10 Stressful Texas Jobs That Will Wreck Your Nerves and Your Sleep Schedule

Everything’s bigger in Texas, including our stress levels. In fact, a recent report shows the Lone Star State is one of the most stressed in the nation, landing at No. 10 overall. Why? Long work hours, brutal commutes, high costs, and a work ethic that says “rest is for the weak."

My Job Is Stressful, But Fails In Comparison

Now, don’t get me wrong, my job in radio comes with its own brand of chaos. I’ve got deadlines, live shows, articles like this to write, and of course, the impromptu meetings – all stressful in their own right. But landing a plane in a thunderstorm in Texas, saving lives, protecting communities, or working an 18-hour day in the oilfield is a completely different kind of stress.

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That said, I thought it’d be fun (and eye-opening) to spotlight some of the most stressful jobs in Texas — the careers that keep the state running while keeping people’s cortisol levels off the charts.

Scroll through the gallery below to see what jobs are cranking the pressure to 11, and what makes each one a guaranteed sweat-fest. From air traffic controllers to commercial truck drivers, these Texans earn every penny... and probably need a hug. Or at least a cold one and a nap.

So next time you're stuck in traffic, grumbling about emails or your coffee going cold, just remember that somewhere out there in Texas, someone’s landing planes, hauling freight across four counties, or wrangling high schoolers with nothing but a dry-erase marker and hope.

Mad respect to the folks holding it down in these high-stress roles. If your job made the list, crack open a cold one because you’ve earned it.