Office and administrative roles remain the safest option for non-graduates, but new research suggests construction is also among the lowest-risk jobs offering relatively high wages and no requirement for a university degree.
A study by US-based manufacturer Yijin Hardware examined fatal workplace injury rates across various sectors and found that construction and extraction work recorded fewer deaths than widely assumed, despite often being viewed as high-risk.
It had a fatal injury rate of 13 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers — well below logging, roofing, or transport — and offered the highest annual median wage among the lowest-risk occupations, at around £61,200.
The researchers analysed fatal injury data alongside job accessibility, education requirements and projected openings, aiming to highlight viable career paths for those entering the workforce without a university degree. All five of the safest occupations identified in the report typically require no more than a high school-level education and offer structured on-the-job training.
While the analysis is based on US figures, the patterns align with similar trends in the UK labour market, where the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consistently reports higher injury and fatality rates in sectors such as agriculture, waste and construction, yet notes significant progress in safety measures, particularly among larger firms.
Office and Admin Least Risky
Office and administrative support jobs were ranked the safest overall, with a fatal injury rate of just 1 per 100,000 workers. These roles also had the fewest total recorded deaths, which is just 86 nationwide in the year analysed. The median annual wage was £35,800, and the field is forecast to produce 19,000 new job openings annually over the next decade in the US.
The report’s authors pointed to the relative accessibility of office roles, with most requiring only secondary education qualifications and limited on-the-job training. But observers note that the future of such work in both the US and UK may be shaped more by automation and digitalisation than by safety concerns.
Trades and Technical Roles Offer Strong Prospects
Production roles, such as manufacturing or assembly work, were next on the list, with a fatal injury rate of 3 per 100,000. Median annual wages were lower, at £29,500, but job availability was high, with 29,000 openings forecast annually. These jobs also typically require no more than a secondary education.
Installation and repair roles — covering a wide range of technical trades — came in third, with a fatal injury rate of 9. These roles pay an average of £36,600 and offer reasonable levels of job security and hands-on learning. They are widely seen as essential occupations in both the UK and US, especially as housing stock and infrastructure age.
Construction Challenges Perceptions
Perhaps the most unexpected finding was the relatively strong safety record of construction and extraction roles. With a fatal injury rate of 13 and more than 1,000 fatalities annually in the US, the raw figures remain concerning. Yet the report notes that safety standards in many parts of the sector have improved significantly, and most large employers now operate under stringent compliance requirements.
In the UK, the construction sector saw 35 fatal injuries in 2024–25, according to HSE figures, amounting to the highest of any industry by count but not by rate. When measured by deaths per 100,000 workers, agriculture and waste recorded higher fatality rates. HSE has also reported a downward trend in construction fatalities over the long term.
In the US study, construction roles also stood out for pay, with a median wage higher than any other job on the list of safest occupations. The sector offers 15,000 openings annually, with entry-level access and skills development often supported through apprenticeships.
Transport and Logistics: High Demand, Manageable Risk
Rounding out the top five were transportation and material moving jobs, including roles such as delivery drivers and warehouse workers. Despite long hours and physical demands, the sector’s fatality rate stood at 14 per 100,000, and the field had by far the highest projected number of openings, at 63,000 per year.
Salaries averaged around £48,300, and most roles required only basic education and short-term training. In the UK, transport and logistics remain growth sectors, particularly in response to e-commerce and regional distribution trends. But wellbeing concerns such as driver fatigue, stress and low autonomy have become more prominent than physical safety alone.
Most Dangerous Roles Remain Manual and Isolated
At the other end of the scale, the report identified logging as the most dangerous occupation, with a fatal injury rate of 99 per 100,000. Fishing and hunting, roofing and refuse collection also ranked high in terms of risk.
All four of the most dangerous roles required no formal educational qualification, but often came with physically demanding environments, unpredictable hazards or remote working conditions. Refuse and recyclable material collectors, for example, had 41 fatal injuries annually in the US, despite representing a relatively small workforce.
Relevance for UK Employers
Although the data is drawn from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the broad patterns echo those seen in the UK. Lower fatality rates tend to correlate with structured environments, consistent regulation, and opportunities for skill development, all of which contribute to longer-term employee wellbeing.
“Ensuring workplace safety is essential for protecting workers across all industries,” said Yijin Hardware CEO Gavin Yi. “Jobs with low injury rates provide not only peace of mind but also long-term stability and opportunity. It’s important to recognise and promote careers that offer both security and growth, especially for those entering the workforce without a college degree.”
For employers, the findings offer a reminder that jobs requiring minimal formal education can still provide stable, safe and well-paid career paths, especially when backed by investment in safety systems, training, and support.