The Scariest Jobs Ranked by Phobia – Reader Beware!

The Scariest Jobs if You Have Aerophobia

Aerophobia is the fear of flying, which means boarding a plane might feel like stepping onto a roller coaster ride you didn't sign up for. If just the thought of turbulence has you clenching the armrests and reciting the safety instructions, then aerophobia leaves you grounded - literally!

Pilot

Humans have been breaking gravity's bonds for more than 110 years now, but there are still plenty of folks who think no good can come from a metal object filled with people and fuel zipping through the air. Pilots, on the other hand, spend their careers taking off, landing and cruising the skies in between.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Extensive training, quick decision-making skills, excellent vision, and the ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations.

Salary range:$96,424 - $214,702 per year

Find pilot jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather keep your feet firmly on the ground? A less scary job that is still a part of the aviation world but doesn't require you to fly could be an air traffic controller.

Find air traffic controller jobs on Monster.

Flight Attendant

For those with a fear of flying, working in a cramped metal tube 35,000 feet above ground probably sounds like a horror movie. Flight attendants spend extremely long hours in the sky, managing everything from in-flight services to safety procedures. They must remain calm and composed - even when faced with turbulence, emergencies, or passengers with aerophobia of their own.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Excellent customer service skills, the ability to stay calm under pressure, and a willingness to spend most of your workday in the clouds.

Salary range:$15.76 - $28.65 per hour

Find flight attendant jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather travel without ever having to take off or land? Become a train driver.

Find train driver jobs on Monster.

Oil Rig Driver

Yes, the job says "driver", but oil rig drivers frequently travel to remote offshore rigs by helicopter. That means turbulence, crosswinds, and the terrifying thought of being stranded miles out at sea. Combine a fear of heights with a fear of flying and you've got the perfect recipe for one of the scariest jobs inducing cold sweats and clenched teeth during every commute.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A commercial driver's license, the ability to work in isolated conditions, and a high tolerance for helicopter flights that might feel more like thrill rides.

Salary range:$16.80 - $31.17 per hour

Find oil rig driver jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather help organize shipments and manage oil rig operations without ever having to leave solid ground? Try a job as an office-based logistics coordinator.

Find logistics coordinator jobs on Monster.

The Scariest Jobs if You Have Astraphobia

Astraphobia is the fear of thunder and lightning, turning every stormy night into a horror movie. If a rumble in the distance makes you dive under the covers faster than a kid dodges bedtime, then you know the struggle of feeling like Mother Nature is after you.

Meteorologist

Thunderclouds make some people tremble, but meteorologists truly see a silver lining. This job is usually performed indoors, but meteorologists also do a fair amount of fieldwork. Some even play the role of storm chasers when severe weather and tornadoes are in their area.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻

Job requirements: A degree in meteorology, a passion for weather science, and a brave heart for facing storms head-on.

Salary range:$69,198 - $165,201 per year

Find meteorologist jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather observe weather patterns from afar instead of in the eye of the storm? Try a less scary job like a weather presenter or broadcaster.

Find weather presenter jobs on Monster.

Storm Chaser

A career in storm chasing is definitely not for the faint of heart - or anyone who wants to avoid getting struck by lightning. These brave (or perhaps slightly crazy) folks actively pursue severe weather systems, documenting tornadoes, hurricanes, and intense thunderstorms to study them up close and gather scientific data. Imagine being in a vehicle racing alongside a twister - one of the scariest jobs for sure.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Background in meteorology, comfortable with taking risks, and the ability to make split-second decisions while staring down a tornado.

Salary range:$69,198 - $165,201 per year

Find storm chaser jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather be involved in storm research but from the safety of a computer screen? Try looking into a career as a weather data analyst.

Find weather data analyst jobs on Monster.

Alaskan Crab Hunter

Alaskan crab hunters brave the stormy, ice-cold waters of the Bearing Sea to haul in crab pots. The job involves working on a slippery deck in some of the most violent weather conditions imaginable. It's cold, it's wet, and every passing storm feels like it's going to flip your boat upside down.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Physical strength, the ability to withstand freezing temperatures, and a willingness to face bone-chilling storms at sea.

