18 Easy Jobs That Pay Well and Offer Low Stress (2023)

By Publisher
| Last Updated May 5, 2022

Easy jobs that pay well come in a lot of categories since everyone has their own idea of what "easy" really means when it comes to work. Depending on the person, an easy job might be defined by one or more factors such as:

• Low stress levels
• How enjoyable the main tasks are
• Minimal contact with the public
• Few, if any, deadlines or other time pressures
• Minimal criticism
• Physical comfort or few physical demands
• Short hours or no on-call or overtime demands
• Small workloads or lots of downtime
• A lack of critical or life-or-death decision-making
• Low educational requirements
• Little, if any, need to think deeply
• How quickly the necessary skills can be mastered
• Few responsibilities

To examine how easy jobs seem, it helps to know if you're hoping to simplify the physical, mental, or emotional aspects of your work life (or a combination of these). People experience stress in different ways and have different needs in a career depending on their strengths and weaknesses. Following, you'll find easy careers that pay well and can offer simplicity in unique ways.

Wage data is current as of October 16, 2021, and is based on the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program estimates.

18 Easiest Jobs That Pay Well and are Achievable

#	Career	Median Salary	Emotional Ease	Physical Ease	Mental Ease
1	Groundskeeper or Landscaping Assistant	$31,730	Yes		Yes
2	Taxi Driver or Chauffeur	$32,320	Yes		Yes
3	Virtual Customer Service Representative	$35,830	Yes	Yes
4	Phlebotomy Technician	$36,320	Yes	Yes
5	Skin Care Specialist/Esthetician	$36,510	Yes		Yes
6	Optician	$38,530	Yes	Yes
7	Notary Public	$38,720	Yes	Yes	Yes
8	Small Engine Mechanic	$39,050	Yes		Yes
9	Garbage or Recyclables Collector	$39,100	Yes		Yes
10	Personal Trainer or Group Fitness Instructor	$40,510	Yes		Yes
11	Truck or Taxi Dispatcher	$40,980	Yes	Yes
12	Word Processor or Typist	$41,050	Yes	Yes
13	Accounting Clerk	$42,410	Yes	Yes
14	Librarian	$60,820	Yes	Yes	Yes
15	Non-clinical Registered Nurse (RN)	$75,330		Yes
16	Sales Representative for Technical or Scientific Products	$86,650	Yes
17	Systems Software Developer or Tester	$110,140	Yes	Yes
18	Compensation and Benefits Manager	$125,130	Yes	Yes

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(Video) High Paying, Low Stress Jobs! #shorts

Millions of Americans want easy, high-paying jobs that don't cause stress, fatigue, or burnout, all of which are widespread problems. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that about 40 percent of the nation's workers have jobs that come with high or extreme levels of stress. And other surveys and studies have shown that many people consider their jobs as the top stressor in their lives and that no other life stressor is more strongly associated with health problems.

It's clear why more and more people are seeking jobs that are simpler, lower in stress, calmer, and more straightforward. Sometimes in a complicated world, we need a bit of ease and simplicity; and you might be able to find those qualities in your work. Here are 18 easy careers that pay well, ordered from lowest median annual wage to highest:

1. Groundskeeper or gardening/landscaping assistant: If you don't mind work that keeps you physically active, then this type of job might be one of the easiest you can find. From cutting grass and removing weeds to planting and pruning trees, shrubs, and flowers, the work often has a way of decreasing a person's anxiety and creating a sense of connection to the earth.

• Lowest 10%: $10.96/hr | $22,800/yr
• Median: $15.26/hr | $31,730/yr
• Highest 10%: $23.23/hr | $48,310/yr

2. Taxi driver or chauffeur: Do you know all the quickest ways to get from point A to point B in your city? Do you enjoy meeting and chatting with all kinds of different people? Driving a taxi or limousine offers a relatively simple way to make a living. And it's an industry that can also provide easy second jobs to supplement other income sources.

• Lowest 10%: $9.53/hr | $19,830/yr
• Median: $15.54/hr | $32,320/yr
• Highest 10%: $24.51/hr | $50,970/yr

3. Virtual customer service representative: All you really need for this job is a reliable phone line, Internet connection, and computer. All kinds of companies hire home-based customer service reps to take calls and handle basic orders and inquiries. But, relative to many other easy online jobs, this one tends to pay fairly good wages.

