The 10 Most Deadly Jobs for 2022

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Almost everyone complains about their job on occasion. But if you’re a logger, miner or truck driver, you might have greater concerns than most.

These are among the most dangerous jobs in America, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest annual report on fatal occupational injuries, which reflects data from 2020.

In total, there were 4,764 work-related deaths recorded in the United States that year — and that is the lowest annual number since 2013.

Transportation incidents accounted for 1,778 of those work-related deaths. These were, by far, the most frequent type, comprising 37.3% of all work-related deaths, though they were down from 2,122 in 2019.

Other causes for work-related deaths include falls, slips and trips; violence and other injuries by a person or animal; contact with objects and equipment, such as being struck by a falling object; and exposure to harmful substances or environments.

Following are the jobs that are most risky based on their fatal-injury rates.

For a look at the jobs with the highest rates of non-fatal incidents, check out “10 Jobs That Cause the Most Illness and Injury.”

10. Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers

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Fatal injury rate for this occupation: 20.9 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

Fatal injury rate across all occupations: 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

9. Underground mining machine operators

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Fatal injury rate for this occupation: 21.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

Fatal injury rate across all occupations: 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

8. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers

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Fatal injury rate for this occupation: 25.8 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

Fatal injury rate across all occupations: 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

7. Structural iron and steel workers

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Fatal injury rate for this occupation: 32.5 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

Fatal injury rate across all occupations: 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

6. Refuse and recyclable material collectors

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Fatal injury rate for this occupation: 33.1 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

Fatal injury rate across all occupations: 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

5. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers

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Fatal injury rate for this occupation: 34.3 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

Fatal injury rate across all occupations: 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

4. Helpers in construction trades

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Fatal injury rate for this occupation: 43.3 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

Fatal injury rate across all occupations: 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

3. Roofers

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Fatal injury rate for this occupation: 47 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

Fatal injury rate across all occupations: 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

2. Logging workers

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Fatal injury rate for this occupation: 91.7 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

Fatal injury rate across all occupations: 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

1. Fishing and hunting workers

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Fatal injury rate for this occupation: 132.1 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

Fatal injury rate across all occupations: 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers

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