Salary range:$28,297 - $63,294 per year

Find Alaskan crab fishing jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather sell crabs from behind the counter instead of hauling them during a hurricane? Check out a job as a fishmonger.

Find fishmonger jobs on Monster.

The Scariest Jobs if You Have Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia is the fear of small, enclosed spaces. It makes elevators and windowless rooms feel more like trap doors to another dimension. If the idea of being squished between people in a crowded subway has you gasping for air, then you've just found your worst nightmare: a tight space with no escape plan!

Elevator Mechanic

Elevator mechanics build, install, and maintain the tiny boxes that cruise up and down giant buildings all day and night, transporting people through a narrow shaft, and depositing them at their chosen floor. If tight quarters with no natural light have you clambering to find an escape route, it's best to take the stairs and avoid these types of scary jobs.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Comfortable working in tight spaces, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to keep calm under pressure when every direction is "wall."

Salary range:$20.09 - $31.58 per hour

Find elevator mechanic jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather have a career in open, airy environments? Check out jobs in landscaping or architecture with a focus on spacious designs.

Find landscape designer jobs on Monster.

Miner

Working miles underground in a cramped, dark tunnel would be terrifying for most people, but if you have claustrophobia it's an absolute no-go. Miners spend their days in deep shafts, often squeezing through tight spaces and dealing with the constant risk of cave-ins and getting trapped. You have to be comfortable working in darkness, with heavy machinery, and with very little wiggle room. Definitely one of the scariest jobs out there.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Physical strength, the ability to work in complete darkness, and a high tolerance for small spaces.

Salary range:$18.23 - $34.69 per hour

Find miner jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather study the earth's resources from the surface? Maybe a career as a geologist is a better match.

Find geologist jobs on Monster.

Cryonics Technician

Cryonics technicians spend their time in small, freezing labs preserving bodies in tight, controlled chambers. The job involves meticulously maintaining cryogenic tanks and requires navigating into tight spaces to make adjustments and repairs. If the thought of getting locked in a freezer makes you hyperventilate, working in this environment is not the coolest option.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A background in biology or chemistry, attention to detail, and zero aversion to cramped spaces and sub-zero temperatures.

Salary range:$57,652 - $120,095 per year

Find cryonics technician jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather work with cooling systems in open spaces like homes or office buildings instead of futuristic body freezers? A job as a HVAC installer might suit you more.

Find HVAC installer jobs on Monster.

The Scariest Jobs if You Have Entomophobia

Entomophobia is the fear of insects. If a buzzing bee makes you run faster than an Olympic sprinter or a tiny spider has you jump onto furniture like it's a life-or-death situation, then you know the struggle. For entomophobes every bug is an unwelcome guest.

Exterminator

This is one of the creepy jobs that deals with actual creepy-crawlies. The roles of exterminator and pest control technician potentially offer a degree of revenge for those who are bugged by bugs. Since the work often involves getting down and dirty in tight spots where insects live and nest, you can't get freaked out by the little things.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A high tolerance for bugs, knowledge of pesticides, and a good sense of where to find hidden infestations.

Salary range:$34,300 - $46,261 per year

Find exterminator jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather have your insects behind glass? Consider working in a science museum or study entomology in a lab, far away from any unexpected skittering.

Find museum educator jobs on Monster.

Forensic Entomologist

If the sight of a cockroach sends you running, you'll want to steer clear of forensic entomology. This is one of the scariest jobs where specialists study insects to solve crimes, using creepy crawlers like flies, beetles, and maggots to determine time of death and other forensic details. It's a fascinating role but involves getting up close and personal with bugs found on decaying bodies. Yikes!

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A degree in entomology or forensic science, the willingness to examine insects under less-than-ideal conditions, and a strong stomach.

Salary range:$41,233 - $96,767 per year

Find entomologist jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather interact with software bugs? Try going for a software manager job. No fieldwork - just you and your computer.

Find software manager jobs on Monster.

