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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Certain occupations in the United States are more at risk than others. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were a total of 5,486 fatal work injuries reported across all industries in 2022. Among these, logging workers emerged as the deadliest occupation in the U.S., with 54 fatal injuries reported that year.
Understanding the hazards associated with these jobs is critical for workers, employers, and policymakers alike. Here's the latest list of the most dangerous jobs in America, as cited by Visual Capitalist, Forbes, and ISHN:
1. Logging workers
- Fatal work injury rate: 100.7 per 100,000 workers
- Number of fatal work injuries (2022): 54
- Average salary (per year): $35,335
- Frequent fatal accidents: Contact with objects and equipment
To provide raw construction materials, loggers work in challenging forest environments with a high risk of accidents. They face dangers from falling trees, heavy machinery, and extreme weather conditions.
Although no higher education is required, loggers do receive pre-service training, especially to operate heavy machinery in remote areas. As the most dangerous job in the U.S., loggers often work in inclement weather.
2. Roofers
- Fatal work injury rate: 57.5 per 100,000 workers
- Number of fatal work injuries (2022): 105
- Average salary (per year): $55,126
- Frequent fatal accidents: Falls, slips, and trips
Roofing is consistently recognized as one of the most dangerous jobs in America due to the inherent risks involved. Working at great heights and in unpredictable weather, roofers are responsible for managing roofs, including installation, repair, and replacement. Physical strength is required, as roofers often handle heavy materials such as metal and shingles during installation.
3. Fishing and hunting workers
- Fatal work injury rate: 50.9 per 100,000 workers
- Number of fatal work injuries (2022): 16
- Average salary (per year): $51,400
- Frequent fatal accidents: Transportation incidents
Fishing and hunting workers use specialized equipment while working in remote and isolated regions, focusing on trapping and catching various land animals and fish. Their work often involves being on boats and using specialized tools, which contributes to the high-risk nature of the profession.
As a result, this profession is one of the highest-risk occupations in America, with transportation incidents being the leading cause of fatalities.
4. Helpers, construction trades
- Fatal work injury rate: 38.5 per 100,000 workers
- Number of fatal work injury (2022): 20
- Average salary (per year): $46,848
- Frequent fatal accidents: Falls, slips, and trips
Construction helpers and laborers support skilled tradespeople and perform labor-intensive tasks on construction sites, quarries, and open-pit mines. Heavy equipment is often used, along with the dangerous nature of working at heights, resulting in a high risk of fatal accidents.
5. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
- Fatal work injury rate: 35.9 per 100,000 workers
- Number of fatal work injuries (2022): 72
- Average salary (per year): $118,512
- Frequent fatal accidents: Transportation incidents
Tasked with flying and navigating a variety of aircraft, pilots face significant risks that make their profession one of the most dangerous in America. Flight engineers, meanwhile, are responsible for monitoring the aircraft's engine and mechanical systems throughout the flight.
Because their work is done above ground, transportation incidents are the leading cause of fatal accidents in this field.
6. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers
- Fatal work injury rate: 30.4 per 100,000 workers
- Number of fatal work injuries (2022): 1,115
- Average salary (per year): $51,039
- Frequent fatal accidents: Transportation incidents
Drivers and truck drivers are essential to the transportation of goods across the country, but their jobs come with significant risks. Long hours on the road expose them to a variety of hazards, with vehicle accidents being the most common. While this job does not require advanced training, drivers may be required to have a commercial driver's license.
7. Refuse and recyclable material collectors
- Fatal work injury rate: 22.6 per 100,000 workers
- Number of fatal work injuries (2022): 31
- Average salary (per year): $40,199
- Frequent fatal accidents: Transportation incidents
As they work on busy streets to keep communities clean, refuse and recyclable material collectors are often exposed to dangers. They drive large trucks across cities and states, making vehicle accidents the most common cause of fatalities.
8. Structural iron and steel workers
- Fatal work injury rate: 21.3 per 100,000 workers
- Number of fatal work injuries (2022): 16
- Average salary (per year): $63,355
- Frequent fatal accidents: Falls, slips, and trips
Workers often work at great heights and in hazardous conditions to install structural iron and steel on buildings. Their tasks range from unloading heavy materials to welding, all above ground. As a result, falls, slips, and trips are the most common and deadly accidents they face.
9. Underground mining machine operation
- Fatal work injury rate: 20.1 per 100,000 workers
- Number of fatal work injuries (2022): 10
- Average salary (per year): $41,738
- Frequent fatal accidents: Contact with objects and equipment
Underground mining involves the extraction of valuable materials such as coal, ore, and rock. Workers navigate intricate underground tunnels while operating powerful equipment, exposing them to hazards. Among these risks, contact with objects and machinery poses a significant threat to their safety.
10. Miscellaneous agricultural workers
- Fatal work injury rate: 20.0 per 100,000 workers
- Number of fatal work injuries (2022): 144
- Average salary (per year): $29,854
- Frequent fatal accidents: Contact with objects and equipment
Miscellaneous agricultural workers are one of the most dangerous jobs in the farming industry in America. These workers are responsible for producing agricultural products and managing livestock and often face numerous hazards in their daily work. The most significant hazards they face are from contact with objects and equipment, resulting in a high incidence of accidents.
Forbes | Visual Capitalist | ISHN
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