The Least (and Most) Stressful Careers

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University professors and enlisted military personnel are at the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the stresses of the job, new research has found. In particular, that research found that professors endured little stress in their jobs, while military personnel were the most stressed workers.

To compile the list, CareerCast.com examined and rated more than 200 jobs based on the work environment, job competitiveness and risk of each of those jobs. 

"The field's high growth opportunities and minimal health risks in a low-stress, pleasant work environment makes the job of university professor the envy of many career professionals," said Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast.com.

Seamstress or tailor followed professor as the lowest-stress career. Medical records technician, jeweler and medical laboratory technician also were rated as low-stress careers by CareerCast. Other low-stress jobs included:                  

• Audiologists                                
• Dietitians                                  
• Hair stylists                                   
• Librarians                                        
• Drill press operators 

By contrast, jobs with the military made up the two most stressful careers on CareerCast's list: enlisted personnel, followed by generals. Firefighters, commercial airline pilots, and public relations executives followed as top high-stress careers. Other high-stress jobs included:       

• Senior corporate executives   
• Photojournalists
• Newspaper reporters             
• Taxi drivers
• Police officers    

This story was provided by BusinessNewsDaily, a sister site to LiveScience. Follow David Mielach on Twitter @D_M89 or BusinessNewsDaily @bndarticles. We're also on Facebook & Google+.