Field Epidemiologist

As a field epidemiologist you travel to outbreak sites to study how diseases spread. That often means working in regions where insects like mosquitoes, ticks, and other creepy-crawlies thrive. Whether you're tracking malaria in the jungle or handling mosquitoes in a swamp, this role means bug bites, bug spray, and a lot of buzzing in your ears.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A degree in public health or biology, a passion for stopping pandemics, and the ability to endure mosquito bites without losing your cool.

Salary range:$64,237 - $117,623 per year

Find field epidemiologist jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather make a difference in disease control from a safe, bug-free office setting? A health policy analyst would be perfect for you.

Find health policy analyst jobs on Monster.

The Scariest Jobs if You Have Glossophobia

Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. Standing in front of a crowd might feel like preparing for a wrestling match with an invisible opponent. If the thought of speaking in public makes your heart race faster than when you overdosed on coffee, then you know what it's like to have the case of the "talking jitters."

Teacher

Classrooms are the stage where teachers have to win over an audience all day, every day. There’s no time to freeze up when there's 30 or so young faces looking to you for lessons every hour of the school day. And of course there are PTA meetings and parent-teacher conferences to speak at.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻

Job requirements: Excellent communication skills, patience, and the ability to engage and motivate people of all ages.

Salary range:$51,285 - $76,704 per year

Find teacher jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather share your expertise without face-to-face interaction? Consider less scary jobs like curriculum developer or online content writer.

Find curriculum designer jobs on Monster.

Political Organizer

Politicians spend their careers speaking in front of large audiences, debating, and being in the public eye 24/7. For those with a fear of public speaking, the idea of giving speeches, facing tough questions, and being scrutinized on live television would be panic inducing. Every word is dissected, and every misstep could be displayed - one of the scariest jobs for sure.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Charisma, strong communication skills, quick thinking, and the ability to handle criticism gracefully.

Salary range:$41,501 - $60,575 per year

Find political organizer jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather shape decisions and strategies behind the scenes? Maybe a career as a political researcher suits you better.

Find political researcher jobs on Monster.

Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychologists spend a lot of time testifying in court, explaining complex psychological concepts to judges, lawyers, and sometimes entire juries. It's high-pressure public speaking with legal consequences. If you get tongue-tied in front of an audience, speaking in a courtroom full of serious faces looking at you can make your palms sweat just thinking about it.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Salary range:$66,871 - $115,520 per year

Find forensic psychologist jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather analyze behavior but have your findings published in papers? A career as a research psychologist might be just right for you.

Find research psychologist jobs on Monster.

The Scariest Jobs if You Have Hemophobia

Hemophobia is the fear of blood, which means even a paper cut might send you into a dramatic fainting spell. If the sight of a simple band-aid makes you feel like you've stumbled onto a horror movie set, then you've got a serious case of hemophobia.

Phlebotomist

Scary jobs that deal with blood? No, thank you! The sight of a mere drop of blood can be enough to cause some people to faint. But phlebotomists - medical technicians who draw patients' blood for tests, transfusions, donations or research - see more blood in a day than all horror movie villains see in a year.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Steady hands, an eye for veins, and the ability to reassure nervous patients while handling needles and blood samples.

Salary range:$15.34 - $22.05 per hour

Find phlebotomist jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather handle data and test results without the need to actually draw blood yourself? A career as a lab technician could be the right fit for you.

Find lab technician jobs on Monster.

Surgeon

If a few drops of blood make you queasy, imagine spending hours in an operating room where it's all around you. Surgeons must be completely comfortable with blood, open wounds, and complex medical procedures. They're under constant pressure to perform life-saving operations without flinching - without a doubt one of the scariest jobs out there.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Extensive medical training, steady hands, and a stomach of steel.

Salary range:$143,836 - $331,916 per year

Find surgeon jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather impact healthcare decisions without any of the gory details? A job as a health educator might be more up your alley.

Find health educator jobs on Monster.

The Scariest Jobs if You Have Mysophobia

Mysophobia is the fear of germs. Shaking hands is basically like signing a contract for a one-way ticket to germ hell. If you're the person who carries hand sanitizer like it's a magic potion and avoid touching anything in public, then you're probably living your best mysophobic life.

