Each year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks fatal injuries across U.S. occupations.
While traders on both Kalshi and Polymarket are wondering how many jobs got added last month (the ruling figure is over 100,000 at both, at 75% and 66% respectively), there are some you might want to steer clear of.
These are the 10 most dangerous jobs based on fatality rate per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
10, 9, 8. Construction, Farming, Utilities
- Utility Line Workers – Fatality Rate: 22.0 – Electrocution and falls while working on live power lines.
- Farmers/Ranchers – Fatality Rate: 23.0 – Equipment injuries, animal-related accidents.
- Construction Workers – Fatality Rate: 25.0 – Falls, electrocution, machinery hazards.
7. Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Fatality Rate: 27.0
Crushing injuries, exposure to toxic materials, and high risk of being struck by vehicles put garbage collectors in constant danger.
6. Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers
Fatality Rate: 28.0
Long hours on the road, tight deadlines, and the threat of highway crashes make trucking one of the deadliest widespread occupations in the country.
5. Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Fatality Rate: 32.0
These workers build the skeletons of buildings and bridges. Working hundreds of feet up with welding equipment and heavy steel beams means any mistake can be fatal.
4. Fishing and Hunting Workers
Fatality Rate: 35.0
Commercial fishing is perilous. Rough seas, heavy gear, and unpredictable conditions lead to a high number of drownings and traumatic injuries. Think *Deadliest Catch*, but without the cameras.
3. Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers
Fatality Rate: 48.0
While commercial aviation is generally safe, this rate includes smaller planes used for cargo, crop-dusting, and emergency response—jobs prone to crashes, especially in poor weather.
2. Roofers
Fatality Rate: 59.0
Falls are the leading hazard. Whether working on steep angles, in bad weather, or with unstable materials, roofers face daily risks that make this trade extremely hazardous.
1. Logging Workers
Fatality Rate: 82.0
Logging remains the deadliest job in America. Wor
