Top 24 Well-Paid, Low-Stress Jobs

So you think there's no such thing as a well-paid, low-stress job? Think again. Using the US Department of Labour database that compiles detailed information on hundreds of jobs, we bring you the Top 20 Well-Paid, Low-Stress Jobs.
The "stress tolerance" for each job is rated on a scale from 1 to 10, where a lower rating signals less stress.

Audiologist
Stress rating: 10
Average salary: $77,420
Description: Assess and treat people with hearing and related disorders. They may fit hearing aids and provide auditory training, and sometimes perform research related to hearing problems.
Requirements: A doctoral degree and license.
Optometrist
Stress rating: 10
Average salary: $115,750
Description: Perform eye exams to check for vision problems and diseases. They prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses as needed.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree, four-year doctor of optometry program, and a state license.
Art director
Stress rating: 10
Average salary: $101,990
Description: Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and movie and television productions.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree or previous work experience.
Technical writers
Stress rating: 10
Average salary: $73,350
Description: Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree is typically required (experience with a technical subject, such as computer science, web design, or engineering, is important).
Computer hardware engineer
Stress rating: 9
Average salary: $114,970
Description: Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited program.
Orthodontist
Stress rating: 9
Average salary: $221,390
Description: Examine, diagnose, and treat dental misalignments and oral cavity anomalies, design appliances to realign teeth and jaws.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree, four-year dental school, and two to three years of residency training.
Hydrologist
Stress rating: 9
Average salary: $83,440
Description: Study how water moves across and through Earth's crust. They can use their expertise to solve problems in the areas of water quality or availability.
Requirements: Master's degree.
Applications software developer
Stress rating: 9
Average salary: $102,160
Description: Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree and strong computer programming skills.
Computer and information systems manager
Stress tolerance: 8
Average salary: $141,000
Description: Help determine the information technology goals of an organization; responsible for implementing the appropriate computer systems to meet those goals.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree.
Actuary
Stress rating: 8
Average salary: $110,560
Description: Analyse the financial costs of risk and uncertainty.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree and a series of exams to become certified.
Operations research analyst
Stress rating: 8
Average salary: $84,180
Description: Use advanced mathematical and analytical methods to help organizations investigate complex issues, identify and solve problems, and make better decisions.
Requirements: Many entry-level positions are available for those with a bachelor's degree, but some employers prefer to hire applicants with a master's degree or Ph.D.
Law teacher (postsecondary)
Stress rating: 8
Average salary: $126,230
Description: Teach courses in law.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree in law.

Geo-scientist (except hydrologists and geographers)
Stress rating: 7
Average salary: $105,720
Description: Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth.
Requirements: At least a bachelor's degree, and in several states scientists may need a license.
Astronomer
Stress rating: 7
Average salary: $110,220
Description: Observe, research, and analyse astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Requirements: Ph.D. for most research jobs.
Physicist
Stress rating: 7
Average salary: $118,500
Description: Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Requirements: Ph.D. for most research jobs.
Biomedical engineer
Stress rating: 7
Average salary: $91,230
Description: Analyse and design solutions to problems in biology and medicine, with the goal of improving the quality and effectiveness of patient care.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering or complete on-the-job training.
Materials engineer
Stress rating: 6
Average salary: $94,690
Description: Evaluate and develop materials, machinery, and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree in materials science or engineering, or a related field.
Political scientist
Stress rating: 6
Average salary: $103,210
Description: Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree, followed by master's or Ph.D. in political science, public administration, or a related field.
Agricultural engineer
Stress rating: 6
Average salary: $78,490
Description: Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree, preferably in agricultural engineering or biological engineering.
Statistician
Stress rating: 6
Average salary: $84,440
Description: Use statistical methods to collect and analyse data and help solve real-world problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields.
Requirements: Typically need a graduate degree.
Economist
Stress rating: 5
Average salary: $109,230
Description: Economists study the production and distribution of resources, goods, and services.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree.
Geographer
Stress rating: 5
Average salary: $74,920
Description: Study the nature and use of areas of Earth's surface, conduct research on physical aspects of a region, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area.
Requirements: Master's degree for most positions; some entry-level jobs in the federal government require only a bachelor's.
Mathematician
Stress rating: 5
Average salary: $112,560
Description: Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields; solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.
Requirements: Bachelor's or master's degree for those who want to work in government, and a doctorate may be required to work for private companies.
Materials scientist
Stress rating: 5
Average salary: $94,940
Description: Research and study substances at the atomic and molecular levels and the ways in which substances react with one another, use knowledge to develop new and improved products.
Requirements: At least a bachelor's degree; a master's degree or Ph.D. is needed for many research jobs.