18 Best Jobs For People With Anxiety

Are you the type of person who struggles to get motivated for work in the morning? Do you get a feeling of anxiety, or are you depressed just by the thought of having to go to work every day?

If you feel an overwhelming sense of panic just by thinking about going to the office, you should know that you are not alone.

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Individuals who suffer from anxiety, particularly severe anxiety, see menial tasks as insurmountable obstacles that they would prefer not to deal with.

There are times when just waking up and heading to work every day is a great victory for anxiety sufferers. This then begs the question: what is a great job for someone suffering from a social anxiety disorder?

Jobs that could induce panic attacks are out of the question if you ever discover that you have anxiety symptoms, such as constant nerves.

For instance, a customer service job that puts you in direct contact with customers is a job you should steer clear of.

Likewise, working as a police officer or in a restaurant as a server definitely wouldn’t count as a low-stress job.

Choosing the right job opportunity is important if you have an anxiety disorder because the general dread of having to head to work begins to dissipate if you pick the right type of job.

If you are searching for the best jobs for people with anxiety, this article is for you. I’ve taken the time to list what I believe are great jobs for those who want as little social interaction as possible or those who require a low-key environment. Let’s dive in.

1. Blogger / Content marketer

Having social anxiety and being an introvert might cause you to prefer working from home. The perfect job is as a blogger.

Bloggers own websites and earn money by promoting products, partnering with brands, selling their own digital products and services, and more.

It’s called ‘content marketing’ officially, but blogging is a more well-known term.

A decade ago when I worked at an office, my anxiety would get unbearable just from having to be around so many people every day.

Fortunately, my anxiety is next to none nowadays, now that I work online, blogging as my own boss.

If you want a low-stress, creative and chill job, with no cap on how much you can earn, consider blogging!

Check out my free class on everything you need to get started as a blogger, and why it’s an awesome job for people with anxiety!

2. Virtual Assistant

This is another great job for people with anxiety because again, you get to work from home. As a virtual assistant, you can offer various niche services, such as replying to emails, creating graphics, managing social media, and more.

Virtual assistants are becoming very popular these days, especially due to the changing nature of the workplace. To do well, you need to be detail-oriented, reliable, self-motivated, skilled in written communication, and disciplined.

In most cases, virtual assistants work within a schedule, making sure the work is done before the deadlines.

Depending on your skill set, you have an earning potential between $25 and $100 per hour. This is a field where you don’t need any specific degree.

3. Photographer

As a photographer, you might discover that you can manage your anxiety better behind the camera. By design, this job requires you to take the back seat putting your clients in front of the lens, which can be great for people with generalized anxiety disorder.

You will need to be creative and adept in problem-solving to handle issues such as overall composition, background, and foreground, poses, and lighting.

Concentrating on these technical issues can help you to focus on the task at hand over the day. While you might need to interact with others, you will discover that you are mostly in charge because people tend to comply with the directions you give as a photographer.

If taking portraits is a bit too much for your social anxiety, you could choose to explore job opportunities as a stock photographer. As a stock photographer, you take pictures and license those pictures in publications to be used by others.

While you don’t need a college degree to be a photographer, getting some form of training can benefit your journey. As a photographer, you can earn an average salary of $65,500 a year.

4. Accountant

Accountants help companies and individuals ensure their financial statements are not only accurate but in compliance with the necessary regulations. While you will have to work with others as an accountant, you can do the bulk of your work independently and ultimately avoid possible social anxiety triggers.

To be an accountant, most employers require a bachelor’s degree in accounting or any related field. However, some employers prefer a CPA or Certified Public Accountant credential.

Accountants earn an average yearly salary of $71,550, with growth in the demand for accountants rising by 6% in 10 years.

5. Computer Programmer

This career immerses you in computer codes. You’ll either be writing code or correcting errors in specific program codes.

Being a computer programmer requires concentration, and that means you will have long periods where you are working alone. This helps to limit other roles or duties, such as giving presentations or engaging with customers.

As a computer programmer, employers generally value your attention span and analytical skills over your communication skills. Working as a programmer can even provide a bit of relief from any bouts of anxiety.

Developing and debugging complicated software can distract your mind from any external issues you might have. Solving any code issues can act as a small but meaningful victory, helping you feel fulfilled and useful at work.

Depending on the job, you may have strict deadlines but you can try to find a company to work for that is more relaxed.

