15 Low-Stress Jobs That Pay Well: Earn Over $100,000 Per Year Stress-Free

Work-life balance is important. With the stresses of everyday life, many are looking for jobs that pay well while still being stress-free. Certain courses have a high demand resulting in higher salaries, such as data science and engineering, while others are highly specialized, and the smaller number of qualified individuals means each of them can expect an annual pay upwards of $100,000.

Here are 15 of your options for low-stress jobs, their qualifications and the salary range to expect:

1. Purchasing Manager

Purchase managers are paid a yearly salary within the range of $108,456 to $138,469. With a median annual salary of $122,193, according to Salary.com, purchase managers focus on planning and directing activities of buyers purchasing materials, products and services on behalf of an organization. Purchase managers negotiate contracts with suppliers and work on developing strategies that reduce costs. They also maintain a record of items bought, the costs associated with the purchase, delivery details and overall inventory. You need a bachelor's degree and procurement experience to work as a purchasing manager.

2. Astronomer

Astronomers get a salary ranging from $61,910 to $208,000, with a median wage of $128,160 per year. They study celestial bodies such as stars, planets and galaxies. They also use ground-based and space-based equipment such as radio and optical telescopes.

Aside from being a low-stress job, it is also one of the most interesting jobs to try. Astronomers get to see neutron stars, black holes and other space phenomena. They also monitor space debris that could impact and interfere with space satellites. Astronomers in the academic field need post-doctoral training, but if you want to work as an assistant in observatories, you need a bachelor's degree in astronomy or related fields.

3. Chief Sustainability Officer

As a chief sustainability officer, your main role will be researching sustainability issues and communicating them to a company's management, shareholders, employees and customers. The role has a median annual salary of $232,696, with the range falling anywhere from $187,834 to $296,509. In this role, you will also develop, execute and monitor the effectiveness of initiatives related to sustainability issues, such as energy use, resource conservation, recycling and waste elimination. You will need a bachelor's degree in business or environmental science to become a chief sustainability officer. Advanced degrees may also be required in certain fields.

4. Chemical Engineer

As a chemical engineer, your job will revolve around designing chemical plant equipment and developing processes for the creation of products such as gas, plastic and cement. You may also design procedures for the use of people working around or near chemically reactive substances. You will need a bachelor's degree and relevant work experience, which will determine your salary on a scale from $62,730 to $187,430. The median salary for chemical engineers is $105,550. In Texas, chemical engineers earn above average, with a median salary of $132,660.

5. Data Scientist

As a data scientist, you can earn a median annual salary of $100,910 while working a job that takes note of business, financial and economic data. You will create reports for executives and stakeholders, but the most interesting part of this job is you get to recommend relevant data-driven actions for the business' success. Data scientists and business intelligence analysts earn anywhere from $52,950 to $165,230, depending on their relevant experience on top of the usual qualification, which is a bachelor's degree. According to Recruiter, data analysts are compensated most highly in California and make the most in the retail trade industry.

6. Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer-related jobs are some of the best examples of low-stress jobs that pay well. You can earn a median pay of $128,170 per year on a salary range of $77,100 to $208,000 working as a computer hardware engineer. Your job will revolve around researching, designing, developing and testing computer systems, prototypes and components such as processors, memory devices, routers and circuit boards for various industries.

You may also be involved in updating existing computer equipment to work with new software. There are opportunities in the commercial, industrial, scientific or military fields. To work as a computer hardware engineer, you need a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or other related studies.

7. Wind Energy Operations Manager

You can earn a median salary of $124,650 working as a manager, with the salary range anywhere from ​​$60,390 to $208,000. As a wind energy operations manager, your job involves managing the development of wind energy projects. The end-to-end role means you will be developing the project, assessing the energy usage, as well as managing engineering and costs related to each process. You will need a bachelor's degree in engineering or related fields to become a wind energy operations manager.

8. Marketing Manager

Marketing managers earn a median salary of $135,030 on a pay scale of $77,680 to $208,000 for a role that involves organizing and directing marketing policies and programs for a certain business or organization. You will look into the demand for products and services, identify potential customers and develop a pricing strategy that maximizes the profit of an organization while ensuring customer satisfaction. As a marketing professional, you will need a bachelor's degree in advertising, marketing, or other related fields.

9. Actuary

With an annual salary range from $83,550 to $151,060 and a median salary of $111,030 in 2020, you can work a low-stress job as an actuary in the insurance industry. Actuaries analyze the risk and probability of potential events, including accidents, sickness, disability and death. Using this data, they forecast the risks and liability for payment of future benefits. To become an actuary, you will need a bachelor's degree and further certification.

10. Economics Professor

Understanding economics can open doors for several low-stress jobs, including working as a professor teaching graduate or undergraduate students. Your lessons will revolve around concepts such as price theory and microeconomics. As part of the job, you will prepare course materials, give lectures and assignments, and grade coursework. You may need a graduate degree and some experience to be an economics professor and earn anywhere from $99,675 and $215,264, with the average salary being $124,313, according to Salary.com.

11. Materials Scientist

According to national estimates, materials scientists earn anywhere from $56,380 to $162,950 per year, with a median salary of $100,090 for a role that studies, researches and experiments on natural, synthetic and composite materials such as metals, alloys, rubber, semiconductors, ceramics and glass. The role includes finding ways to combine such materials and strengthening alloys or developing new materials for various applications. The position requires a graduate school degree such as a master's or a Ph.D. You will also need extensive experience to be considered for this low-stress job.

12. Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist

Working as a physical scientist can earn you a salary anywhere from $49,800 to $170,800, with the median at $104,100 for a role that analyzes data gathered by aircraft or satellites using remote sensing principles and methods. The data may be used to solve problems in various fields, including urban planning, homeland security and natural resource management. Remote sensing scientists or technologists may also be involved in creating new sensor systems or developing new analytical techniques in the field. To qualify for the position, you might need a graduate school education in a relevant degree, such as a master's, Ph.D., or M.D.

13. Environmental Economist

If you would like to work in a low-stress job but do not want to work as an economics professor, you can be an environmental economist, a role that is paid anywhere from $62,460 to $193,690 with a median annual salary of $105,630. This job entails researching about alternative fuel use and other relevant environmental topics. You will write academic articles forecasting the state of the economy, as well as assess the costs and benefits of policies and regulations that may impact the environment. To work as an environmental economist, you will likely need a master's degree, Ph.D., or law degree and work experience.

14. Mathematician

Mathematicians earn a median annual salary of $108,100 for a low-stress role that applies mathematical theories and computational techniques to solve problems in several fields. You may work in business, healthcare, engineering, or the sciences. You will also research algebra, geometry, probability or other mathematical concepts to report on relevant findings and develop mathematical models to determine the validity of data.

To work as a mathematician, you will need a bachelor's degree in mathematics or relevant fields, with many private industries requiring a master's degree, Ph.D., or M.D. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of mathematicians, as well as statisticians, see a projected growth that is faster than the 5% average for all occupations – 31% from 2021 to 2031.

15. Orthodontist

According to US News, an orthodontist's salary ranges from $150,250 to $208,000, with the median at $208,000 in 2020. As dental specialists, orthodontists focus on fixing misaligned teeth and bites. They examine a patient to evaluate and diagnose their teeth position and jaw development, then offer a variety of options that will correct their bite or straighten their crooked teeth. Orthodontists need to complete a bachelor's degree, four years of dental school and residence training that lasts anywhere from two to four years.