Microbiologist

Microbiologists embrace what mysophobes don't want to hear - germs are everywhere, but not all of them are out to get you. Although tight lab-safety rules are a standard precaution, microbiologists spend their working hours getting up close and personal with bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A degree in biology or microbiology, attention to detail, and a strong stomach.

Salary range:$66,788 - $114,050 per year

Find microbiologist jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather ensure that companies comply with all the laws and regulations pertaining to their products with no exposure to germs? A less scary job as a regulatory affairs specialist might be a great career for you.

Find regulatory affairs specialist jobs on Monster.

Sanitation Worker

Sanitation workers are on the front lines of keeping our environment clean, but their work involves coming into contact with all sorts of germs, garbage, and hazardous waste. For someone who's constantly worried about contamination, spending the day handling trash and possibly encountering everything from spoiled food to sharp objects is a nightmare. Therefore this ranks high on the list of scariest jobs.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Physical strength, the ability to stay safe and sanitary even in dirty conditions, and a strong stomach.

Salary range:$14.06 - $20.87 per hour

Find sanitation worker jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather make cities cleaner without handling the grime firsthand? Check out careers as an urban planner.

Find urban planner jobs on Monster.

Toxicologist

Handling hazardous chemicals and testing potentially dangerous substances in a lab is not exactly ideal for anyone who cringes at the thought of contamination. Toxicologists deal with everything from industrial chemicals to pathogens, and that means strict safety protocols and a whole lot of handwashing.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A background in chemistry or pharmacology, lab experience, and a careful approach to avoid spills, splashes, and accidental exposure.

Salary range: $65,1237 - $151,156 per year

Find toxicologist jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather prevent contamination while you get to wear a clean suit and advise from a distance? A career as a safety inspector might be right for you.

Find safety inspector jobs on Monster.

The Scariest Jobs if You Have Podophobia

Podophobia is the fear of feet. Even a cute pair of slippers might send you into a panic. If the sight of someone's bare toes make you feel like you've just walked into a horror movie, you're officially on high alert for any feet-related encounters.

Podiatrist

This one may sound a little odd, but yes, there are people for whom the sight of feet - even their own - is the source of serious unease. This is not the case for podiatrists, who are medical doctors that specialize in treating people's feet.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Medical degree in podiatry, steady hands, and a tolerance for, well, feet.

Salary range: The median salary for a podiatrist is $117,261 per year.

Find podiatrist jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather work on the human body without focusing on toes? Consider a career in physical therapy or sports medicine.

Find physical therapist jobs on Monster.

Nail Technician

If feet make you cringe, imagine having to spend your entire workday scrubbing, clipping, and painting toes of all shapes and sizes. Pedicurists handle everything from dry skin to calluses, and sometimes even minor infections. For anyone with a foot aversion, this is one of the scariest jobs that's definitely not a walk in the park.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Steady hands, attention to detail, and the ability to make feet look and smell better.

Salary range: The median salary for a nail technician is $20.44 per hour.

Find nail technician jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather create flawless faces instead of dealing with chipped nail polish? Look into a career as a makeup artist.

Find makeup artist jobs on Monster.

The Scariest Jobs if You Have Vehophobia

Vehophobia is the fear of driving. Even a trip to the grocery store might feel like preparing for a high-speed chase in an action movie. If the thought of getting behind the wheel makes you break out in a cold sweat, you're officially vehophobic and might want to invest in a good pair of walking shoes.

Truck Driver

The anxiety of being behind the wheel can cause some people to freeze up so completely that they avoid driving altogether. Then there are the road warriors: truck drivers. They're on the road so much - whether it's open highway or traffic-choked city streets - that driving is second nature.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻

Job requirements: A commercial driver's license, excellent navigation skills, and the ability to stay focused for long periods.

Salary range:$24,493 - $66,392 per year

Find truck driver jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather help coordinate drivers instead of getting behind the wheel yourself? Consider working in logistics or dispatch.

Find dispatch manager jobs on Monster.

Delivery Driver

The daily grind of navigating traffic, backing into tight spaces, and dealing with unpredictable drivers can feel like a nightmare for anyone with vehophobia. Delivery drivers are constantly behind the wheel, rushing to meet deadlines and keeping up with route changes. Whether you're delivering pizzas or packages, this is one of the scariest jobs that involves lots of time on the road, often in stressful conditions.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A valid driver's license, excellent time management skills, and the ability to stay calm in heavy traffic and bad weather.