• Lowest 10%: $11.59/hr | $24,120/yr
• Median: $17.23/hr | $35,830/yr
• Highest 10%: $27.80/hr | $57,830/yr

4. Phlebotomy technician: If you want a relatively easy medical job, you probably don't have to look any further than this occupation. Once you've mastered the skill of drawing blood for diagnostic testing, donations, transfusions, or medical research, you can enjoy a job that doesn't feel too demanding. Plus, emerging technology could soon make it easier than ever for phlebotomists to find suitable veins in their patients. And this occupation often provides a great way to enter the thriving healthcare industry and gain experience for more advanced positions later on.

• Lowest 10%: $12.83/hr | $26,690/yr
• Median: $17.46/hr | $36,320/yr
• Highest 10%: $24.40/hr | $50,740/yr

5. Skin care specialist or esthetician: This profession involves helping people relax and feel better about themselves and their skin. Since most estheticians tend to facilitate a calm atmosphere for their clients, they also get to benefit from the environment they set. As a result, the work tends to be pleasant and satisfying. Plus, making people feel good can be extremely rewarding.

• Lowest 10%: $10.99/hr | $22,850/yr
• Median: $17.55/hr | $36,510/yr
• Highest 10%: $31.06/hr | $64,610/yr

6. Optician: When people of all ages need corrective lenses for their vision, they will generally work with an optician throughout the process of picking the right contact lenses or glasses. These professionals work with people in a calm environment to find the right solutions for their vision and prescription (from an optometrist). Opticians get to use their experience and professional knowledge to take precise measurements and recommendations. Plus, they don't carry the responsibility of testing or diagnosing.

• Lowest 10%: $12.54/hr | $26,080/yr
• Median: $18.53/hr | $38,530/yr
• Highest 10%: $29.90/hr | $62,180/yr

7. Notary public: In many states, it's easy to get jobs in this field. Even in states with the most stringent requirements, becoming a notary simply involves going through a very short amount of training, passing an exam, purchasing an official state seal, and following proper recordkeeping practices. Then you can get hired to observe and certify that documents (such as contracts, deeds, or government applications) are signed by the people identified on those papers. Job tasks don't get much easier than that.

• Lowest 10%: $12.10/hr | $25,170/yr
• Median: $18.62/hr | $38,720/yr
• Highest 10%: $31.26/hr | $65,020/yr

8. Small engine mechanic: This specialized area of the skilled trades can be an excellent fit for someone who prefers to work hands-on with engines, but on a smaller scale that often is less strenuous than other automotive careers. Small engine mechanics can work in relaxed settings like marinas, golf courses, and dealerships, focusing their expertise on motorcycles, watercraft, and outdoor power equipment.

• Lowest 10%: $13.75/hr | $28,600/yr
• Median: $18.77/hr | $39,050/yr
• Highest 10%: $28.98/hr | $60,280/yr

9. Garbage or recyclables collector: Throughout many regions of the U.S., the field of refuse collection provides good-paying jobs that are easy to get. And the actual work isn't usually very challenging. Many people even find it enjoyable. So it's worth looking into this option.

• Lowest 10%: $11.48/hr | $23,880/yr
• Median: $18.80/hr | $39,100/yr
• Highest 10%: $32.47/hr | $67,530/yr

10. Personal trainer or group fitness instructor: This fun, active profession gives you the chance to work with individuals or groups to improve their fitness level, overall health, and stress management skills. While you might have to work hard to motivate clients at times, the payoff of being part of someone's journey to better health makes this a standout among easy, good-paying jobs.

• Lowest 10%: $10.40/hr | $21,640/yr
• Median: $19.48/hr | $40,510/yr
• Highest 10%: $36.81/hr | $76,550/yr

11. Truck or taxi dispatcher: Scheduling and transmitting assignments to drivers or service vehicles is a pretty simple job. And it's especially easy if you work during an organization's off-peak hours.

• Lowest 10%: $12.77/hr | $26,560/yr
• Median: $19.70/hr | $40,980/yr
• Highest 10%: $32.54/hr | $67,680/yr

12. Word processor or typist: When organizations conduct important meetings, they often record the conversations. But audio and video files aren't as fast or simple to distribute as text. So, word processors, typists, and transcriptionists are often hired by law firms, businesses, museums, and government agencies to transcribe recordings into clear, readable text. As far as easy work-from-home jobs go, this one is among the most straightforward, especially if you're a good typist and listener.

• Lowest 10%: $13.78/hr | $28,650/yr
• Median: $19.73/hr | $41,050/yr
• Highest 10%: $28.48/hr | $59,240/yr

13. Accounting clerk: This job typically involves fairly simple and routine duties such as making basic calculations and posting and verifying financial information. Plus, in many organizations, the workload wanes and ebbs depending on the time of the month, which means that you'll likely experience plenty of slower periods.

