21 Low-Stress Jobs For People With Anxiety [2023]

Low-stress jobs are often necessary for people with anxiety. Whether you need flexibility, a slow work pace, or a peaceful environment, finding a job that doesn’t add more stress to your life can be hugely helpful.

In this article, we’ll share 21 low-stress jobs for people with anxiety, as well as what to look for in a low-stress job.

Key Takeaways:

• Look for jobs that are flexible, both in terms of workspace and deadlines.

• Don’t toss job opportunities away just because they are not work-from-home.

• You don’t have to have a college degree to get a low-stress job — try looking at technical and community colleges for certificate programs that may interest you.

Best entry-level low-stress jobs for people with anxiety

1. Freelance Writing, Blogging, and Editing

   Average Annual Salary: $69,510

   If you are word-savvy and want a low-stress job that provides plenty of flexibility for managing your anxiety, give freelance writing a try.

   As a freelance writer or editor, you can work from home, set your own hours, and negotiate your own rates. These jobs give you practice working with clients and deadlines, but they’re limited to how many gigs you’re comfortable taking on.

   Find Freelance Writer jobs near me

2. Social Media Manager

   Average Annual Salary: $70,287

   If you like using social media and creating creative online spaces, a position as a social media manager might be a great low-stress job option.

   This role would give you the chance to work with people some of the time, but most of it is creative work you do on your own, which can be a great fit for people with anxiety.

   Find Social Media Manager jobs near me

3. Bookkeeper or Accountant

   Average Annual Salary: $54,890

   These jobs require analytical skills and basic math abilities, and they often involve systematic work that is low-stress for people with anxiety.

   But beware, some accountant and bookkeeping jobs can be incredibly stressful — try looking for a position in a smaller company or one that doesn’t require you to handle many accounts by yourself.

   Find Accountant jobs near me

4. Computer Programmer and IT Specialist

   Average Annual Salary: $70,979

   This job is great for someone with anxiety as it can often be done from home and usually involves working independently.

   You don’t always need a degree to land this job either — try taking competency exams for coding languages and use that to prove skills in the job application process.

   Find Computer Programmer jobs near me

5. Librarian

   Average Annual Salary: $53,096

   If you are a bookworm and want to help improve literacy while also working in a low-pressure environment, this could be the job for you.

   Librarians manage libraries, help patrons with their research, and host low-key events for local families, among other things. While you might have an occasional deadline to meet or a difficult person to deal with, a library is generally a peaceful place to work.

   Find Librarian jobs near me

6. Forest Ranger

   Average Annual Salary: $56,792

   If you love nature and want to serve the public without working in an office or around people all day, working as a forest ranger might be an excellent low-stress option.

   In this role, you’d get to be outside all day as you patrol the area and work to conserve protected areas. This job requires physical fitness and strong outdoor skills, but many people find this far less anxiety-inducing than working in an office all day.

   Find Forest Ranger jobs near me

Best low-stress jobs with no degree

1. Pet Jobs

   Average Annual Salary: $25,823

   If you love animals and find they help relieve your anxiety, a job as a dog trainer, kennel worker, pet sitter, or dog walker could be the perfect choice for you.

   You don’t need a degree to get started in this field, and you can often choose your own schedule and workload, making this an excellent low-stress job option.

   Find Pet Sitter jobs near me

2. Landscaping

   Average Annual Salary: $28,952

   If you find spending time outside and working with your hands soothing to your anxiety, landscaping could be the perfect gig for you.

   While you’ll be a part of a team as you work to implement landscape designs and care for plants, you’ll be able to do plenty of independent work and won’t have to deal directly with many customers, if that’s something you’re looking for.

   Find Landscaping jobs near me

3. School Bus Driver

   Average Annual Salary: $37,607

   If you love kids but want a low-pressure job that doesn’t involve being with them one-on-one for nine hours a day, being a school bus driver could be a great option.

   School bus drivers often only need to work half days, giving you plenty of time to relax in between shifts. They also usually get school breaks off, lightening your load even more.