Salary range:$27,703 - $38,844 per year

Find delivery driver jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather organize and handle packages from a warehouse without ever getting behind the wheel? Look into a job as an inventory clerk!

Find inventory clerk jobs on Monster.

Police Driver

High-speed chases, driving through traffic at breakneck speeds, and the constant threat of collisions make this job a vehophobe's worst nightmare. It's not just regular driving - it's adrenaline-pumping police driving with flashing lights and sirens adding to the chaos.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A clean driving record, quick reflexes, and the ability to make split-second decisions while navigating through traffic.

Salary range:$46,402 - $93,322 per year

Find police driver jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather play a critical role in public safety by directing drivers instead of being in the driver's seat? A career as a police dispatcher would be a perfect fit for you!

Find police dispatcher jobs on Monster.

The Scariest Jobs if You Have Thanatophobia

Thanatophobia is the fear of death. Even a friendly chat about your bucket list could have you spiraling into a full-on existential crisis. If you find yourself dodging discussions about mortality and opting for comedies just to keep the grim reaper at distance, you're fully embracing the thanatophobic way of life.

Embalmer

Morticians and funeral directors work directly with the deceased, preparing bodies for burial or cremation. For anyone with a fear of death, handling cadavers, embalming, and speaking with grieving families could be incredibly unsettling.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: Strong emotional resilience, comfort around the deceased, and the ability to provide compassionate service.

Salary range:$46,027 - $87,728 per year

Find embalmer jobs on Monster

Safe alternative: Rather support people through loss without direct involvement in the funeral process? Look into a less scary job as a grief counselor.

Find grief counselor jobs on Monster.

Hospice Nurse

Hospice nurses provide compassionate care for patients at the end of their lives, ensuring comfort and dignity during their final days. While incredibly rewarding, the role requires a strong emotional backbone, as it involves dealing with terminal illnesses, grief, and death on a daily basis. For someone with a fear of death, this environment can be deeply unsettling and emotionally taxing.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A nursing degree, strong clinical skills, empathy, and the emotional resilience to support both patients and family through the dying process.

Salary range: $52,095 - $92,123 per year

Find hospice nurse jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather promote community health and prevent illness by educating the public? Maybe a career as a public health nurse suits you better.

Find public health nurse jobs on Monster.

Pathologist

As a pathologist you are the detective of the medical world, solving the mysteries of how people died by performing autopsies and analyzing tissue. For someone with a fear of death, being elbow-deep in the aftermath would be enough to make you want to switch to a desk job or quit medicine altogether. Definitely one of the scariest jobs ever.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A medical degree, steady hands, and a strong stomach for the sights and smells that come with the job.

Salary range:$90,021 - $337,284 per year

Find pathologist jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather make a huge impact in healthcare without having to deal with post-mortem bodies? Maybe a job as a medical researcher fits you better.

Find medical researcher jobs on Monster.

Taxidermist

Taxidermists make dead animals look alive. When you think about it, it's pretty spooky even without a fear of death. From skinning to preserving and posing lifeless animals in oddly lifelike positions, this job is not for the squeamish or for anyone who's already uncomfortable around lifeless things. It's like playing with Frankenstein's monster - but with squirrels.

Scare-O-Meter: 👻👻👻👻

Job requirements: A steady hand, artistic talent, a solid grasp of anatomy, and the ability to handle dead things without screaming.

Salary range: $31,468 - $54,509 per year

Find taxidermist jobs on Monster.

Safe alternative: Rather focus on documenting and displaying already-stuffed animals instead of doing the taxidermy yourself? A job as a museum curator might be a great fit.

Find museum curator jobs on Monster.

There's a Monster Behind You

Whether or not our scariest jobs are your jam, finding work can scare the pants off anyone. We get it if you'd rather brave a pit of vipers than face a job search. Luckily, this Monster is here to help. Sign up for a free Monster profile today, receive a free resume review, and connect with recruiters. Turn on job alerts to help make the process a lot less terrifying.