What are the Most Dangerous Jobs?

People are fooled by how dangerous most firefighter jobs are, hot shots excluded. Who goes to work to sleep and some fight a fire? Very seldom besides a garbage container. I know several firemen. What a joke job.

@anon153393: Why is it "hyped" more when police, fire or military are killed? Yes, they chose the job. They chose the job to serve you and keep you safe and you question that. Sheesh.

I know it's difficult for someone so anti-government to believe, but there are actually men and women who join those forces to make this world and the people who live here safe. That's pretty important in my book and I will stand at attention when that flag is lowered to half mast in their honor. They have given their life to protect someone else -- maybe you.

Well you all are fussing over firefighters. Just so you all understand, there are two types of firefighters, structure and wildland. I have been on a forest service hotshot crew for five years now. If you think we are lazy. do a little research about hotshotting! We get paid crap!

Also, if timber falling is the most dangerous job, how about a sawyer on a hotshot crew? Not only am I working 16-24 hour shifts (and by working, I don't mean sitting in the fire hall waiting for a call), but I am packing all 72 pounds of my gear in the thickest, nastiest terrain in the country, where some rich idiot thought they would build their home, and falling burning trees. How a bout some props for the guys who sleep in the dirt to protect your butt?

I work as a laborer in road side construction, the job is dangerous but nothing too bad. I get a little adrenaline rush when I get out of the truck in high speed traffic with adverse weather conditions, and very low visibility. The way I look at it though, if I die, I die. If I get injured, I sue the jerk, party it up and play russian roulette with myself.

OK as far as the tree trimmers especially the line clearance guy your either dumb or crazy for doing it. I know I'm one of them retards but I like the job. It is dangerous, of course. There are electrical lines and stress in the mix. It's never really safe. Anything could happen as far as any other job. I can't tell you I don't do them.

How about my job, car racing instructor? I have to instruct anyone of any skill level in real racing cars. Speeds over 140 mph with the novice in control.

The difference between a firefighter's death and the others is the fact that most of the other deaths are accidents that occur due to the person's fault.

Go back and look at most of the statistics to the fatalities. Most of them involve transportation or better said motor vehicle accidents.

When a firefighter dies, it usually involves him actually entering into a life threatening environment. It involves him going where others would not dare to go. There is a difference!

Police and firefighters have a good gig. They knew the risks when they signed up.

Not the most dangerous jobs or even in the top ten. They just have better PR than the rest of the world. If a roofer dies nobody flies a flag at half mast. Is his life worth less than a fireman?

No waiting list to get any job that is in the top 10, but always a waiting list to be a public employee. Must be because of the high pay and PR dept.

Sorry guys. Even though we all appreciate the risks you take to protect and serve, the fact still remains that it is by far not the most dangerous job going. Perceived danger is just that. Yes, even though you may be at a much greater risk of getting shot on the job than say, a logger or a fisherman, it doesn't matter what it is that kills you.

A fisherman has much greater risk of drowning than you do. A logger has a much greater risk of getting hit by a tree than you do. Let's face it: if you put the perceived danger of the job away and understand that it doesn't matter whether you drown or get hit by a tree or are shot. When you're dead, you're dead. At that point it doesn't matter much how you got there. The perception that death is somehow more dangerous by a gunshot than it is by a tree is ludicrous to say the least.

How is personally witnessing a fire fighter being burned to death any more tragic than witnessing a fisherman disappear into the ocean and never come back or watch a logger get decapitated by a tree? It isn't. What other occupation puts you at risk of being killed by other people? Driving a truck comes to mind. Statistically most fatal truck accidents are caused by the other driver and not the tractor-trailer driver.

Most police and firefighters understand the risk and choose the job because they want it. But the fact remains it is by far the most dangerous job and it's not because the deaths aren't reported the same way. It's simply because there are a lot more dangerous jobs out there than being a cop or a fireman. Not every criminal has a gun and although none of them want to go to jail and we all know it's not just you trying to put them there.

