2017's most and least stressful jobs

While stress is unavoidable, there's no denying that some professions are more stressful than others.

With wellness rising up the priority list of today's workforce, those looking to take a breather in the fast paced work environment might want to avoid entering professions such as firefighter, airline pilot, events coordinator, and senior corporate executive.

According to CareerCast's 2017 Job Stress report, the professions above are some of the most stress-inducing jobs this year.

Evaluating 11 stress factors - including travel required; deadlines; working in the public eye; physical demands; own life at risk; life of others at risk; and meeting or interacting with the public at large - the report placed enlisted military personnel at the very top of the list of stressful jobs.

Followed by firefighter, airline pilot, police officer, and event coordinator, rounding up the top five.

Here are the 10 most stressful jobs of 2017:

1. Enlisted military personnel

Stress Score: 72.74

Median Salary: $27,936*

Growth Outlook: N/A

*Source: United States Army. Refers to E4 Specialist or Corporal with 4 years of experience

2. Firefighter

Stress Score: 72.68

Median Salary: $45,870

Growth Outlook: 5 per cent

3. Airline pilot

Stress Score: 60.54

Median Salary: $102,520

Growth Outlook: 5 per cent

4. Police officer

Stress Score: 51.68

Median Salary: $60,270

Growth Outlook: 4 per cent

5. Event coordinator

Stress Score: 51.15

Median Salary: $46,840

Growth Outlook: 10 per cent

6. Newspaper reporter

Stress Score: 49.90

Median Salary: $36,360

Growth Outlook: -8 per cent

7. Corporate executive (senior)

Stress Score: 48.56

Median Salary: $102,690

Growth Outlook: 6 per cent

8. Public relations executive

Stress Score: 48.50

Median Salary: $104,140

Growth Outlook: 7 per cent

9. Taxi driver

Stress Score: 48.18

Median Salary: $23,510

Growth Outlook: 13 per cent

10. Broadcaster

Stress Score: 47.93

Median Salary: $37,720

Growth Outlook: -9 per cent

On-the-job stress can be caused by a variety of reasons. For example, in professions like firefighter, military and police officer, stress results from putting their lives at risk and being responsible for the lives of others.

Whereas in the cases of newspaper reporter and broadcaster, stress may be caused by working under tight deadlines, and the fear of lawsuits or layoffs.

"Even though they may be stressful, these professions are crucial to American's safety and democracy," says Kyle Kensing, online content editor, CareerCast.

"Firefighters, Military and Police Officers protect us, and Newspaper Reporters and Broadcasters have a big impact in showing us the truth amidst the trend of "'fake news'".

On the other hand, if wellness is top on your list of priorities, you might want to consider these least stressful jobs of 2017:

1. Diagnostic medical sonographer

Stress Score: 4.00

Median Salary: $63,630

Growth Outlook: 24 per cent

2. Compliance officer

Stress Score: 5.73

Median Salary: $65,640

Growth Outlook: 3 per cent

3. Hair stylist

Stress Score: 6.71

Median Salary: $23,710

Growth Outlook: 10 per cent

4. Audiologist

Stress Score: 7.31

Median Salary: $74,890

Growth Outlook: 29 per cent

5. University professor (tenured)

Stress Score: 8.17

Median Salary: $72,470

Growth Outlook: 13 per cent

6. Medical records technician

Stress Score: 8.57

Median Salary: $37,110

Growth Outlook: 15 per cent

7. Jeweler

Stress Score: 8.95

Median Salary: $37,060

Growth Outlook: -11 per cent

8. Operations research analyst

Stress Score: 9.02

Median Salary: $78,630

Growth Outlook: 30 per cent

9. Pharmacy technician

Stress Score: 9.10

Median Salary: $30,410

Growth Outlook: 9 per cent

10. Medical laboratory technician

Stress Score: 10.31

Median Salary: $50,550

Growth Outlook: 16 per cent

The smart HR professional’s blueprint for workforce strategy