10 Best Jobs For People With Anxiety
Finding the right job that works for you may be challenging when you’re managing anxiety. From crowded offices to time-sensitive tasks and even constant notifications, anxiety can take many forms that may be difficult for people to understand. Thankfully, work culture has improved over the decades to make room for good jobs for people with anxiety so that everyone can receive equal opportunities to thrive in their passions and careers.
Anxiety can be challenging to manage, but it doesn’t define who we are or who we can potentially be, especially in the workplace. Here, we’ll explore a range of jobs ideally suited for those who want to join the workforce while navigating anxiety. These are listed based on their scope of work, flexibility, and low-stress environments, including requirements and salaries1 that may align with your individual needs and goals.
Please note this is a sample of jobs that may be suitable, but you are not limited to these roles. Please reach out to your employment coach to work out what is suitable to your individual situation.
1. Data Entry
If you enjoy creating a sense of order, then working as a data entry specialist may be a good fit. In this role, you input and organise data on your company’s databases to help businesses run smoothly. Some companies also offer the flexibility for people in this role to work from home.
Requirements: High school diploma or GED
Average salary range: $56,550 to $68,215 per year
2. Computer Programmer
In the digital world, coding can be rewarding. Many employers pay impressive wages for computer programmers to write, modify, and test codes to improve or create new software. The occupation involves working remotely and with limited social interaction which is an ideal job setup for people with social anxiety.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer and Information Technology or a related field
Average salary range: $90,000 to $115,919 per year
3. Librarian
Library jobs are perfect for anxious people who feel overstimulated by crowds and noisy environments. Since libraries try to maintain low decibel levels, workers don’t have to stress out about constant social interaction. While some positions require advanced degrees, you could also apply for entry-level jobs that involve managing the circulation desk, cataloguing books, and answering patrons’ questions.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree of Library Science or Information Science, higher-level positions may require a Master of Library and Information Science and other professional certifications
Average salary range: $78,215 to $102,383 per year
4. Gardener
One of the best jobs for people living with anxiety is gardening. Gardening is excellent for individuals who feel anxious staying indoors or in enclosed spaces for too long. Spending time outside can do wonders to reduce stress. Gardeners are responsible for cultivating and nurturing various plants, flowers, and trees. Whether planting or mowing lawns, the refreshing air and sunshine can boost your mood and keep stress levels low.
Requirements: None
Average salary range: $55,508 to $75,000 per year
5. Writer
A writer’s job may be perfect for people who prefer to work independently. Writers often freelance from home, accomplishing tasks such as composing, proofreading, or editing reading materials like blog posts, online articles, technical documents, and book-length pieces like novels and how-to guides.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in either English, Communications or Journalism. A master’s degree is required for some specialised writing fields
Average salary range: $84,694 to $146,224 per year
6. Graphic Designer
A graphic designer career is perfect for people who enjoy creative work such as designing logos, illustrations, editing, or putting together social media images and presentations. Creating art can also be a therapeutic outlet whenever you feel anxious from overthinking or feeling overwhelmed. Like writers, graphic designers can also freelance from home or anywhere they prefer.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Arts or Design. Professional certifications related to the field are optional
Average salary range: $75,000 to $109,151 per year
7. Delivery Driver
If you have a valid driver’s licence and good driving history, working as a delivery driver can be one of the best jobs for people with social anxiety. The job is often performed alone, delivering products from one location to another with minimal social interaction. However, there are instances when delivery drivers work in pairs, especially when the goods they handle are large and heavy.
Requirements: Driving licence, clean driving record, some jobs may require a commercial driving licence
Average salary range: $54,334 to $70,843 per year
8. Accountant
For some, working with numbers can be intimidating or even exhausting. But for people with anxiety, accounting jobs can offer a rewarding aspect to dealing with the complex rules of maths. An accountant reviews budgets and taxes, audits companies and businesses, as well as many other financial and data tasks that require evaluation.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or in any related field, accounting certification
Average salary range: $79,595 to $118,862 per year
9. Lab Technician
For those who enjoyed chemistry and biology classes, being a lab technician might be the next best thing. As a lab technician, you get to work in a clinical lab with different types of equipment, testing a variety of fluids for viruses and bacteria. This type of job doesn’t involve much interaction, and you’ll get to help with medical cases behind the scenes.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree and professional licence in Medical Technology
Average salary range: $66,513 to $105,000 per year
10. Pet Care Professional
Interacting with animals can do wonders for our health. According to some studies, being around animals can help decrease stress levels, lower blood pressure and boost your mood.1 Pet care professionals provide pets with short-term care such as feeding, walking or grooming them while the pet owners are away. If you love animals, working as a pet care professional may be a perfect fit.
Requirements: High school diploma or GED, some positions may require certifications especially if they involve grooming or specialised care
Average salary range: $56,414 per year to $75,750 per year
More Jobs for People With Anxiety
1. House Painter
House painting is one of the low-key construction jobs that are great for people with social anxiety. You can make old houses look clean and new again with fresh coats of paint and earn a respectable salary.
2. Photographer
Working as a photographer enables you to do creative work while giving yourself enough distance for interaction and avoiding overthinking when you’re feeling anxious. You could explore different crafts such as portrait work, animal photography, product photography or even photojournalism.
3. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants help businesses by performing a variety of tasks from remote locations. The scope of work can go from answering calls and emails, and organising calendars, to data entries, reports and even social media marketing.
4. Baker
If you appreciate early hours and pastries, this may be the job for you. Bakers assist in the production of breads, cakes, bagels and other delectable items. They may work in commercial kitchens, high-end patisseries or local eateries.
5. Landscape Designer
Landscape designers improve land surrounding buildings for homes, businesses, and organisations. From creating CAD designs on computers to exploring nurseries for the perfect plants, it’s a good job that allows people with anxiety to explore creativity while enjoying time outside.
6. Massage Therapist
Unlike other medical professions, massage therapy doesn’t require as much training while still being part of the vital healthcare field. The job involves physical therapy through kneading and manipulating a person’s muscles to alleviate migraines, reduce stress, and improve circulation.
7. Radiology Technician
Most medical careers involve a lot of social interaction, however, a radiology technician job may work for people with social anxiety. The role requires taking patient X-rays and handling medical records without facing high-stress medical situations.
8. Wind Turbine Technician
Working as a wind turbine technician could be worth exploring if you enjoy mechanical tasks and tall structures. The task requires maintaining and fixing wind turbines, which is perfect for people who enjoy visiting the countryside.
9. Land Surveyor
Working as a land surveyor could be one of the best jobs for people with anxiety as it involves minimal interaction and spending time outdoors instead of crowded, busy offices. These professionals produce maps, source land boundaries, and update property documents.
10. Online Instructor
If you enjoy mentoring others but find face-to-face classes overwhelming, teaching online might be a good compromise. Tech tools and gadgets make it possible for us to interact with students while managing how much we communicate over email or messaging.
Jobs to Avoid for People with Anxiety
For many people living with anxiety, working high-pressure jobs can be unsuitable for their mental health and well-being. This list shares different occupations that may be considered highly stressful jobs for people with anxiety, and to better understand the work involved to navigate suitable career paths that meet their workplace needs.
1. Medical Professional
Medical professionals like doctors and nurses have high-pressure jobs that require them to manage several cases, healthcare emergencies, as well as stressed patients and their family members. It can be a demanding and stressful job for people with severe anxiety.
2. Teacher
While schools can offer a sense of set structure, responding to daily challenges in teaching face-to-face classes can be unpredictable and overwhelming especially when interacting with students, their parents, and even other administrators.
3. Flight Attendant
If you have a fear of heights, small spaces and social interaction, being a flight attendant may be one of the worst jobs for people with anxiety. This line of work involves taking on several different roles simultaneously and possessing high organisation skills and extreme flexibility.
4. Personal Assistant
Being a personal assistant requires you to take on a variety of tasks that will best assist your employer such as calendar management, travel arrangements, and collating and filing expenses. Depending on your scope of work and employer, you may need to be on call for requests or crisis management which can be triggering if you experience anxiety from time-sensitive challenges.
5. Human Resources Manager
For people living with social anxiety, working as an HR representative may sound like a nightmare. An HR manager’s work involves several interactions with employees to enforce policies, resolve conflicts, inform terminations as well as responding to emergencies on a moment’s notice.
6. Journalist
Journalism is a demanding career field with high-stress, pressure, and uncertainty. It’s a challenging job for people living with social anxiety as it requires communicating with people constantly and handling more work with less assistance.
7. First Responder
First responder jobs can be listed as the worst jobs for people with severe anxiety. From emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to firefighters, and police officers, these roles have to manage demanding, ever-changing high-stress environments where lives are often on the line.
8. Food Service Work
Food service work is a fast-paced, competitive and high-pressure environment where chefs, waitstaff, and others meet various demands in running food businesses, and dealing with food critics and difficult clients.
9. Sales Representative
Working as a sales representative is another entry on our list as one of the worst jobs for people with anxiety. Sales representatives constantly have to interact with customers as well as personnel from other businesses and engage in heated negotiations with customers and clients.
Let us Help You Find Your Dream Job
While there are many lists of the best and worst jobs for people with anxiety, it shouldn’t discourage you from applying to jobs that you feel are suitable for your workplace needs. Feeling unsure about certain roles is normal, which is why seeking guidance from disability employment service providers like Nexus can be the first step.
Nexus has a team of disability employment consultants, mentors, and counsellors who understand your challenges and can help you navigate your job choices to bring you closer to your career goals. With support, you can thrive in jobs that prioritise your well-being and professional growth. Find what jobs work best for you by meeting with a disability employment consultant today.
FAQ
1. Can people with severe social anxiety work?
Yes, people living with severe social anxiety disorder (SAD) can still work. While SAD can affect your work performance and relationships with office peers and supervisors, it is still possible for you to work around them by communicating your workplace needs.
2. Can someone with anxiety be successful?
Yes, people living with anxiety can have successful careers. This is because high-functioning anxiety can typically propel a person forward rather than leaving them frozen in fear. As a result, someone living with anxiety can appear to do well if that success is measured by work achievements.
3. What if I can't work because of anxiety?
If you are unable to work due to severe anxiety, you may take some time off to take care of yourself. It is also encouraged that you seek counselling to better understand and manage your stressors.
Having someone at work who knows about your anxiety can also be comforting. Knowing you have a support system might ease some of the stress and fear. If you are completely unable to work in your current job, you may want to explore low-stress jobs for people with anxiety and see if it’s a fit for you.