Last time I saw an altercation there was one bad guy and eight cops that responded. Now don't get me wrong. That's the way it should be, but facts are facts, and perceived danger is just that. A perception and any real cop or fireman will tell you that. The glory hounds are the ones repeating the rhetoric.

i understand that police officers and fire fighters work very hard and put their lives on the line on a daily basis, but the last time i checked you go through an extensive amount of training prior to actually being in the line of duty. Am i correct in saying this?

Well now, I'm from the boonies and I've been around logging and deep sea fishermen. You know what the difference between them and you is? They have the guts to throw on a jumpsuit or safety harness and jump right in with little to no training except the stories that they have heard, so hands down, and i mean hands down, i think that these men and women are harder-working and more deserving people of my respect than you.

And to the cop who said you separate the good and bad people, what makes you so high and mighty to say someone is a bad person? Are you so much better because of your badge and gun? You can't demand respect; you must earn it.

You really want to say your job's so hard as a police officer, then your next weekend off, look up a logging company and set up two solid days of work. I guarantee you won't move for a week. P.S. don't eat donuts beforehand -- you'll puke 'em up, guaranteed.

Everyone thinks they have the most dangerous job. The fact is that timber falling, fishing and a few others are ranked at the top for a reason.

If you are a fire fighter, police officer, or someone else who thinks their job is the most dangerous, go work as a timber faller or fisherman for a year and if you come back alive and with all of your body and limbs still working, then let us know what you think.

@anon121477: I guess you work for a two-officer department. Come and try to work for the big city, Barney.

Before I get started, I want to thank everyone who has a job on this list and those of you who don't. I'm not trying to downplay anyone. I'm a police officer and have been for seven years.

Throughout my service, I have been shot at and stabbed. I have been in numerous physical altercations. I have never seen anyone who wants to go to jail, but we still have to put them there by whatever means necessary.

There are two parts of society: the good and the bad, and we are the ones who separate that. We are the ones that have to deal with the most violent animals (people) every day. Murderers, rapists, dope dealers, etc. Do you think these people want to go to jail? No. Life is like a game to these people and they don't care if they lose their life. Hell, they don't really care about anything.

There are a lot of things that go on in the background, as well. If there is a life in danger we must take whatever chance we can to save it, even if we lose ours in the process – no matter what. The word fear is not in our vocabulary.

Most of you work a set schedule. We work 24-7. Last week I was in a store and ran into a guy whom I put in jail. I was with my wife and kids. This guy stated that he was going to kill me. I'm not going go into detail, but I hope you see my point. I'm sorry that I don't think tree trimming or flying a plane is more dangerous than law enforcement, but I don't.

Oh, and try making a marriage work an try explaining to your kids why you can't make a ball game and try telling your wife you have to leave at all hours of the morning to go to work. I love law enforcement and I realize the risks, but every day I will put on my badge and gun and go to work.

Do you know why? Because there are very few people in this world who will and/or can. If you are a police officer you understand it's a thankless job but I love it and I always will. Now I challenge whoever made this list: go to your local sheriffs department or police department and become a reserve deputy or police officer and walk one shift in our shoes. Then you have the right to form an opinion on law enforcement officers, but not until then.

More people die on the roads than any other job - so a driving job is statistically the most dangerous.

Police and fire, you know what you are getting into every shift? you know what could happen? so either quit or be quiet. I wear the badge and cannot stand those who cry about the dangers. I know what can happen and that's OK. the day isn't my last day and I'll be honest: half my shift is either trying not to fall asleep or is drinking free coffee.

Police and firefighters are hands down the most dangerous occupations hands down. Sure there are other jobs that put your life in danger, but other then being in war, what other occupation puts you at risk of being killed by other people.

Police officers put their life on the line every day. Not only do they have to watch out for hazards such as getting hit by a car or falling off of something, but they also have to watch out for people who want to hurt other people. Who deals with that person? Not a tree climber that's for sure.