Typically, you will need a bachelor’s or associate degree in computer science, but you can become a computer programmer through other means. On average, you can earn $63,940 as a computer programmer.

6. Video Editor

A video editor cuts and edits the raw footage into a cohesive story or message. Video editors can work from their home computers using specialized film editing software.

You will need to meet deadlines but otherwise, it’s a low-stress job that lets you focus.

To be a video editor, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in film production. You can earn an average yearly salary of $42,800.

7. Cosmetologist

Choosing to work in the cosmetology field as an aesthetician, hairstylist, or makeup artist can help you change that narrative that all eyes are on you. The main aim of such a job is to ensure all the attention is directed to your subject.

At the same time, you can enjoy a bit of the glory associated with creating a well-made face or beautiful hairstyle. One of the benefits of following this career path is that it provides you with a way to channel your creative prowess.

This is a perfect job for those with social anxiety because it enables them to engage their creative abilities. All art forms have been shown to reduce anxiety, which means the entire process of designing a hairstyle or putting together a makeup palette can calm and relax you.

As a cosmetologist, you simply need a high school diploma as well as a training certificate. You can look to earn an average yearly salary of $35,990 working as a cosmetologist.

8. Veterinarian

If you have discovered that it is much easier for you to socialize with animals than with people, or you enjoy taking care of pets, you may as well consider a career as a veterinarian, vet tech, dog trainer, dog walker, or veterinary assistant.

Studies have shown that playing with and petting animals can release oxytocin into the body, cutting down the production of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.

This means that working with animals has the ability to not only lower your stress levels but also help you connect better with other humans. To be a veterinarian, you will need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine post-graduate degree.

9. Counselor

Working as a counselor might be the last job anyone with a mental health condition will want to consider. How can you work on a job requiring you to talk to others every day when you have anxiety issues?

As a counselor, you just talk to one individual at a time. Since you understand how generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety can affect the quality of one’s life and relationships, you are uniquely qualified to help others in their bid to cope with anxiety.

Before you choose this career path, you should be able to thrive despite your anxiety. Once you learn what works for you, you can pass on this information to others, teaching them how to overcome it.

To be a counselor, you will need to have a master’s degree in psychology, and you can expect to earn an average annual salary of $58,423.

10. Librarian

This career is a great fit for those that love books and love spending time surrounded by them. While it does involve a bit of social interaction, it does help that you are helping people find learning resources and books.

Also, with this job, you are less likely to become tongue-tied, which could exacerbate your anxiety.

Having a passion for knowledge, reading, and helping others can push you forward when social interactions need to happen. But, on average, you can earn a salary of $57,100, and you need a master’s degree in library and information science to land this job.

11. Graphic Designer or Freelance Writer

Many people who study and take a career path in the liberal arts end up with the option to work remotely. When you work remotely, the bulk of your interactions tend to happen over the internet.

If you have decent organizational skills and consider yourself a self-starter, this could be the career path for you.

Before getting a job as a freelancer, it is important to consider the pros and cons of becoming one. For one, you can start off slowly getting a feel for the freelancer market before getting a higher degree in English.

If you are more artistic than you are great at stringing words together, you might want to consider a career as a graphic designer. It can be a great way for those with generalized anxiety to be gainfully employed.

The bulk of your duties as a graphic designer will take place in front of a computer, and you can find freelance opportunities over the internet.

On average, for both roles, you can earn a yearly salary of $49,600. While you can become a freelance writer without a degree, your chances are improved if you have a bachelor’s degree in English.

12. Gardener or Landscaper

Engaging in physical activity has been known to help lower the effects of a panic disorder. For this reason, it makes perfect sense to get a job as a gardener or a landscaper, as it can be a natural way to alleviate anxiety and improve your mental health.

Getting out of a stuffy office or your home right into the outdoors has helped numerous individuals unwind. The most effective way to spend time outside in nature every day is to choose a career path that actually requires it.

Channeling your creative mind to design gardens using your hands can improve the symptoms of anxiety. If the benefit sounds like something you would enjoy but are not sure you can deal with weather fluctuations or the physical demands of landscaping, you might want to consider becoming a florist.

Typically, you only need a high school diploma, and on average, you can take home a yearly salary of $25,400.

13. Personal Trainer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will likely be a jump of almost 30,000 new personal trainers working in the US. This comes down to the public’s ever-growing interest in pursuing healthy lifestyles.

