America's 'scariest' jobs revealed

If pay cuts and workloads keep you up at night, you’re in good company. A new survey shows that many Americans consider those the biggest fear factors at work.

Just in time for Halloween comes a survey that reveals what Americans believe are the “scariest” jobs – from the hazardous to the potentially humiliating.

The nationwide survey  -- conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder -- polled more than 4,380 full-time workers from the private sector, ages 18 and over. The results – interesting, for lack of a better word.

It may not come as a surprise that death-defying jobs ranked high on the list. The majority of survey participants chose bomb squad technician as America’s scariest job, followed by high-rise window washer and those in the armed forces. Miner, police officer and firefighter also earned the dubious honor of ranking among the top 10 scariest jobs.

However, two professions on this list might raise an eyebrow or two. Participants listed stand-up comedians as having jobs that got heart rates going, and said high school teachers have scarier jobs that stunt persons or politicians.  

When asked what frightens them in their own work, the majority (13 percent) of those polled said pay cuts keep them on edge. Nine percent said their workload scares them, and the same percentage said presenting in front of others gave them the chills. Only 3 percent stated their boss was the scare factor at work.

Top 15 scariest jobs in America:

1. Bomb squad technician
2. High-rise window washer
3. Armed forces
4. Miner
5. Police officer
6. Alaskan crab fisher
7. Mortician
8. Firefighter
9. High school teacher
10. Cemetery worker
11. Exterminator
12. Stand-up comedian
13. Animal control
14. Stunt person
15. Politician