After 10 years working in the most stressful job in America - Loretta Hill reveals how work “tests your patience”
Here’s the most stressful job in America, and it’s not what you’d expect.
A brain surgeon? Bomb disposal expert? Milkman? What comes to mind when you think of America’s most stressful job?
After ten years in the sky, flight attendant Loretta Hill has learned that even a dream job can come with turbulence. According to a new study by the Leaders Institute, her profession as a flight attendant ranks as the most stressful job in America, scoring a staggering 91.12 out of 100.
“Honestly, I find this really surprising,” says Loretta Hill, who has flying with JetBlue for 10 years. “Maybe it’s because I am really cut out for this type of job, as I am physically strong and have an easygoing disposition.”
“I think the most stressful thing about being a flight attendant is managing the constant circadian rhythm disruption,” she explains. “This is the worst thing for our health, and it impacts mentally how we feel, our metabolism, our sleep, so it makes everything much more challenging.”
I fly every week for work. My mother was a flight attendant. I’ve never had a fear of flying, but the government shutdown exacerbating what was already a shortage of air traffic controllers is alarming. I truly appreciate this message from our @Delta pilot this morning. pic.twitter.com/UJAke5ZSzl
— AJ Ross (@AJRoss_TV) November 7, 2025
The study that crowned her profession as the most stressful in the United States analysed over 700 occupations, weighing factors such as decision-making, public interaction, and time pressure.
It might surprise people who assume that jobs like surgery or firefighting would top the list, but the constant travel, lack of routine, and unpredictable passengers make life in the skies like nothing else on the planet.
Coming in second are service unit operators in the oil and gas industry, who face daily risks working with heavy equipment in often remote or extreme environments.
Closely behind are hoist and winch operators, whose work involves handling enormous loads and machinery where one mistake can have catastrophic consequences. These jobs demand intense concentration, long hours, and physical stamina, often in harsh weather or isolated locations.
Top 10 most stressful jobs in the United States:
- Flight attendants
- Service unit operators, oil and gas
- Hoist and winch operators
- Wind turbine service technicians
- Rotary drill operators, oil and gas
- Firefighters
- Derrick operators, oil and gas
- Helpers for extraction workers
- Tank car, truck and ship loaders
- Millwrights
Adding flight attendant to my CV. pic.twitter.com/TbCHfeodNI
— Stephen Merchant (@StephenMerchant) March 20, 2025
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Doug Staneart, a spokesperson for the Leaders Institute, said: “We tend to think of stress as a white-collar issue—deadlines, emails, meetings—but this data shows that some of the most stressful jobs are also the most physical. When you combine danger, time pressure and unpredictable conditions, it’s no wonder these workers face such intense daily challenges.”
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