What Jobs Have the Worst Mortality Rates in the U.S.?

Learn which jobs are most deadly and how workers’ comp death benefits can help surviving families

What are the top 10 deadliest jobs in the U.S.?

Based on federal workplace fatality data from the BLS, the most dangerous jobs with the highest risk of death include:

1. Loggers. (52 deaths in 2023.) Logging is the deadliest job in the U.S. Workers face falling trees, unstable terrain, accidents with saws that lead to amputations, and remote job sites where emergency medical care is often delayed.
2. Fishing and hunting workers. (19 deaths in 2023.) These jobs involve hazardous vessels, rough seas, extreme weather (like hurricanes), long shifts, and a high risk of drowning or being struck by equipment while far from shore.
3. Roofers. (113 deaths in 2023.) Roofers work at significant heights, often with limited fall protection. Fatal injuries often result from falls, roof collapses, ladder failures, and contact with power lines. Since many roofers are classified as independent contractors, their families can be left without access to workers’ compensation benefits after a fatal accident.
4. Refuse and recyclable material collectors. (41 deaths in 2023.) These workers face serious risks from powerful compacting equipment that can cause crushing injuries, broken bones, or limb loss. They’re also vulnerable to being struck by passing vehicles while working in traffic-heavy areas with limited visibility, which can lead to severe head injuries, spinal trauma, or paralysis.
5. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers. (62 deaths in 2023.) Aviation fatalities are often tied to mechanical failures, weather conditions, pilot fatigue, and crashes during takeoff or landing, especially in small or commercial transport aircraft.
6. Construction workers. (16 deaths in 2023.) Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries overall. In 2023, about 20.8% of all workplace deaths occurred in construction, with falls, slips, and trips accounting for 38.5% of those fatalities. In fact, nearly half of all fatal falls nationwide occurred on construction sites.
7. Drivers. (984 deaths in 2023.) Truck drivers, public transit workers, UPS employees, FedEx employees, Amazon drivers, and EMTs are all at risk of serious injuries and death from work-related car accidents. Long hours on the road, distracted or impaired drivers, high-speed travel, and pressure to meet delivery deadlines all contribute to elevated fatal crash risks.
8. Grounds maintenance workers. (226 deaths in 2023.) These workers face dangers from lawn and tree equipment, falling branches, exposure to traffic, and heat-related illnesses, particularly during outdoor work in extreme temperatures.
9. Agricultural workers. (146 deaths in 2023.) Farming and agricultural jobs involve heightened risks from grain entrapment, heavy machinery, livestock, pesticide exposure, and long hours in hazardous conditions. In some states, including Georgia, migrant and seasonal farmworkers are excluded from mandatory workers’ compensation coverage, leaving families without benefits after a fatal injury.
10. Structural iron and steel workers. (9 deaths in 2023.) Iron, steel, and foundry workers often operate at extreme heights while handling heavy components. Burn injuries, falls, equipment failures, and crush injuries are common risks, particularly on large commercial and industrial projects.

What is the #1 cause of death in the workplace?

Transportation accidents are the leading cause of fatal work injuries in the U.S. According to the BLS, 1,942 workers were killed in job-related vehicle crashes in 2023 alone. 

These deaths include incidents involving commercial trucks, delivery vehicles, public transit, emergency responders, and other workers who spend significant time on the road.

Other major causes of workplace deaths in 2023 included:

Together, these causes account for the vast majority of fatal workplace injuries and highlight where safety risks remain most severe.

What benefits are workers entitled to after a serious or fatal injury at work?

After a workplace injury, workers and their families may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which are designed to provide financial support without requiring workers to prove their employers are at fault. 

The exact benefits vary by state but typically include the following:

• Medical benefits. Workers’ compensation covers all reasonable and necessary medical care related to the injury. This includes emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and long-term care for catastrophic injuries.
• Wage replacement benefits. When an injured worker cannot return to work, workers’ comp typically pays temporary disability benefits that replace a portion of lost wages. If the injury results in permanent limitations, permanent partial or permanent total disability benefits may apply, depending on the severity of the injury and the worker’s ability to earn income in the future.
• Vocational rehabilitation. If a worker cannot return to their prior job due to permanent injuries, workers’ comp may cover job retraining, education, or vocational services to help them transition into suitable employment.
• Death benefits. When a worker dies as a result of a job-related injury or occupational illness, death benefits are paid to surviving dependents. Death benefits commonly include:
  • Weekly or monthly income benefits paid to surviving spouses, children, or other qualifying dependents. These payments are usually based on a percentage of the worker’s average wages.
  • Funeral and burial expenses, up to a state-set maximum, to help families cover immediate costs after a fatal accident.

Please be aware that workers’ compensation laws include strict deadlines, eligibility rules, and exceptions. In fatal cases, disputes often arise over whether the death was work-related or who qualifies as a dependent.

Because death benefits can be the only financial lifeline for surviving family members, it’s crucial for families to understand their rights and seek legal guidance from a qualified workers’ compensation attorney if their benefits are denied or disputed.