of 5 workers said this stress has harmed them in some way.

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. 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.”

Technology, Information and Media

The tech, information, and media field ranks second for burnout risk, with people staying in their jobs for an average of 3.41 years. Workers in this field switch jobs 43% faster than the overall average of 4.86 years across all industries.

This field includes roles like software developers, data analysts, broadcasters, and telecom workers. Even major tech companies such as Amazon and Meta have short average job stays of just 2.8 years.

The fast pace and high demands in tech likely lead to this frequent job turnover, pointing to the importance of improving work-life balance in the industry.

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.

Administrative and Support Services

Administrative and support services have an average median tenure of 3.91 years, which is the same as real estate for third place. This category includes many office support jobs.

The short time people stay in these jobs suggests they might be more stressful than people think. They are often seen as jobs to start with or move up from.

The data shows that people in these roles often leave quickly, possibly because they get tired of the work or want to advance their careers.

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.

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.

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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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.

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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.

Professional Services

Professional services are tenth, with a median tenure of 5.31 years. This group includes many specialized jobs like staffing, project management, and legal services.

The slightly longer time in these jobs might be because they need a lot of experience and skill. But working with clients and meeting tight deadlines can also cause stress in this field.

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.

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.

Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage

Transportation, logistics, supply chain, and storage come in thirteenth place, with people staying in their jobs for an average of 5.82 years. This industry helps move goods around the world, including jobs in trucking, warehouses, and managing supplies.

The need to meet delivery deadlines and handle complicated logistics probably causes stress.

The slightly longer time people stay in these jobs might be because they need special skills and certifications, which can make it harder to switch jobs.

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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Oil, Gas, and Mining

The oil, gas, and mining industry ranks fifteenth, with an average median tenure of 6.35 years. This sector involves jobs in extracting resources, refining, and producing energy.

The longer time people stay in this industry might be due to the special skills needed and the often distant work locations.

These jobs are physically tough and can be dangerous, but the usually high pay and job security may help reduce some of the stress.

Utilities

Utilities are sixteenth, with an average median tenure of 6.90 years. This industry includes jobs in electricity, water, and gas services.

These services are very important, and the rules that govern them might help people stay in their jobs longer.

The work can be tough, especially during emergencies or when services are down. But the stability and importance of these jobs seem to keep employees working for longer.

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:

Speak Up: Open Dialogue with Management

Talk to your supervisor about your workload or any problems you’re facing. Many managers want to help if they know there’s an issue. Discuss changes to your tasks or duties.

This open communication can lead to solutions that help both you and the company. Your well-being is important for your productivity and job happiness.

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.

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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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.

Self-Care: Nurturing Your Well-being

Do things outside of work that help you relax and feel good. This can be exercise, meditation, reading, or a hobby you like. Make sure to do these things often, not just when you’re feeling stressed.

Taking care of yourself is important for staying healthy and avoiding burnout. When you take care of yourself, you can handle work problems better.

The Burnout Balancing Act 

The data on industry burnout rates helps us understand the challenges different jobs face. Some careers might be more likely to cause burnout, but remember that job happiness and success depend on many things.

Watch for signs of burnout in yourself and your coworkers. Take action to keep your energy and enthusiasm high. Your career is a long run, not a quick dash.

Put your health first, talk openly, and set good limits. These habits will help you throughout your career, no matter what industry you’re in.

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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.