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These Are the Top 10 Deadliest Jobs in America

Nov. 16, 2012 2:16pm Becket Adams

It appears that in all the excitement of the 2012 presidential election, we (I) have failed in our (my) commitment to bringing you highly informative (and sometimes contentious) “top whatever” lists.

So, in an attempt to make up for this gross oversight, here’s a list of the most deadly jobs in the U.S. in 2011.

“In 2011, 4,609 people were fatally injured on the job,” CNBC.com reports. “That total works out to 3.5 fatal work injuries per every 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. By this count, the workplace is .1 percent safer than it was 2010.”

CNBC.com bases its findings on annual workplace data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The report continues:

Among the findings in the BLS’ report, violence and other injuries from people and animals accounted for 780 fatalities, or about 17 percent, which includes 458 homicides and 242 suicides. In both those categories, shootings were the most frequent manner of death. Of those 780 fatalities, 37 deaths were either animal or insect related.

The BLS report found that in terms of fatal work injury rate — the number of deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers — agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting are among the most deadly industries, with a rate of 24.4 per 100,000 workers.

Without any further introduction, here are the deadliest jobs in America in 2011 [Note: The following fatal injury rates do not account for workers younger than 16, volunteers, or resident military. All block quotes via CNBC.com]:

Taxi drivers (and chauffeurs)

Number of fatal work injuries: 63
Fatal work injury rate (per 100,000 workers): 19.7

In another trend emerging from the year’s data, two out of every five fatal work injuries resulted from transportation incidents, with 57 percent of those on the roadway and 11 percent non-roadway (such as a tractor in a field). Of that percentage, about 16 percent were comprised of pedestrians struck by vehicles.

Electrical-power line installers and repairers

Number of fatal work injuries: 27
Fatal work injury rate (per 100,000 workers): 20.3

In all, the BLS report showed 171 deaths from exposure to electricity, or four percent of all fatal work injuries.

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers

Number of fatal work injuries: 759
Fatal work injury rate (per 100,000 workers): 24

There was a six percent jump in work-related fatal injuries in this subcategory of driver/sales workers and truck drivers from 2010. The larger story is that this is part of transportation and material moving showed the highest level of fatalities since 2008 – a total of about a quarter of all occupational fatalities.

Farmers, ranchers, & other agricultural managers

Number of fatal work injuries: 260
Fatal work injury rate (per 100,000 workers): 25.3

The number of fatal work injuries in this job category is down five percent from the 2010 stats, reversing the previous year’s increase.

Structural iron and steel workers

Number of fatal work injuries: 16
Fatal work injury rate (per 100,000 workers): 26.9

Fatal falls, slips or trips account for 666 deaths, or 14 percent of all fatal work injuries

Roofers

Number of fatal work injuries: 56
Fatal work injury rate (per 100,000 workers): 31.8

Falls to a lower level caused 541 deadly work injuries in 2011, or 12 percent of all injuries that year.

Refuse and recyclable metal collectors

Number of fatal work injuries: 34
Fatal work injury rate (per 100,000 workers): 41.2

Some 119 deaths in 2011 resulted from workers getting caught in running equipment or machinery, or about three percent of deaths.

Click here to see the top 3 deadliest jobs in the U.S.

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

RELATED:

All photos courtesy Getty Images.

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Comments (93)

grayling646
Posted on November 17, 2012 at 1:15am
You talking to me, huh? You talking to me?

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- db321
  Posted on November 18, 2012 at 8:36pm
  I bet you being a Conservative Talk Show Host and Follower of Christ will make the list in the next couple of years.
  
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taintso
Posted on November 17, 2012 at 12:47am
Being a patient under Obamacare will move to number one real quick.

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- SUNTZU
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 11:54am
  Being as baby
  about 400,000 in the US died last year
  ABORTION
  
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- Dorees_Manly_Man
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 12:03pm
  Yep.
  
  Report this comment
- DEMOCRATS.ARE.EVIL
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 4:21pm
  They could re-title this article, “Top 10 Jobs Women Won’t Do”. They’re very safety-conscious when they’re not living off the taxpayers.
  
  Report this comment
- martin696
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 10:56pm
  my friend’s half-sister makes $74/hour on the laptop. She has been without a job for 10 months but last month her payment was $14076 just working on the laptop for a few hours. Here’s the site to read more, http://ace60.coℳ
  
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Proverbs17-12NLT
Posted on November 17, 2012 at 12:01am
libyan ambassador was #11

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zapped
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:19pm
airplane pilots?…this ain’t good

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aplingtjayonia
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 9:33pm
Thank you Progressve, I clicked on the quicklink and was taken to an apparent CSNBC webpage. One of the last places that I would go for anything. Thanks again.

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- Msgt Ret
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 8:40am
  Agreed, I couldnt get out of it fast enough…………..
  
