With so much talk about the lack of good jobs today, it may be surprising that there are some exceptional opportunities within the health care field. Not only are there quality career opportunities – many are less stressful than jobs in other areas of employment. Although not often a primary consideration of most job hunters, a stressful workplace can lead to job dissatisfaction and be a primary cause of high turnover for employers. Among the many attractions the health care field offers are generally pleasant working conditions, above average salaries and opportunities for both career longevity and advancement. All of these conditions contribute to greater worker satisfaction and higher productivity. There is much to like in this field, and with the advancing numbers of baby boomers, the call for motivated and bright job seekers will continue. These rankings were based on data and statistics gathered by CareerCast’s JobsRated team. They compared 11 different causes of stress, which included: travel, potential for growth, deadlines, possible risks, physical requirements, and environmental factors. Here are healthcare jobs that ranked as the 10 Least Stressful Jobs for 2012: 9. Chiropractor Average Salary:$ 67,200 Stress Score:13.50 Chiropractic practice continues to grow and do well in the U.S. and Canada. Chiropractors are frequently being called upon to help patients that desire more natural treatment regimens. Aside from helping many patients in chronic pain, they are often able to plan natural healing programs for patients through dietary improvements and nutritional supplements, including vitamins and supplements. Chiropractors work in pleasant environments and help patients suffering from pain and a variety of other ailments through manipulations of the major joints and spine. 8. Occupational Therapist Average Salary:$ 72,320 Stress Score:13.10 Job growth is expected to be terrific in this career field for the foreseeable future. This is especially true for those who choose to specialize in care of the elderly. Occupational therapists are highly valued in providing patients with higher levels of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Other specializations can include providing care for clients with specific mental and physical ailments. This career path is also leading to supervisory positions, so solid growth exists for this job opportunity. 7. Pathologist Average Salary:$ 66,920 Stress Score:12.42 People entering this field are assured a broad spectrum of job opportunities and many great career options for the future. Many of the postings can often place you in a position of consulting with physicians and other caregivers. These clinicians intensively study diseases and their treatments and cures. The work of these professionals is often exciting and challenging. It can include everything from performing autopsies to growth into directing pathology departments in schools, hospitals and clinics. 6. Dental Hygienist Average Salary:$ 68,250 Stress Score:12.089 Dental hygienists are often the first people patients meet in dental practices. The work is fulfilling for those that like to meet people and multitask well. Their duties are often varied and directly support the dentist. Typical areas of responsibility include assisting the dentist with patient care, as well as properly caring for surgical instruments and office management. Some of the specific responsibilities vary, but this career is rewarding and never boring. Growth expectations continue to be steady for this choice. 5. Dental Laboratory Technician Average Salary:$ 35,140 Stress Score:11.81 Dental laboratory technicians are the artisans of creating and making reparations to dentures, crowns and many other replacement prosthetics. They perform work according to instructions given by dentists. In this specialty, you may work with man-made materials like plaster, porcelain and plastic. You might even be a specialist and work with metals like gold and surgical steel. They use a wide variety of laboratory equipment which includes hand tools for fine cutting and shaping. Among the many rewards of this profession are knowing that you help others to be able to smile. Working conditions are ideal and comfortable. Salary projections continue to improve for this highly skilled occupation. 4. Dietitian Average Salary:$ 53,250 Stress Score:10.27 Dietitians are becoming more popular every day. They even make the news occasionally by advising Hollywood types in how to lose and gain weight properly for roles. They create diets for patients and have an even larger responsibility in educating everyone about the merits of a proper nutrition. With so much study and research about proper nutrition, this field is wide open to those who want to help others manage weight and control disease by guiding patients in the right foods to eat. Gaining experience in this field gives you a bright future and the skills to fight disease at its most basic level. 3. Audiologist Average Salary:$ 66,660 Stress Score:9.37 Audiologists gain their rewards through knowing they help people to regain hearing or prevent hearing loss. They have the training and skills to work with people who have all sorts of hearing and related ear problems. Their field of expertise deals with many issues within all age groups involving symptoms of hearing loss and other auditory, balance and related problems. Working conditions are optimal. The work settings are professional and growth for this area is considered among the highest in the health care field. Audiologists use a wide array of computer and technical equipment to evaluate and diagnose ear or balance disorders. 2. Medical Laboratory Technician Average Salary:$ 36,280 Stress Score:9.33 One of the highest areas of growth in the health industry is in the area of medical laboratory technicians. As more ways of treating disease and other health care issues are found, more people with this specialty are needed. This career path has become more specialized as new care and treatment options are found, so the opportunities for growth will only improve. Technicians have an important role as they perform many of the tests ordered during treatment by physicians and other caregivers in medical and hospital facilities. They primarily examine and study bodily fluids and cells. The work is always done in controlled temperature environments and is fast-paced, pleasant work aimed at helping others. 1. Medical Records Technician Average Salary:$ 32,350 Stress Score:7.52 As health care grows, so does the need for medical records technicians. These are the chief organizers responsible for collating, dispensing and managing patients' health information. The job calls for good attention to detail and organization, but is done in comfortable working conditions. Advancement also takes place rapidly in this field. Technicians are charged with ensuring the quality and accuracy of all patient health data. Since the role is vital to the health-care process, they will often communicate directly with primary caregivers and other health care professionals. Career and income growth happens nearly as fast as technology changes. Read Also: Top 5 Fun Careers In Medicine And Their Salaries What Personality Characteristics Should A Doctor Have? 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