Jumping into this career can ensure you are one of the thousands that help people follow through on their New Year’s resolutions.

While being a personal trainer does require some social interaction, the bulk of it tends to happen on a one-on-one basis. This means that you can have the space and time to develop a rapport with every one of your clients.

By design, you won’t be in the limelight, plus remaining active and physically fit can be a great way to lessen your anxiety. On average, you just need an associate’s degree and can earn $43,540 annually.

14. Pharmacy Technician

While most individuals might view having anxiety as an affliction, there are scenarios where it can act as a silver lining. People with anxiety usually fixate on minute details, which can be a wonderful quality to have as a pharmacy technician.

While the pharmacist handles the majority of the human interaction, the pharmacy technician’s role is behind the scenes ensuring that every bit of medication given out is properly measured.

With a keen eye for detail, a pharmacy technician can package the right amount of medication, carefully labeling them and filing away private patient information. The role is by no means monotonous as you can engage in different activities every day.

This can ensure your work life stays fresh. To be a pharmacy technician, you need to have at least an associate’s degree in pharmacy. The role can earn you a yearly salary of $40,000.

15. Driver or Mechanic

Some individuals suffering from an anxiety disorder might benefit from engaging in one form of physical work or another. It’s beneficial since it helps calm the mind and body better.

In addition, these types of jobs are great for individuals who prefer to work with their hands and would rather not have their brains over-stimulated.

If you happen to fall into this category, then you might want to steer clear of any office-type job. You should choose a career path that lets you work with your hands, such as an automotive mechanic.

Considering that fewer and fewer people choose to engage in hands-on trade, the demand for mechanics is high.

Another career path in this industry that challenges the body and the mind is becoming an aircraft mechanic. Regardless of what job you choose, you will be able to channel your anxieties into something wholly productive and allow you to work most of the time independently.

On average, a mechanic can earn about $42,830 a year, and you will need to have either a college degree in automotive technology or trade certifications.

If you prefer to drive these vehicles rather than work on them, you could get a job as a commercial truck driver. As a commercial truck driver, you can earn up to $67,000 a year. Asides from that, you also get the benefit of getting to see the country while working.

16. Technology Expert

It doesn’t matter if you distribute and implement software or create websites; any job in the technology industry can be a great fit for those who suffer from anxiety. This is because the bulk of the tasks completed during the day are done mostly independently and in front of a computer.

While there will be some human interaction, particularly with clients and coworkers through telephone and email, it is unlikely that you will have sustained direct human interaction.

To become a technology expert, you will need an analytically sharp brain. For this reason, computer programmers, developers, and engineers often earn over six figures after gaining experience in the industry.

Speaking of salaries, you can earn an average salary of $60,000 in one of the many job opportunities in tech, particularly if you are naturally great with computers. Having a bachelor’s degree in computer science can place you in front of the pack. However, you can also be self-taught.

17. Long-Term Care or Outpatient Dietitian

This is a great job for those who love reading about the latest and greatest superfoods and those who love to cook. There are vast arrays of organizations you can work at, from a grocery store to a hospital.

But considering that you might have generalized social anxiety, a hospital might not be the best place to work. Nevertheless, it is possible to serve others in that capacity while steering clear of the typical hectic pace associated with most hospitals, especially large health facilities.

Working as an outpatient dietician can help you combine your abilities, passions, and skills. Once you obtain a college degree in nutrition as well as a master’s degree, and any other qualifications to become a registered dietitian, you can search for work in private outpatient centers such as a doctor’s office.

You could also explore other opportunities by working in a long-term care facility for people with disabilities or older individuals. As a registered dietician at an outpatient facility, you can earn an average salary of $69,000 per year.

18. Medical Technologist

The medical technology field continues to grow at a fast rate according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Considering just how promising this job opportunity is, a career as a medical technologist can be a great fit for a social anxiety sufferer.

While roles as an ultrasound technician or radiology technician require you to directly speak with patients, the primary focus of these roles is on the equipment that diagnoses and helps treat patients.

This means you will spend most of your time concentrating and engaging the piece of technology right in front of you and less time having human interaction that might make you uncomfortable.

Not only do you get to have little social interaction, but you also get the extra benefit of doing your part to make a difference in someone’s life. Moreover, medical technologists have been known to make five figures, although this depends on the chosen field.

The average salary for a medical technologist is $34,700. To become one, you will need a bachelor’s degree in life sciences.