Who sees people at their worst, and then has to deal with them? Who has to run towards someone shooting/killing/hurting someone else? When all hell breaks loose, who gets called to the scene?

And most importantly, who is hated by majority of the public but yet is called by that same majority when their the ones that need help?

Just remember this: when you clock out at the end of the day, you don't have to do your job until you clock back in the next day. Regardless if police and firefighters are off, if crap happens in front of them, they have to do something.

I can speak only for police officers when I say that we wear the badge 24/7. The criminals don't clock in and out and they don't care if we are on the clock or not. As for the comment of being president and the ratio of assassinations, can you count how many police officers get murdered/killed on the job? Whoever made the list should work a day our shoes. God bless law enforcement and firefighters everywhere. Stay safe.

I'm a tree climber in the uk, working around power lines, and it's scary how dangerous the job is, from the danger of a chainsaw hanging off your harness and the powerline you're working right next to, and also the falling trees and various machinery we use.

I have the utmost respect for police officers and firefighters, but like you guys, we are taken for granted, slated until we are needed, screw the bankers and all the people on huge salaries for dong nothing.

We need a pay raise.

What about U.S. aircraft carriers, where you can be killed at any moment?

Police and firemen have dangerous jobs -- that's obvious, but not even close to the top in terms of the most dangerous. Yes you may face a person with a gun and yes you fight fires, but never by yourself and most are at least fairly compensated if not overcompensated for the risk. It all comes down to your union and the other occupations lack of unions.

And before all the police wives reply, try having some compassion for the 12 wives whose husbands died on the Deepwater Horizon before you tell us how many sleepless nights you have. These guys didn't have the 20 and out option and all the other perks that come with the job.

President of the United States of America is the most dangerous. Of 44 total so far, four have been assassinated. That's one in every 11 killed. End of discussion, sadly.

tower erectors!

Commercial fishing. Trawling is one of the worlds most dangerous jobs. No safety in this job apart from a life jacket. If you're fishing in the rough atlantic or in alaska your chances of gaining safety are slim. You can't plan gales or storms.

My husband is a police officer. His tour will never end. Until he gets killed in the line of duty, or his body gives out, he will be there every night, facing the drugs and the gangs. The evil he walks into is beyond dangerous. I know he has the most dangerous job, I don't need a "study" to tell me.

I'm actually a timber cutter. It really is a dangerous occupation. Even for average oak trees in someones yard, falling branches can kill you. Because of the loud sound of chainsaws, you don't know when people are screaming at you to get out of the way. And wood chippers are another hazard too. Self feeding, once they grab you, they won't stop pulling you in.

I am 4"11 and weigh 120 work at a gas station at night for minimum wage, about 7.25 an hour. now that is some dangerous stuff and I am also female. I know that should not matter but if you see a gas station attendant, be nice because that job stinks and is dangerous. Thanks to all who are nice to me. B.E.

Being a firefighter is dangerous at times but overall it's a great job that pays well and more importantly it's something you can be proud of doing.

That said, i think you could find yourself doing far more dangerous jobs on a day to day basis and they pay less and have few perks compared to firefighting.

I think other jobs are far more dangerous than being a firefighter or police officer, but those are "sexy" jobs. nobody cares about timber cutters, fisherman or power line workers.

Honestly, I'd feel more safe working in a fire hall and putting out fires over pumping gas at some insecure gas station at 2 a.m. in the morning where I'd feel like a sitting duck for a robbery.

I'm a union Elevator Constructor and we deal with heights and moving machines every day and not to mention rigging and hoisting this equipment above us to work on it.

I've seen lists that have a salesperson ranked higher on the "dangerous job" list than a police officer or firefighter. Why? Because he/she drives all day long and traffic accidents account for so many injuries and deaths in this country.

I don't need to see my husband's profession (firefighter) listed as one of the most dangerous jobs to know the difference between the danger he faces every day and the danger that a salesperson faces.

My husband makes less than $50k a year to walk into a burning building to look for strangers to pull to safety.

