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