Comparing Risks in Occupations

New Jersey readers might think that jobs with higher risks tend to pay better. However, it is important to understand that the pay may not be as high as some believe and being injured on the job can lead to permanent disability or even death. Therefore, it is necessary to weigh the potentially better pay against the higher risks involved in some jobs. A recent article discussed how well some of the more dangerous jobs pay.

Working in the fishing industry may be dangerous because in 2012, there were 32 deaths in the small group of workers. Statistically, that makes employees in the fishing industry 36 times more likely to be injured when compared to an occupation with an average risk factor. The median pay is just under $37,000 annually, and the most common cause of death for anglers is vessel disaster.

However, experts seem to agree that the most dangerous occupation involves individuals who drive vehicles while transporting goods. The fatality rate is 22.1 per 100,000 workers, and on average, the pay is between approximately $27,500 and just under $41,000. As this shows, while some jobs may be exciting or offer adventure, they might not always pay significantly more than jobs that offer a safer work environment.

Regardless of occupation, most workers who have been injured at their place of employment should be able to receive worker’s compensation payments and other benefits. The benefits often cover lost wages, medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. It may also be possible to have the expenses of training for a new job covered if the worker is unable to return to the same line of work due to the injury.

Source: Wall Street Cheat Sheet, “Price of Risk: How Well Do the 5 Most Dangerous Jobs Pay?“, Erika Rawes, June 28, 2014