To the idiot who thinks they make $100K and do nothing, yes, they go days without a fire. That makes them lazy in your eyes? Are you kidding me? The fire he fought two days ago isn't enough for you? You think he should be in danger every hour of his shift?

It's not enough that he won't sleep tonight for all of the accident victims, shooting victims and difficulty breathing victimes he will help? He needs to feel the heat of the flames every day?

You're probably one of those people who make comments when they see the firefighters in the grocery store, buying food for their meals that day. "Glad to see my tax dollars are buying you a steak" Newsflash: your tax dollars do not feed my husband. That is his money paying for those groceries.

The ffers pool their money every morning to buy whatever food they are going to eat that day. Your tax dollars also don't pay for the tv in the station or the comfortable chairs they sit in. They pooled their money and paid for those things and many other things, themselves.

delivering pizza on a scooter at night on bad estates can be hairy.

clearly the taliban has the most dangerous job in the world.

have you considered an oil field worker, especially on rig sites, where the probability of what you call a safe job is down to 1 percent and where you are exposed to 5000-10000psi of pressure every day?

My comment is about welding/fitting. I too have worked on all types of welding /fitting jobs, from the installation of reactors systems to drain lines.

And I want to say that the person from the plant at middle-town Connecticut who said that they were being pushed to finish the project on time is true. I myself have been in the same situation.

And it seems that safety goes out the window when things most be done when a schedule has to be met.

Also it always seems to come around to be a welder's fault when a serious mishap occurs. I have had fire watches take off while I was under the hood and tank watches leave without notification, which not only left my life in jeopardy but also people around me.

And when these instances were brought to a supervisor's attention nothing was done.

So maybe there are more dangerous or hazardous jobs out there but in my book, welding is in the top five. And the reason is, while you are under the hood you don't know what's over your head, who may have moved some sort of chemical under you or even if the line you may be working on has been flushed out properly or if there is an inert gas purge being used.

Now a welder/fitter may have checked these procedures earlier but things happen during the course of a day and welders do die and they deserve respect and admiration for their skills and the dangers they face on a day to day basics.

Ive been a welder/fitter in the fabrication of pipe systems for some twenty-six years. These systems were from off loading stations and storage systems to HVAC unites. And I'm talking hundreds of tons. To power plants, chemical plants and pharmaceutical plants. And wonder why people don't have a true concept of just how dangerous or how hazardous this type of work truly is!

Just look at the Middletown Connecticut Gas powered plant from just the last couple of weeks.

And the accidents you don't hear about.

Firefighters are probably not on this list because about half of the deaths associated with firefighting are on the volunteer side making it, technically not a "workplace" injury.

There are approximately 125 ff deaths each year give or take (obviously not including Sept. 11). I don't know where that places them on the list and don't care as long as they come when they're called.

And as for their salaries, they deserve every bit of it and more. If I ever have to experience the kind of crisis that these individuals manage and mitigate every day, I would want someone there that knows what to do.

Also, the fire service, and the firefighters union (IAFF) have made great strides towards increased safety in the profession. Whether it is from better protective gear, better apparatus, or better operating procedures, there has been a great effort to decrease the number of deaths and injuries in that occupation.

Those who are quick to point at those "lazy fireman" and criticize will be he first to call them when their house/business is on fire, or when their mother is laying on the floor dying from a heart attack or stroke. At that point I think you would see that they earn every penny of their salary. Peace

I am proud to say I have a very dangerous job. I am a union ironworker and I really have to respect the aspect of death on the job.

We build America in some of the most hostile environments, not to mention my personal favorite, height.

So in conclusion I just wanted to go on record for myself and my brothers and sisters in the field every day dancing with death to say it is a dangerous job. M.E. IW Local 477

I climb cell phone towers and install antennas and and dishes, etc. but I just started and that crap is a crazy job. Its fun as hell though and I love it already. It's a rush. Climb a hundred feet plus up and stand on a little piece of pipe held in with U-bolts.