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- JACKTHETOAD
  Posted on November 18, 2012 at 6:36am
  My renewal’s coming up real soon too…they’re in for a surprise. I should’ve guessed it from their name. …goooonnnnne…
  
  Report this comment
aythya
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 8:10pm
Ironic the choice of pictures. Alaska Ranger sunk in 2008 with 5 fatalities.

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Jackal7130
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:24pm
WTF Blaze?????

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- FreeUsAll
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:58pm
  Lololololol!
  
  Report this comment
Jackal7130
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:20pm
Hahaha my first job was 4th and my last and current trade and business I own is 2nd. But I bet an Ambassador in Benghazi would disagree though………

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- Eastinfection
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 8:09pm
  This is skewed because it only counts fatalities and “legitimate” jobs….
  
  I’ve worked as a roofer before but somehow i think “MMA fighter” is more dangerous.
  Ditto NFL lineman or Hockey defenseman..
  
  What about “crack-whore”?.. that’s pretty risky, too.
  
  Report this comment
- Jackal7130
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 11:54am
  Yeah I thought roofer was higher from what Ive read before but its funny my brother was a roofer and my partner in the tree biz. But it is skewed I guess you can come up with stats anyway u want to spin em, I dont know
  
  Report this comment
- JACKTHETOAD
  Posted on November 18, 2012 at 6:38am
  I hope I live long enough to see democrat politician top the list.
  
  Report this comment
freeberty
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:54pm
Statistical proof that government union parasites like cops and firefighters, aren’t so much the heroes, they seem to think they are.

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- Exiled
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:24pm
  The odds of getting killed isn’t what makes a hero a hero.
  
  Report this comment
- Jackal7130
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:27pm
  Are you joking?
  
  Report this comment
- FreeUsAll
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:59pm
  @Exile. That is a simple, yet profound way to look at it.
  
  Report this comment
- 226crimsontrace
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 8:58pm
  I agree FREEBERTY, were constantly told how cops put there life on the line everyday, but when when one of these other pee-ons die, there is no parade, no honor guard, just a leakt roof
  
  Report this comment
- Firefight
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 10:40am
  73% of all firefighters are volunteers. Statistical proof you don’t know what you’re talking about.
  
  Report this comment
- Jackal7130
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 11:59am
  Cops and firefighters work for the Gov?? Since when? Parasites? I dont understand the angst for ESPECIALLY the firefighters. Some of the cops I can agree to that
  
  Report this comment
calmandcents
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:38pm
I am surprised by this shabby article. Clearly, one of the most dangerous jobs in America today is working for the Obama administration — unless, of course, you are in the upper tier whence you’re covered by Presidential protection.

United States of America Ambassadors and United States of America Border Patrol Agents and ALL OTHERS beware! He will toss you under a bus and run over you in a second.

God save the King!

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Chuck Stein
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:17pm
#6 is STRUCTURAL iron and steel workers (builders of structures made with iron and steel), of course the picture is of a man whose work is making steel.

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Bookster
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:51pm
Why oh why can’t politician be #1 on that list?

Liberalism is a mental disorder. Progressives are a virus. Democrats are Godless.

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CobraBill
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:44pm
Not a job but one thing more dangerous than all them put together.
Being a baby in a Democrats womb.

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- Gourdy
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:09pm
  Ummm…..see the story on The Blaze’s front page about Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN).
  
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Rational Man
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:37pm
Roughnecks and roustabouts in the oil patch would have made the list if it were not for the fact that there are so few of them working. That and a fact that most of that work is non-union so there is a better work and safety ethic which prevents accidents.

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- Wolf
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:01pm
  I think your figuring is a bit off, mathematically. Regardless the ‘number employed in the field’, the stats will remain the same when percentage of accidents vs number of workers is totalled.
  
  Report this comment
- Rational Man
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 4:33am
  Too bad your too dim witted to catch the discrete commentary I made about drilling being suppressed and mediocre union labor. But gee, you did try hard to appear smart!
  
  Report this comment
meisterman41
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:37pm
How about being a white voter trying to get by the Black Panthers on election day in Philly?

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- Eastinfection
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 8:12pm
  It’s only a job if you get paid…. and the NBP aren’t there to intimidate democrats.
  
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- starman70
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 9:33pm
  How about a Republican trying to get by the New Black Panthers in Philly. The Democrats have no problem and can even vote two or more times. The Republican will be met with bats and iron pipes and couldn’t vote even once.
  
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- GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:44pm
  I would say being Obama’s gay lover (Many of them got whacked) but that’s not a job either…
  
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AllAmericanGirl22
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:30pm
Hear that libs? Recycling is dangerous!

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meisterman41
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:17pm
I’m suprised Flight Deck crewmen on Aircraft Carriers didn’t make the list. It gets real wild during night ops.I know,I’ve been there.

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- justangry
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:28pm
  Yeah that’s what I was thinking. I can’t think of a more dangerous place.
  
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- Rational Man
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:41pm
  It’s not that their job is any less dangerous, it’s that they are better trained and disciplined.
  
