Some jobs inherently carry significant risks due to factors such as hazardous working conditions, exposure to harmful substances, and the physical demands of the tasks.
Unfortunately, work injuries can sometimes be fatal, with the the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recording 5,486 fatal work injuries in 2022.
This graphic visualizes the six occupations in the U.S. with the highest rates of fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers, and their number of fatal work injuries in 2022.
The figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are updated as of December 2023.
What are the Most Dangerous Jobs in the United States?
Some of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. involve significant physical labor and working in hazardous environments, like loggers, roofers, and fishing and hunting workers.
Many of these jobs also are usually done in isolated areas, like logging and fishing, where access to emergency medical attention is limited.
| Occupation | Fatal work injury rate in 2022 (per 100,000 full-time workers) | Number of fatal work injuries in 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Logging workers | 100.7 | 54 |
| Roofers | 57.5 | 105 |
| Fishing and hunting workers | 50.9 | 16 |
| Helpers, construction trades | 38.5 | 20 |
| Aircraft pilots and flight engineers | 35.9 | 72 |
| Driver/sales workers and truck drivers | 30.4 | 1115 |
While logging workers saw the highest fatal work injury rate, over 1,000 truck drivers died due to work injuries in 2022—the most fatalities out of any occupation.
Transportation incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal event accounting for 38% of all occupational fatalities. In 2022, there were 2,066 fatal injuries from transportation incidents, a 4.2% increase from 1,982 in 2021.
