Work stress is no longer just a workplace buzzword. As industries evolve and expectations rise, pressure has quietly become part of everyday work life. Heading into 2026, stress is no longer limited to a handful of extreme professions.
A recent study by Welltory takes a closer look at this shift. By analysing how different jobs affect mental and physical wellbeing, the study identifies roles most likely to experience sustained pressure in the years ahead. The findings show how modern stress builds slowly, then sticks around.
How the study measured stress
The Welltory study assessed workplace pressure using seven key factors, each reflecting a specific stress trigger.
- Workload Intensity – Measures how demanding daily tasks are and how often employees feel overwhelmed.
- Job Openings Rates – High vacancy rates usually indicate labour shortages and increased pressure on existing staff.
- Emotional Strain – Looks at constant emotional engagement, especially in people-facing roles.
- Responsibility Levels – Assesses accountability and the consequences of errors at work.
- Work-Life Balance – Examines how much work spills into personal time.
- Unpredictability – Tracks sudden changes, emergencies, or irregular schedules.
- Exposure to Risk – Measures physical danger or repeated exposure to crisis situations.
“Stress is not always dramatic,” says Dr. Anna Elitzur, a mental health expert at Welltory. “It often comes from repeated demands without enough time to recover.”
Jobs with the highest pressure
Based on these factors, the study ranked nine roles with the highest overall stress scores heading into 2026.
- Leisure and Hospitality, stress score 66
- Healthcare Workers, stress score 65
- Emergency Responders, stress score 64
- Air Traffic Controllers, stress score 63
- Corporate Executives and Senior Managers, stress score 62
- Teachers, stress score 61
- Journalists, stress score 60
- Social Workers, stress score 59
- Military Personnel, stress score 58
These roles share common traits. High responsibility. Emotional labour. Long hours. Limited downtime.
“High pressure jobs are not just about risk,” Dr. Elitzur explains. “They are about responsibility that never really switches off.”
What the results show
The results suggest workplace stress is becoming more widespread, even in roles not traditionally seen as high risk. Emotional endurance is now as critical as technical skill. “The future of work has to include recovery, not just productivity,” says Dr. Elitzur.
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