25 Most Dangerous Jobs in America
In 1970, there were 14,000 workplace deaths in a year. That year, acting president Richard Nixon and Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This act set standards and enforce safety in the workplace. This act was literally lifesaving as over the years, that number has dropped to less than 5,200 workplace deaths in 2016. While this number is impressive, some industries are still very dangerous.

There are only 3.6 deaths for every 100,000 full-time workers in the public and private sectors. However, that number does take into account teachers and administrators that have very little physical ramifications if an error occurs. Some industries however, mistakes can be fatal.
24/7 Wall St. researched workplace fatality rates by their occupation and were able to listed the top 25 most dangerous jobs. Most of these industries listed in the top 25 use of heavy machinery, high potential of slips and falls, contact with hazardous substances or have employees being placed in potentially dangerous environments. These jobs have a fatality rate that are more than double the rate of all other occupations and in some cases, are over 20 times higher.
25. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 8.4 per 100,000 workers
Total: 37 fatal injuries, 6,830 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Falls, slips, and trips
Median annual wage: $45,910
24. Painters, construction and maintenance
Fatal injuries in 2016: 8.6 per 100,000 workers
Total: 50 fatal injuries, 3,530 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Falls, slips, and trips
Median annual wage: $37,570
23. Industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 9.3 per 100,000 workers
Total: 45 fatal injuries, 4,490 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Struck by object
Median annual wage: $49,080
22. Electricians
Fatal injuries in 2016: 10.0 per 100,000 workers
Total: 79 fatal injuries, 7,790 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Falls, slips, and trips
Median annual wage: $52,720
21. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Fatal injuries in 2016: 10.6 per 100,000 workers
Total: 39 fatal injuries, 4,750 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Overexertion and bodily reaction
Median annual wage: $45,890
20. Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 11.7 per 100,000 workers
Total: 29 fatal injuries, 4,250 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Overexertion and bodily reaction
Median annual wage: $31,440
19. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 12.1 per 100,000 workers
Total: 21 fatal injuries, 2,480 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Overexertion and bodily reaction
Median annual wage: $52,590
18. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and grounds keeping workers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 13.2 per 100,000 workers
Total: 30 fatal injuries, 1,320 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Overexertion and bodily reaction
Median annual wage: $45,740
17. Taxi drivers and chauffeurs
Fatal injuries in 2016: 13.2 per 100,000 workers
Total: 60 fatal injuries, 2,730 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Roadway incidents
Median annual wage: $24,300
16. Maintenance and repair workers, general
Fatal injuries in 2016: 13.4 per 100,000 workers
Total: 75 fatal injuries, 27,900 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Overexertion and bodily reaction
Median annual wage: $36,940
15. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 14.6 per 100,000 workers
Total: 21 fatal injuries, 1,710 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Overexertion and bodily reaction
Median annual wage: $68,010
14. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 14.6 per 100,000 workers
Total: 108 fatal injuries, 28,740 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Intentional injury by other person
Median annual wage: $59,680
13. Construction laborers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 15.1 per 100,000 workers
Total: 254 fatal injuries, 24,650 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Struck by object
Median annual wage: $33,430
12. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 15.7 per 100,000 workers
Total: 44 fatal injuries, 4,140 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Struck by object
Median annual wage: $63,540
11. Grounds maintenance workers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 17.4 per 100,000 workers
Total: 217 fatal injuries, 20,100 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Struck by object
Median annual wage: $26,830
10. Miscellaneous agricultural workers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 17.4 per 100,000 workers
Total: 156 fatal injuries, 12,710 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Struck by object
Median annual wage: $22,520
9. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 18.0 per 100,000 workers
Total: 134 fatal injuries, 6,090 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Falls, slips, and trips
Median annual wage: $62,980
8. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 23.1 per 100,000 workers
Total: 260 fatal injuries
Most common accident: Falls, slips, and trips
Median annual wage: $66,360
7. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 24.7 per 100,000 workers
Total: 918 fatal injuries, 80,180 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Overexertion and bodily reaction
Median annual wage: $36,670
6. Structural iron and steel workers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 25.1 per 100,000 workers
Total: 16 fatal injuries, 1,440 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Struck by object
Median annual wage: $51,800
5. Refuse and recyclable material collectors
Fatal injuries in 2016: 34.1 per 100,000 workers
Total: 31 fatal injuries, 6,170 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Falls, slips, and trips
Median annual wage: $35,270
4. Roofers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 48.6 per 100,000 workers
Total: 101 fatal injuries, 3,150 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Falls, slips, and trips
Median annual wage: $37,760
3. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 55.5 per 100,000 workers
Total: 75 fatal injuries, 470 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Overexertion and bodily reaction
Median annual wage: $105,720
2. Fishers and related fishing workers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 86.0 per 100,000 workers
Total: 24 fatal injuries
Most common accident: N/A
Median annual wage: $27,110
1. Logging workers
Fatal injuries in 2016: 135.9 per 100,000 workers
Total: 91 fatal injuries, 900 nonfatal injuries
Most common accident: Struck by object
Median annual wage: $37,590
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