20 jobs that cause the most burnout in 2025

Burnout is one of the most common challenges people are facing in 2025. Characterised by chronic stress, loss of inspiration, emotional detachment and exhaustion, burnout is a significant problem to take care of at the earliest.

It must be emphasized here that burnout is no longer limited to corporate employees only. It spans a number of different industries, from paramedics to CEOs. Let’s take a look at 20 jobs that cause the most burnout. To broaden your search, check this article on hardest jobs in 2025.

20 jobs that cause the most burnout

1. Doctors and surgeons

Healthcare professionals, including doctors and surgeons, face life-or-death decisions on a regular basis. Surgeons are often required to put in efforts for 12-16 hours at a stretch.

2. Nurses and paramedics

There is no denying that nurses and paramedics are part of one of the most difficult jobs in 2025. The combination of long hours and immense responsibility makes things challenging.

3. Social helpers

People in this profession are required to constantly handle fragile cases, including abuse, addiction and family crises. The emotional burden here is no joke.

4. Teachers

Teachers across the globe are under a lot of pressure all the time to meet educational standards, manage large classrooms and address the different needs of their students.

5. IT employees

IT engineers in different parts of the globe, especially those part of the artificial intelligence and cybersecurity industries, are facing a lot of challenges these days.

6. Journalists

Journalists are often required to meet tight deadlines. These people also face a lot of danger, especially those operating in conflict zones.

7. CEOs and managers

You might think that people at the topmost positions in a company enjoy a chilled-out setting. It isn’t so. These professionals also need to make a lot of important decisions.

8. Retail salespersons

Retail jobs often include less salaries, long hours and demanding customers. These salespersons are often required to stay on their feet for the entire day.

9. Legal personnel

People operating in the legal field need to meet tight deadlines, court appearances and client demands. This profession can cause a lot of burnout.

10. Customer care

People in this field need to be on the frontline of addressing the different needs of their customers, including complaints and unrealistic expectations.

11. Financial accountants

Yes. There are plenty of accountants in different parts of the globe toiling hard for 12-14 hours each day. There are tight deadlines, attention to detail and a lot of pressure.

12. Pilots

Pilots in different airlines are required to remain alert for long flights. Their sleep schedules could be really irregular and they take responsibility for hundreds of passengers.

13. Military personnel

I cannot emphasize enough that military personnel are part of one of the most demanding and difficult jobs. The long separation from families and dangerous missions add to the challenge.

14. Farmers

Farmers in different countries need to address unpredictable atmospheric conditions, long hours of hard labour and a lot of financial uncertainties.

15. Therapists and counselors

Mental health professionals, such as therapists and counselors, constantly listen to the trauma details of their patients. This could cause compassion fatigue.

16. Event planners

Event planning is mostly about juggling multiple tasks under tight deadlines. One mistake can easily spoil one’s mood or ruin the occasion completely.

17. Hotel staff and chefs

Hotel staff and chefs are often required to toil hard for long hours and remain under constant pressure to present the best possible results.

18. Flight attendants

Flight attendants need to manage a lot of challenges, such as irregular hours, jet lag and demanding passengers. The need to maintain professionalism is high.

19. Police officers

Police officers in different countries often need to operate unpredictable shifts and be prone to constant danger, public scrutiny and stressful situations.

20. Creative professionals

Keeping the elephant in the room for last. Creative professionals, such as artists and authors, face tight deadlines, creative blocks and pressure to be at the top of the game.

Jobs that cause the most burnout in 2025: Frequently asked questions

1. Do healthcare professionals face burnout?

They do. Healthcare professionals, such as doctors, surgeons, nurses and paramedics, are required to handle long hours of serious efforts and make split-second decisions frequently. This is a highly demanding job often compared to dangerous jobs and can cause a lot of burnout.

2. Can organisations do something to help their employees facing burnout?

They can and they should. Companies and organisations across the globe should focus on realistic demands, mental health access, flexibility and supportive leadership. In the end, an organisation needs to make its employees feel valued and protected and aligned with Labour rights.