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- Mudd
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:07pm
  Sorry, it’s not a job, it’s an adventure. Or am I just a victum of a slick marketing campaign?
  
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- RabidPatriot
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:20pm
  Death statistics are not an accurate measure of danger. Sometimes, the danger is self-inflicted. If some untrained greenhorn deckhand on a crab ship falls overboard it is counted the same as a cabbie getting shot and killed for $20.
  
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- justangry
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:45pm
  @Rational Man, Accidents are still all too common
  
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- P-51D
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 8:42pm
  You would think under Obummer’s watch, that all armed forces jobs would be the most dangerous.
  
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- Msgt Ret
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 8:45am
  No just ambassadors and 2 lowley marines and their civilian counterpart.
  
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toiletclogga
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:11pm
Deputy White House Counsel/Clinton Administration should be up there. (see Vince Foster)

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spfoam1
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:55pm
Crooked politicians should be #1. Left wing media elite should be #2. Union bosses should be #3. The hazard to all 3 of them should be rope.

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- Marine25
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:20pm
  And you wonder why America rejected so many ‘conservatives’ ten days ago.
  
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- spfoam1
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:03pm
  @MARINE25……You’ve got to be kidding! It was not a rejection of conservative ideas, it was the promises of free handouts at the expense of someone else You must be young and full of it. Pull your head out. By the way, Semper Fi.
  
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llotus
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:54pm
convenience store has to be one of them. Third shift. Lotus.

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mydh12
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:37pm
US staff in Benghazi, under Obama administration, before Obama’s re-election, is most dangerous job.

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- blanco5
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:42pm
  Good one!
  
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- HKS
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:43pm
  Could be anyone working for the Obama administration would fall into the top category if you piss them off.
  
  “Remember Benghazi”
  
  Report this comment
paperpushermj
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:34pm
Two points that come to mind.
.
One is these are occupations mostly composed of men.
Two is I’m sure this information is not included in the Charge that Women make 79% of what men make.

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- Cavallo
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:51pm
  Just like garbage men, or oil rig workers, fishermen, or a myriad of other dirty nasty necessary jobs that women simply don’t want. They’re hypocritical little princesses that want their cake and to eat it too.. if not they will stop their feet and make their senile uncle sam do mean things to you,
  
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- Gourdy
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:51pm
  The maternal death rate in the US (at least in 2010) was 21 dead mothers for every 100,000 live births, so that could have made this top 10 list.
  
  Report this comment
- auntieV
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:43pm
  This 34 year old “princess” is the superintendent/working operator of a water & sewer district… kinda hard to keep the tiara clean ;) In all seriousness, I am anti-women’s lib and I understand why you would think that way because I see it in women all of the time but, please, don’t throw us ALL under the bus. I currently make 21% less than the prior super, but it was my choice to accept the pay, take on dangerous tasks and eat some crow… I am sure it will pay off over time.
  
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- Marine25
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:25pm
  The 79% ‘charge’ is not what the average woman makes compared to the average man. It is the metric of how much less they make doing the same job with the same experience and qualifications.
  You would have to read several pages of the independent studies conducted to research the Lily Ledbetter act.
  READ…oh, look who I am talking to.
  
  Report this comment
- paperpushermj
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 10:14pm
  @ MARINE25
  I wish you where right and that much thought and Computer power went into that factoid. The truth is far less complicated unfortunately. Total hrs of Women working in the US divided by their total pre tax income vs total number hrs worked by men divided by total pre tax income. It’s as simple as that. In a sane world this comparison would be buried on page 24962 of some report but it is being used as proof that supports someone narrative.
  
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TX_45_ACP
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:33pm
#3, #2, and #1 were too deadly to talk about.

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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:47pm
  #3 – Food Server for Micheal Moore (usually loose a few fingers)
  
  #2 – Underwear Washer for Madonna (They still don’t have a cure for the “Like a Virgin” bug)
  
  #1 – Fact Checker for Obama’s speeches (they keep getting sent to Benghazi)
  
  Report this comment
Female
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:32pm
Major city Walmart employees striking on Black Friday soon to become #1

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- Cavallo
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:53pm
  Good. There will be job openings at those locations for people who want to work very soon. Get your resume ready in advance.
  
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Konservative PUNK
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:29pm
LOL. 3, 2, and #1 are not shown in the article and the link to them does not work. What’s up with that?

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- Gourdy
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:36pm
  I have a hunch Karl Rove’s job is in the top 3.
  
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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:53pm
  My link worked, 4. Refuse and recyclable metal collectors,
  
  3. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
  2. Logging workers
  
  1. Fishers and related fishing industry workers
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:17pm
  http://www.cnbc.com/id/49842847?slide=3
  
  Worked for me too.
  
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- circleDwagons
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:09pm
  Thanks Slayer. Glad i’m not in the top 5. But i’d say that any active military was in the top 5 during Bush/ obama. God bless our people
  
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