16 Dangerous Jobs That Pay $100K or More
Danger can pay, and sometimes it pays big. In 2023, the U.S. saw 5,283 fatal work injuries, a rate of 3.5 per 100,000 workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This gallery covers 16 jobs that come with real danger but bring in at least $100K, or have the potential to, depending on where you are, your experience, and the demand.
👉 Tap through to see which dangerous roles make the cut!
Table of Contents
How These Jobs Were Selected
We used U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics fatality data along with salary information from BLS, industry reports, and job sites like Payscale and Glassdoor.
Only jobs where well-paying means $100K or more, or can reach that level, are included.
👉 Swipe to start viewing each dangerous job that pays well.
Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Petroleum Engineer
Working on rigs, on land or offshore, comes with heat, pressure, and isolation. A petroleum engineer can make a median salary of $137K, with experienced pros reaching well over $190K.
That pay reflects the level of technical expertise required and the risks involved in keeping production safe.
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Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Aircraft Pilot / Flight Engineer
Commanding an aircraft isn’t without risk. Mechanical failures, weather shifts, and emergencies are part of the job. Pilots and flight engineers typically earn between $100K and $200K.
The fatality rate sits around 35.9 per 100,000 workers, a reminder that high pay comes with high responsibility.
Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Commercial Fisherman
Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. Between 2000 and 2017, the fatality rate was more than 28 times the national average.
Rough seas, extreme weather, and heavy equipment are constant threats. For those who can handle the grind, a strong season can pull in $100K or more.
Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Power-line Installer / Repairer
Power-line installers often climb towers and poles while dealing with live electricity. Falls and electrocution are the biggest dangers, driving a fatality rate of around 19.5 per 100,000 workers.
The paycheck matches the risk, experienced linemen with overtime can earn well into six figures.
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Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Utility or Mining Electrician
Working with high-voltage systems in remote or hazardous environments requires skill and focus. Utility and mining electricians often operate under tough conditions, deep underground, around heavy equipment, or in remote energy facilities.
Many electricians in these roles earn $110K or more, with pay scaling higher based on specialization and location.
Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Crane Operator (Heavy Construction / Offshore)
Operating a crane requires precision and nerves. On average, there are 42 crane-related deaths per year, with over 50% of those involving workers struck by equipment or objects.
Senior crane operators in major markets or offshore rigs regularly earn $100K or more, with bonuses pushing totals even higher.
Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Underground Miner (Coal or Hard Rock)
Underground mines present hazards like rock falls, gas pockets, and explosions. Fatality rates hover near 20 per 100,000 workers.
Skilled miners, especially in coal and hard rock operations, can earn $100K to $200K, with hazard bonuses and overtime pushing pay even higher.
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Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Structural Iron & Steel Worker
Structural iron and steel workers operate at extreme heights, building the frameworks of skyscrapers and bridges. Falls and structural failures contribute to a fatality rate around 21.3 per 100,000.
The danger is reflected in the pay, experienced workers and foremen often earn six-figure incomes.
Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Commercial Roofer
Roofers face constant risk. The job has the fifth-highest work-related death rate in construction. Falls from heights remain the top hazard, along with heat stress and equipment mishaps.
While many roofers don’t break six figures, experienced commercial roofing foremen and contractors can reach $100K to $150K, especially on large industrial projects.
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Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Oil Rig Worker / Derrickman
Working on an oil rig combines physical strain with life-threatening hazards. Blowouts, heavy machinery, and extreme weather are just part of the daily reality.
Many derrickmen and rig workers take home six-figure salaries through high day rates and extended offshore rotations that include significant hazard bonuses.
Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Commercial Diver
Commercial divers operate in some of the most unforgiving environments on earth. Risks include drowning, equipment failure, decompression sickness, and marine hazards.
Those who specialize in underwater welding or oil rig maintenance often command $100K to $150K annually, with premium pay for dangerous or deep-sea assignments.
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Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Explosives Worker / Demolition Expert
Handling live explosives is as risky as it sounds. Demolition experts face potential blast accidents and structural collapses every time they set charges.
Certified professionals in this niche frequently make $100K or more, particularly on large-scale industrial or government projects that require advanced clearance and skill.
Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Tunnel Boring Machine Operator
Tunnel boring operators work in confined spaces surrounded by tons of earth and massive machinery. Cave-ins and equipment malfunctions pose serious risks.
Pay reflects that danger, TBM operators on major infrastructure projects often earn well over $100K, especially when working on complex urban tunnels or deep-bore projects.
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Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Firefighter Pilot / Smokejumper
Aerial firefighting and smokejumping push both machines and people to their limits. Flying into active fire zones or parachuting into remote areas carries immense risk.
Veteran smokejumpers and aerial firefighters can earn $100K or more when factoring in base pay, hazard bonuses, and overtime during peak wildfire seasons.
Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Lineman (High Voltage Transmission)
High-voltage linemen scale transmission towers and handle live electrical systems. Fatalities often result from falls or electrocution. Experienced linemen can earn $150K or more annually, with overtime and specialty contracts boosting their income.
The work is physically and mentally demanding, with little room for error.
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Dangerous Job That Pays Well: Bomb Squad / EOD Technician
Bomb squad technicians and EOD specialists work with live explosives under tight time pressure. Each call can be life or death. Civilian and federal EOD techs often earn $100K+ with base pay and hazard bonuses.
The mental and physical demands of the job make this one of the most intense high-paying roles around.
Dangerous Jobs That Pay Well: Is the Risk Worth the Reward?
Risk can buy you a great paycheck, but it also asks for something in return. Every job in this list comes with a cost, physical, mental, or both. These aren’t roles you step into casually.
The upside is real if you’ve got the skills and the mindset to match. The downside is always lurking, which is why the pay is what it is.
If you take this path, go in prepared, and know exactly what you’re trading for that six-figure income.
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