Dangerous Jobs That Pay
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' preliminary 2008 figures show 5,071 workplace deaths in the United States, 586 fewer than reported in 2007. The BLS says fishermen, loggers, aircraft pilots and iron and steel workers have the highest fatality rates.
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Fishermen
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The BLS says fishermen work under the most hazardous conditions, with 128.9 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers in 2008 preliminary data. Fishermen often work hundreds of miles from hospitals and must endure long hours at sea, often among dangerously high waves. The demanding work involves setting large traps to capture shrimp, crabs and other marine animals for restaurants and other buyers. Most begin as hired deckhands with no experience. Pay depends upon one's position in the crew, the season and how much catch is collected. BLS figures for May 2006 show the lowest 10 percent (which includes novice deckhands) earned less than $15,280, while the highest 10 percent (which includes the captains) earned more than $45,480.
Loggers
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BLS data show a fatality rate of 115.7 per 100,000 full-time workers. Loggers take down thousands of acres of trees every year to provide lumber for industrial and consumer use. Working outdoors daily with falling trees, extremely large equipment and rough ground conditions provides a high level of danger. A high school diploma is often sufficient. Employees then go through rigorous on-the-job training. Salary depends upon the geographical area, job position and company size. The BLS says the 2006 average was $13.80 to $14.28 per hour.
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Aircraft Pilots
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One out of every five pilots is a commercial pilot. They perform more dangerous tasks such as crop dusting, seed spreading, aircraft testing, flying people and cargo to destinations not on a regular airline's itinerary, assisting firefighters, criminal tracking, traffic monitoring and rescuing efforts. The BLS reports the fatality rate of aircraft pilots and flight engineers as 72.4 per 100,000 full-time workers. Becoming a pilot initially requires a college diploma and flight training with an FAA-certified school. The BLS says half of all commercial pilots earned about $65,340 in 2008, while half of all airline pilots earned about $111,680.
Iron and Steel Workers
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Structural iron and steel workers construct the metal foundations for large buildings and bridges. This career is very physically demanding because of constant work at high altitudes with large, heavy steel beams, and the BLS figures a fatality rate of 46.4 per 100,000 full-time workers. Beginning structural iron and steel workers normally undergo apprenticeship programs for three or four years, or seek on-the-job training, and in 2006 were averaging $19.46 per hour.
Power Line Installers and Repairers
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The BLS says electrical power line installers and repairers had a fatality rate of 29.8 per 100,000 full-time workers. This career involves working at high altitudes with dangerous electrical lines. Workers must be physically fit to withstand long amounts of time in the air with little space. Electrical companies are among the first to go out after a natural disaster to restore power to communities. A high school diploma and several years of on-the-job training or apprenticeships are required, and college courses in electrical work present a distinct advantage. The BLS says the 2006 average wage was $24.41 per hour.
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