Bomb disposal.

With respect to #8, I suspect tree *faller* is what the article means is the most dangerous job, not tree trimmer. (Though I don't mean to downplay the dangers in tree trimming.) Tree faller is what tops other lists I've seen.

I am a firefighter and do believe that it is one of the top dangerous jobs. I also believe that there are many dangerous jobs out there and that people make jobs more dangerous by being careless.

I read some of these comments and just shake my head. We do love our jobs and it's not for everyone or just anyone -- it takes more than just getting up and going into work.

There are a lot of sacrifices made during your career, being personal, family and the list goes on. Anyone out there who says we are lazy and overpaid (which isn't much at all), go to your local F.D and ask to ride a 24 hour shift, maybe try a couple shifts (spaced apart) and see how demanding it can be. Runs all day, not being able to eat a meal without interruption, hope that when you lie down to sleep you don't have four or five runs at night and that when you leave the firehouse you pray to return because of not knowing what your scene is going to be when you arrive.

We do these things because we feel goodness in our hearts when that person's life was saved and they come thank you two weeks later, that's worth the 3-digit figures that we don't make. We do it because we love it -- not to get rich, so think before you down a firefighter because you actually have no idea what's going on

I would like to say thanks to all my brothers and sisters that get up to do their jobs and God bless them and their families.

I don't see bullfighting on your list .Where would they appear?

i think its great that pilots are at least ranked third. we go so many responsibilities every day. no matter how experienced we are bad weather could make our day the last day. when it comes to making decisions we do not have a book to look at and make decisions. it is our own responsibilities that will cause the next step. so i think pilots deserve third.

I think it is a firefighter because they jump into fire to save people and also risk their lives.

I think a really dangerous job is the military because of all the deaths and you don't know when it might be your last day. Not to show up any of the other jobs, they're pretty bad too, but my heart goes out to the military. I know so many people in the military and they were and are my family and I've lost so many family members to the war. i just think it's the worst. My heart will always remain with the military.

I have nothing but respect for firefighters. Can you even begin to measure the sacrifice of the FDNY on 9-11? These men and women went into buildings where they knew they might die--in order to save others.

There may be lazy firefighters somewhere, but I've never met one. They are first responders to wrecks, drownings, home medical calls and natural disasters. They are true public servants and are always ready to go where they are called, regardless of the potential danger to themselves. God bless them!

I don't know what in the world comment eleven is talking about. show me the 60 to 100 k paycheck. I am a firefighter and i make less than half of that. One day you're going to be in serious need of a firefighter and regret ever saying that. The simple fact is only 41 crab fisherman died in the last ten years. An average of two firefighters die every week! That's over a hundred per year. I have not spent one day just sitting around the station waiting for a call. There's a lot more behind the scenes that nobody knows about. I do not do what i do to be a hero, but I will not have somebody talk down to me and my brothers!

what about your local power worker? they work in any conditions: day or night rain snow, you name it, we do it.

I'm a firefighter and proud to be one. Dangerous? Yes at times, but I chose to do this as a career, not to be a hero or recognized as a dangerous job, but to make a difference, You may say I'm lazy, blah, blah, blah. sounds like you picked the wrong career.

man osha must have really improved the oil fields because that used to be the most dangerous.

You know it all just depends on if you have a good day or a bad day, when your time is up your time is up if you slip up, make a mistake or you're in the wrong place at the wrong time, all your training and safety devices won't save you. You will be checking out before you even know what happened to you.

How about a truck driver in Iraq, Afghanistan or explosive ordnance disposal and many other jobs? The only thing keeping a lot of the fatalities down is choppers and doctors.

Helicopter EMTs!

I'm a steepljack. There are very few in the country. It's pretty dangerous. Especially rigging.

Fire fighters are the most over paid lazy people. Their job ranks on the bottom of the list of OSHA dangerous jobs. 95 percent of their calls are accident-related and not fire. How many people do you know who get paid 60 to 100K to sit around a firehouse waiting for something to happen and then retire after twenty five years at 80 percent of their salary. Sick, lazy, disgusting.