   Find School Bus Driver jobs near me

4. Uber/Lyft/Taxi driver

   Average Annual Salary: $30,050

   Being a for-hire driver is a low-stress job that allows you to make your own schedule and practice interacting with people for short periods of time.

   The best part is that you can simply choose to not take any more jobs if your anxiety has had enough for the day.

   Find Taxi Driver jobs near me

5. Bookstore Assistant

   Average Annual Salary: $28,795

   If you love books and want a low-stress job but cannot work as a librarian because you don’t have the degree, working as an assistant in a library or bookstore would be a great choice.

   You’ll get to spend your days among shelves of books and help others find new favorites to read. You’ll likely even learn some things about how to run a business.

   Find Book Seller jobs near me

6. Graphic Designer

   Average Annual Salary: $49,450

   If you are creative and are seeking a creative outlet that lowers your anxiety while giving you a paycheck, try searching for graphic design jobs.

   Many graphic design roles don’t come with a lot of stress, and you can also work as a freelance graphic designer, giving you full control over your schedule. While you don’t necessarily need a degree to work as a graphic designer, taking some classes will help you hone your skills.

   Find Graphic Designer jobs near me

7. Stocking Jobs

   Average Annual Salary: $29,983

   If you don’t mind lifting some heavier items, try stocking jobs. Most retail stores need third-shift workers to restock their shelves with products to sell.

   You don’t have to interact with customers in this role, and you get the satisfaction of creating neat and orderly displays. However, avoid second- and third-shift stocking roles if you know you need plenty of sleep to manage your anxiety.

   Find Stocker jobs near me

8. Cosmetologist

   Average Annual Salary: $37,122

   Cutting hair, administering facials, and painting nails can be a great low-stress job for people with anxiety.

   While you can’t avoid all stress in this role, if you find the right salon, you can enjoy having limited interactions with customers while being surrounded by coworkers who support you.

   Find Cosmetologist jobs near me

Best low-stress work-from-home jobs

1. Transcriptionist

   Average Annual Salary: $28,930

   Transcription is a low-stress job without a lot of social interaction, but you’ll need good typing and listening skills to be successful.

   Being a transcriptionist involves listening to audio and typing out the words you hear. It’s in high demand in the fields of journalism, law, and medicine, as they often have a lot of recordings they need written down.

   Find Transcriptionist jobs near me

2. Data Entry Clerk

   Average Annual Salary: $31,582

   Data entry may not be the most exciting job in the world, but that may be a plus if you’re managing anxiety and looking for a low-stress job.

   A data entry clerk manually inputs or updates company data. Almost every large business requires this kind of work, so there’s a lot of demand for workers who have basic computer skills and a fast typing speed.

   Find Data Entry Clerk jobs near me

3. Virtual English Teacher

   Average Annual Salary: $53,915

   If you have anxiety but love working with kids, being an online English teacher might be the perfect fit. Many of these remote teaching jobs involve teaching students in Asia, so you’ll have to wake up pretty early for work.

   However, it gives you some fun, low-pressure social interaction to start your day. Plus, you don’t have to worry as much about classroom management in an online setting. If you want even more flexibility in your schedule, consider looking for a role as a remote English tutor.

   Find English Teacher jobs near me

4. Web Developer

   Average Annual Salary: $78,975

   Web development can be a very lucrative line of work without too much stress, making it a great option if you’re looking for a job that you can do while managing your anxiety.

   Web developers build websites for clients who contract them or work directly for a company. You’ll need some skills in HTML/CSS and JavaScript, but it’s a job you can do independently a lot of the time.

   Find Web Developer jobs near me

5. Video Editor

   Average Annual Salary: $51,131

   If you love the film industry but want a low-stress job, consider video editing. Video editors are unique in the film production process, as they’re the only ones who can work from home and without much social interaction.

   Video marketing is becoming more popular each year, and companies need video editors to help them do this. As a result, you’ll still need to work with clients, but you’ll have a lot of freedom over how you do your job. You’ll need some skills with video editing software and creativity to get started.

