It’s not being a spy and it’s not being a surfer – in fact the most dangerous jobs in America probably aren’t any of the occupations that you might guess. Here are the top five:
1. Job: Fishing
Risk factors: The producers of “Deadliest Catch” don’t need to create much artificial drama, as fishers and fishing workers have — on average — the most dangerous jobs in the country. Malfunctioning gear, inclement weather and transportation incidents all factor into the highest fatality rate, a distinction it has held since 1992.
Fatality rate: 127.3 per 100,000 workers, 42 total
Median annual salary: $25,590
2. Job: Logging workers
Risk factors: Total logging fatalities in the U.S. increased from 59 to 65 from 2010 to 2011. Dangers are apparent when spending most of your days outside with heavy machinery, frequently bad weather and occasional high altitudes.
Fatality rate: 104 per 100,000 workers, 65 total
Median annual salary: $32,870
3. Job: Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
Risk factors: Though pilots are often financially compensated for the inherent dangers and responsibilities of their jobs, no amount of money can change the fact that it’s a long way down.
Fatality rate: 56.1 per 100,000 workers, 71 total
Median annual salary: $118,070 airline, $92,060 commercial
4. Job: Refuse and recyclable material collectors
Risk factors: Trash and recyclable collectors don’t get enough credit for maintaining order in society. Trash collector strikes are never a pretty thing and neither is the high fatality rate.
Fatality rate: 36.4 per 100,000 workers, 30 total
Median annual salary: $35,230
5. Job: Roofers
Risk factors: It doesn’t take a history in roofing to know that the biggest danger is not sunburns or hammered fingers. Falls are the leading culprit in fatal injuries, while other nonfatal injuries like fractures make general construction work among the most injury-prone jobs.
Fatality rate: 34.1 per 100,000 workers, 60 total
Median annual salary: $34,220