• Lowest 10%: $13.01/hr | $27,050/yr
• Median: $20.39/hr | $42,410/yr
• Highest 10%: $30.72/hr | $63,900/yr

14. Librarian: Administering a library, in most cases, is low-stress work that is immune from many of the challenges that people in other professions face. Cataloging library materials is relaxing, and the actual work environment tends to be calm and quiet, which makes other tasks like research and reader assistance pleasant. Plus, job opportunities aren't limited to public or school libraries. Other potential employers include law firms, corporations, museums, healthcare facilities, government institutions, and non-profit organizations. Becoming a librarian generally requires at least a master's degree in library science.

• Lowest 10%: $16.74/hr | $34,810/yr
• Median: $29.24/hr | $60,820/yr
• Highest 10%: $46.85/hr | $97,460/yr

15. Non-clinical registered nurse (RN): Like other medical jobs, it's debatable whether easy nursing jobs truly exist. After all, every nurse has to undergo extensive training and gain experience in clinical work settings where direct patient care is the main focus. But some experienced RNs eventually get jobs that don't involve direct care in clinical environments. For example, some RNs enjoy relatively low-stress work within research settings. And others get to work from home as telephone nurses.

• Lowest 10%: $25.68/hr | $53,410/yr
• Median: $36.22/hr | $75,330/yr
• Highest 10%: $55.88/hr | $116,230/yr

16. Sales representative for technical or scientific products: If you're outgoing and like to travel, this high-paying job might be the easiest one you can get. It mostly involves maintaining professional relationships with people in other companies. Those people often become your friends, and you get to take them out for drinks or nice meals, which your own employer pays for. The selling is usually low-pressure and involves friendly conversations about the needs of existing or potential customers. And it often involves plenty of downtime and little or no cold-calling. The catch is that you generally need at least a bachelor's degree in an area related to science, technology, or engineering. For instance, a biology degree could help you qualify for sales jobs in the biotech industry.

• Lowest 10%: $30.59/hr | $42,820/yr
• Median: $41.66/hr | $86,650/yr
• Highest 10%: $82.55/hr | $171,700/yr

17. Systems software developer or tester: Many people with this occupation enjoy day-to-day responsibilities that involve little or no stress. It's true that you need a strong grasp of computer science and a capacity for problem solving and innovative thinking. But, as with so many other skill sets, having software-development talents at this level can qualify you for jobs that are easy in many ways that might be important to you. It's often a low-pressure occupation that provides the chance to work at home or in a relatively relaxed environment.

• Lowest 10%: $31.35/hr | $65,210/yr
• Median: $52.95/hr | $110,140/yr
• Highest 10%: $81.78/hr | $170,100/yr

18. Compensation and benefits manager: In this occupation, the focus is mainly on developing and overseeing an organization's employee pay structure as well as policies related to benefits such as health insurance, time off, and retirement plans. You need general business knowledge as well as some expertise in human resources and employment law. But people in this profession frequently experience little stress and an undemanding work atmosphere.

• Lowest 10%: $34.10/hr | $70,920/yr
• Median: $60.16/hr | $125,130/yr
• Highest 10%: greater than $100.00/hr | $208,000+/yr

Do I Need Schooling to Qualify for Easy Jobs That Pay a Lot?

You can get a lot of high-paying jobs without a degree, but you might not consider all of them easy. However, the 18 occupations listed above frequently offer comfortable workloads and relatively little stress. We purposefully included a range of required training levels to provide options to those open to getting a degree and those who are only interested in short or on-the-job training.

However, most of the easiest high-paying jobs can only be attained with a college or vocational degree. They require skills and expertise that must be developed through formal education and mastered through practical experience. As a result, they aren't necessarily easy jobs to get.

But these occupations prove that getting an education and mastering a subject or set of skills is often the best way to position yourself for easy jobs that pay well. Once you've achieved mastery over a particular domain, everything starts to feel effortless and fun.

One of the best things about easy, well-paying jobs is that they can sometimes help you make a good living while also leaving you with enough energy to pursue your true passions (which might not pay anything). The trickiest part is finding such jobs. Fortunately, they do exist, even if they aren't always in large supply.

How Do I Find Colleges and Trade Schools Near Me?

Easy jobs that pay well do exist. So think about your own goals for now and the future. What would make a job easy for you? Keep exploring the vocational possibilities and see which ones might match. It's simple to do. Just enter your zip code below to discover nearby schools offering convenient training for all kinds of fun and interesting careers!