As Temperatures Soar, These Outdoor Jobs Can Be Dangerous
https://climatecrisis247.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3053782-150x150.jpegThis week, large swaths of the United States are preparing for the first extreme heat event of the year. Temperatures are forecast to exceed 95°F in the next 72 hours in 32 counties, representing over six million Americans. In five counties, temperatures will reach over 100°F.
With extreme heat already scorching parts of the southern U.S. weeks ahead of schedule, the country is bracing for another summer of record-breaking temperatures — and for millions of workers, cooling off indoors isn’t an option. As climate change intensifies, the health risks of working outdoors are growing more severe, especially for those in physically demanding jobs exposed to the elements day in and day out.
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To determine the jobs most exposed to dangerous heat, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on job-related physical demands and environmental conditions for 500 occupations from the Occupational Requirements Survey program of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupations were ranked based on the percentage of workers who are regularly exposed to the outdoors. Supplemental data on the percentage of workers exposed to extreme heat and the average on-the-job weight lifting requirement is also from the ORS survey. Data on average annual wage and total employment are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
25. Aircraft cargo handling
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 95.0%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 0.5%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 58.3 lbs
- Annual average wage: $61,150
- Total U.S. employment: 7,950
24. Cement masons and concrete finishers
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 95.0%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 5.0%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 61.1 lbs
- Annual average wage: $53,890
- Total U.S. employment: 196,730
23. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 95.0%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 15.0%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 62.5 lbs
- Annual average wage: $69,410
- Total U.S. employment: 46,410
22. Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 95.0%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 28.5%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 53.2 lbs
- Annual average wage: $52,730
- Total U.S. employment: 41,470
21. Carpenters
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 95.3%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 2.1%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 52.7 lbs
- Annual average wage: $58,210
- Total U.S. employment: 689,770
20. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 96.2%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 3.6%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 58.0 lbs
- Annual average wage: $59,560
- Total U.S. employment: 158,350
19. Funeral attendants
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 96.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 0.5%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 32.1 lbs
- Annual average wage: $34,340
- Total U.S. employment: 32,950
18. First-line supervisors of fire fighting and prevention workers
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 96.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 78.6%
- Average weight lifting requirement: . lbs
- Annual average wage: $84,810
- Total U.S. employment: 84,040
17. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 96.9%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 18.5%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 66.6 lbs
- Annual average wage: $57,460
- Total U.S. employment: 374,770
16. Fire inspectors and investigators
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 97.1%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 53.1%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 65.2 lbs
- Annual average wage: $76,910
- Total U.S. employment: 14,510
15. Paramedics
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 97.4%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 13.2%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 97.0 lbs
- Annual average wage: $53,560
- Total U.S. employment: 95,440
14. Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 97.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 25.0%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 31.4 lbs
- Annual average wage: $104,190
- Total U.S. employment: 34,940
13. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 97.6%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 9.7%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 45.5 lbs
- Annual average wage: $57,780
- Total U.S. employment: 17,270
12. Insurance appraisers, auto damage
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 98.2%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 0.5%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 6.5 lbs
- Annual average wage: $71,580
- Total U.S. employment: 11,430
11. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 99.4%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 5.4%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 88.7 lbs
- Annual average wage: $71,380
- Total U.S. employment: 655,890
10. Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 99.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 0.5%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 117.1 lbs
- Annual average wage: $33,570
- Total U.S. employment: 9,910
9. Earth drillers, except oil and gas
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 99.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 0.5%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 44.9 lbs
- Annual average wage: $57,250
- Total U.S. employment: 19,010
8. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 99.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 4.7%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 46.0 lbs
- Annual average wage: $59,420
- Total U.S. employment: 423,040
7. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 99.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 5.0%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 65.8 lbs
- Annual average wage: $82,770
- Total U.S. employment: 119,510
6. Construction laborers
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 99.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 5.6%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 57.0 lbs
- Annual average wage: $46,350
- Total U.S. employment: 1,012,780
5. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 99.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 10.0%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 46.2 lbs
- Annual average wage: $37,270
- Total U.S. employment: 914,230
4. Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 99.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 10.0%
- Average weight lifting requirement: . lbs
- Annual average wage: $63,840
- Total U.S. employment: 18,600
3. Roofers
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 99.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 10.8%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 58.1 lbs
- Annual average wage: $51,910
- Total U.S. employment: 131,980
2. Highway maintenance workers
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 99.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 29.2%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 58.4 lbs
- Annual average wage: $45,790
- Total U.S. employment: 143,330
1. Firefighters
- Workers exposed to the outdoors: 99.5%
- Workers exposed to extreme heat: 96.8%
- Average weight lifting requirement: 126.4 lbs
- Annual average wage: $56,310
- Total U.S. employment: 321,450
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