   Find Video Editor jobs near me

6. Virtual Assistant

   Average Annual Salary: $39,915

   This low-key work-from-home job requires some social interaction, but still less than your standard office assistant job.

   You’ll have to schedule appointments, file records, answer calls, compose emails, distribute documents, and respond to inquiries. But with the right organizational, written communication, and computer skills, you’ll succeed as a virtual assistant.

   Find Virtual Assistant jobs near me

What to look for in a low-stress job

When looking for a low-stress job that helps you manage your anxiety, pay attention to the flexibility and particular responsibilities each one provides.

1. Flexibility

   The best type of low-stress job is one that can be flexible according to your needs. The term flexibility is extremely broad and may mean different things to different people, so consider what it means to you.

   For example, do you need a part-time job so you can be guaranteed plenty of time to recharge? Or a role that allows you to pick when and how much you work so you can take time off whenever you need to? Consider these options as you search.

   If you deal with anxiety, look for a job that gives you personal space within the workday and a work-life balance so you can take time off to recharge your batteries, whatever that may look like.

2. A Lack of Anxiety-Inducing Triggers

   Consider what makes you the most nervous about landing a new job. Is it interacting with customers, keeping up with your to-do list, or managing finances?

   Whatever is causing your anxiety, try your best to identify it and then consider jobs that do not require those skills. For example, if commuting makes you anxious, you may be better suited for a work-from-home job or one that offers remote work part-time.

   Or, if you’re worried about the number of responsibilities you need to manage, you may be better suited for a retail job that does not require after-hours responsibilities. If managing a team makes you nervous, you may be better off working as a postal worker or delivery driver.

Low-stress jobs FAQ

1. What is a good career for someone with anxiety and depression?

   A good career for someone who has anxiety or depression would be a writer, librarian, or graphic designer. Not everyone with anxiety and depression will have the same symptoms and triggers, so it’s important to know and understand what yours are. Focus on what your strengths are and any positive traits to help you find what you want to do.

   After knowing what triggers your anxiety or depression, look at the specifics of the job and anything that may trigger your symptoms is a job to stay away from.

2. What are some calm jobs?

   Some calm jobs include:

   • Librarian

   • Data entry clerk

   • Landscaper

   • School bus driver

3. Can I get social security disability for anxiety?

   Yes, you may be eligible for disability, anxiety can be considered a disability if you have well-documented evidence that it impacts your ability to work. If you meet the medical requirements outlined by the SSA’s Blue Book, you will likely be deemed as disabled and can get disability for anxiety.

4. Is anxiety a form of mental illness?

   Yes, anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders. Anxiety disorders affect nearly 30% of adults at some point during their lives. There are a number of effective treatments for anxiety disorders that can help people lead normal and productive lives.

Final thoughts

If you thought that there are no jobs available for someone with anxiety, hopefully, this article helped put your mind at ease. There are many jobs that can be a great fit for someone with anxiety, especially social anxiety.

If you have anxiety, you may look for work-from-home jobs so that you can avoid hectic office life. But don’t overlook some jobs just because they are not work-from-home. Some jobs can be flexible or have space to create private spheres within the workspace.

If you are still feeling stressed and anxious after this article, take a moment to sit back and remember: There are many options out there and this article can help you find one that fits your needs perfectly. And if you need help relaxing before the interview, here are a few ways to conquer interview anxiety.

References

1. Hers – 7 Best Jobs for Someone With Anxiety and Depression

2. Financebuzz – These 30 Low-Stress Jobs Pay Over $100,000 a Year

3. Disability Benefits Help – Can I Get Social Security Disability for Anxiety?

Author

Heidi Cope

Heidi Cope is a former writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog. Her writing focused primarily on Zippia's suite of rankings and general career advice. After leaving Zippia, Heidi joined The Mighty as a writer and editor, among other positions. She received her BS from UNC Charlotte in German Studies.