Outdoor Jobs Most Exposed to Dangerous Heat

By Evan Comen  •  June 9, 2026
a man working on a roof with a power drill
Photo by Raze Solar on Unsplash

With extreme heat already scorching parts of the 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.

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.

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
a group of men standing on top of a construction site
Photo by Glenov Brankovic on Unsplash

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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