When considering different careers, one factor that may influence someone’s decision is the life expectancy of people in that profession. Some jobs tend to be associated with longer lifespans on average, while other occupations may be linked to shorter life expectancies. In this article, we’ll look at which jobs and careers tend to have the longest life expectancies.
What impacts life expectancy for different jobs?
There are a few key factors that can affect the average life expectancy of people working in a particular field:
- Workplace hazards – Jobs with dangerous conditions or exposure to harmful substances tend to have lower life expectancies. This includes careers like mining, construction, agriculture, and firefighting.
- Stress level – High-stress jobs take a toll on the body over time and can lead to health issues that reduce lifespan. Careers like investment banking, policing, and medicine tend to be high-stress.
- Work hours/lifestyle – Long work hours, night shift work, and other disruptions to regular sleep and lifestyle impact health. Jobs like doctors, pilots, and long-haul truckers have these issues.
- Physical demands – Physically strenuous jobs can wear down the body over time and lead to musculoskeletal injuries and other problems. Construction work, caregiving, stocking shelves all require physical labor.
Jobs that avoid these risk factors tend to be correlated with longer than average life expectancies. Let’s look at some of the careers that have been shown to have the longest lifespans.
Academic careers
Working in academia is linked to some of the longest life expectancies of any occupation. According to several studies, professors, researchers, and other academic professionals tend to live 1-3 years longer on average than the general population.
There are a few reasons why jobs in higher education correlate to longer lifespans:
- Low physical demands – Academic work is primarily sedentary and does not require strenuous activity.
- High degree of autonomy – Professors and researchers often have flexible schedules and independence in their work.
- Low stress environments – While periods like grant application deadlines and grading can be demanding, overall stress levels tend to be moderate.
- Job security and good benefits – Tenured academic positions are very secure long-term and tend to offer good healthcare coverage.
The combination of low physical risks, relatively low stress, flexibility, and intellectual stimulation contributes to longer than average life expectancy for university professors and other academic professionals. Researchers have estimated life expectancy to be 1-3 years greater for humanities and social science professors compared to the general population. STEM and medical professors also enjoy above average life expectancy.
Healthcare practitioners
It may be surprising that jobs in healthcare would have high life expectancy given the high stress and demands of these fields. However, physicians, nurses, dentists, and other healthcare professionals tend to live longer than average:
- Physicians – Studies show physicians live 2-3 years longer on average than the general public. Access to healthcare, high salaries, and strong professional networks contribute to longevity.
- Nurses -Registered nurses live around 1 year longer than the average population. Job stability and active work environments support long lifespans.
- Dentists – Dentists have life expectancies around 3 years higher than the public. Good incomes and low physical demands play a role.
While high stress is a risk, healthcare practitioners tend to have low physical strain in their work, access to excellent medical care, and strong professional networks – all advantages for longevity.
Public safety careers
Law enforcement and other public safety careers also tend to be linked to above average life expectancy. For example:
- Firefighters – Despite risks on the job, firefighters live about 4 years longer on average than the general population. Fitness requirements contribute to longevity.
- Police officers – Police officers overall have about a 1 year higher life expectancy. However, longevity depends heavily on rank, with higher ranking officers living significantly longer.
First responders maintain high fitness standards which contribute to long lifespans. Police officers and firefighters also benefit from good job security and pensions. However, risk factors like stress and workplace hazards do reduce longevity versus other professions.
Low stress management and office jobs
Careers with minimal physical demands and relatively low stress levels also correlate to increased life expectancy. Some examples include:
- Judges and magistrates – Judges live around 5 years longer on average than the general public. Low physical strain and high socioeconomic status contribute to longevity.
- Accountants and auditors – Number crunching careers like accounting and auditing are low stress and have above average life expectancy of 1-2 years.
- Managers – From retail managers to office managers, overseeing operations correlates to a 1-2 year longer lifespan on average.
The combination of sedentary office work, good salaries, and mid-range stress levels allows people in management and office careers to live longer than average.
Creative careers
Pursuing your creative passion could add years to your life as well! Jobs in creative fields like art, design, and entertainment tend to provide longevity benefits:
- Authors and writers – Authors live around 1 year longer than the general public on average. Freedom to pursue creative interests contributes to longevity.
- Artists and designers – Painters, sculptors, graphic designers, and architects have life expectancies up to 2 years longer than average.
- Entertainers and performers – Entertainers have around a 1 year longer lifespan compared to the public. Expressing creativity is a longevity boost.
While creative occupations have various levels of income and job stability, the ability to express creativity and individuality seems to provide longevity benefits.
Lowest life expectancy jobs
On the other end of the spectrum, certain occupations have Unfortunately, some occupations come with substantially lower than average life expectancies. A few examples of jobs with the lowest longevity include:
- Mining – Miners have a life expectancy around 10 years lower than average due to dangers like accidents, lung disease, and toxicity exposure.
- Fishing workers – Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations, with life expectancy around 8 years lower than the public.
- Logging workers – Loggers have life spans around 6 years shorter than average due to accidents and physical strain.
- Roofers – Exposure to weather extremes and frequent accidents lower roofer’s life expectancy to around 5 years less than average.
- Refuse and recyclable material collectors – Waste collection workers live around 3 years less due to accidents, infections, and exposure to toxins.
Physical demands, dangerous conditions, as well as stress contribute to lower longevity for these occupations. Protective equipment and safety measures can help reduce risks.
Key factors impacting longevity
While occupation plays a role, other factors impact longevity as well. Gender, ethnicity, education, and income level also influence life expectancy. However, focusing on controllable factors can help improve longevity prospects regardless of occupation:
- Maintaining healthy diet and lifestyle habits
- Developing strong social connections and community
- Engaging in purposeful work and creative pursuits
- Cultivating positive psychological habits like gratitude
- Seeking preventative medical care and screenings
Workplace safety measures, employee wellness initiatives, and occupational health services can also help reduce risks and improve longevity for historically dangerous jobs.
Conclusion
While every occupation has risks, certain careers tend to be associated with longer lifespans on average. Academic careers, healthcare practitioners, public safety workers, managers, and creatives tend to live 1-5 years longer than the general population. Factors like low physical demands, intellectual engagement, autonomy, and expression of creativity contribute to longevity in these professions. However, lifestyle habits, community connections, and finding purpose and fulfillment can help increase life expectancy regardless of your occupation.