I feel that there was one job that was left out. It may not be consistent as a firefighter or police officer which I feel deserves a lot of recognition for what they do. I am a servicemember for the US Army and since the attacks on the US, there has been a rise of soldier deaths in all branches of the service, Marine, Navy, Air Force and Army. I am a combat medic. I have seen many soldiers fall as casualties while in combat and back stateside. I'm not posting because I feel that the military should receive more recognition than any other job title. I just can't believe that it was not mentioned as a dangerous job considering the rigorous training we go through. Dealing with NBC chemicals to operating 70 ton vehicles and firing different variety of weapon systems and explosives. Some say that police officers and firefighters give there life for others well so does the military. For people that do not acknowledge what we do and that's defend our country...

I'm surprised there is no note about racehorse jockeys. As far as injury goes, these guys are near the top of the list. Thoroughbreds are large, fast, unpredictable, and spirited animals. Every jockey gets hurt; no exceptions. And the fact that they must stick to a very low weight only adds to the danger. Some have died just trying to keep their weight down. Incidents have been reported of riders passing out mid-race due to exhaustion from dehydration or low potassium levels. Jockeys are tough and put their lives on the line every day.

as for tree trimmers making an average of 60,000 in 10 month period. please let me know where that is cause i only make if i'm lucky with ot 30,000. i do line clearance tree trimming which should be in its own category separate from regular tree trimmers, because we work around the power lines and falling limbs trees etc... we have more people die each year than any other industry. but what all these people don't realize is all these deaths can be prevented. with proper training and positive intervention before something goes wrong.

In response to comment made by 15345 they're not on the list because they don't want to be listed as heroes. Are you saying that some logger goes to work thinking if he gets killed he is going to be a hero? or some fisherman, high steel worker, coal miner etc. come on there, police and fireman, not on the list because of training and safety measures. there is no limit to training etc. when you are using tax dollars. their not on the list because they don't qualify in the top ten. simple as that. there is definitely danger in their jobs, just not top ten danger. period.

I don't believe that firefighters or police are at any more risk than the average soldier...That is a bogus comment about them not wanting to be heroes so the deaths aren't listed. There are only so many personality types and most police fall into the same group. They have better safety equipment and training that a lot of the other occupations don't have. There are jobs out there that are more dangerous than fishing....Look at the wind turbine commissioners...there are less than 400 that work for GE and there was something like 8 near fatal to fatal accidents last year. This means that people died or were severely injured...Do the math on that. We aren't talking per 100k employees with those numbers and that doesn't count the rest of the wind community either.

i find it hard to believe that 55% of highway construction workers are destined to die on the job! i looked it up, and the fatality rate is 32 out of every 100,000 (.032%) highway construction workers. it is three times more dangerous than regular construction jobs.

Never knew a firefighter to be arrogant. I heard of one death this past year and one the year before for wildland. I have met a lot of firefighters going through rehabilitation for truss failure. I myself am a union ironworker and disappointed that this barely mentions the trade or that highway construction worker gets mentioned before, with a 55% death rate.

I'm a firefighter for the city of Atlanta. I believe that firefighting isn't on the list because firefighter deaths aren't reported the same way that other occupations are reported. I have personally witnessed 4 firefighter being burned alive while trying to save someones life and this is only one fire dept. out of all the fire departments in the U.S. 343 NYC firefighters died in one day on 9/11/01. The truth is that police officers and Firefighters are at a much greater risk of being killed than a fisherman. Firefighters and police officers do not regard themselves as heroes because they do what their job requires and it requires that they lay down their life for the safety of a stranger. They're not on the list because they don't want to be labeled as hero. The End.

We seem to hear a lot about the high danger that the "fire fighters" in this country have, yet I can,t find them on any list showing just where they are as for dangerous jobs. Can anyone help with this?

C-T