Scariest jobs are parenting, politics, stand-up comedy, CareerBuilder says

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Wednesday, October 29, 2014
6. Animal Trainer: Scary for those who fear: Animal attacks; allergy flare-ups.
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CHICAGO (WLS) -- Raising children, stand-up comedy and investigating crime scenes are among the top ten jobs Americans fear most, according to a list released by CareerBuilder.com.

CareerBuilder commissioned a nationwide survey conducted by Harris Poll, where than 3,000 workers were asked what kinds of work scared them the most.

Fear of responsibility, accountability to a large number of people and rejection factored into their responses.

The list also states how many people currently have the feared job in the U.S. and the median hourly wage.

Just in time for the Nov. 4 election, being a politician scared Americans the most. Working as a microbiologist for infectious disease and as a security guard at a teen pop idol's concert round out the top three jobs Americans fear.

Here's the full list from CareerBuilder:

1. Politician

There are 56,857 politicians/legislators in the U.S.

Median hourly pay: $9.89

Average salary for U.S. Senators and members of the House of Representatives in 2014: $174,0001

Scary for those who fear: Responsibility; accountability to a large number of people; rejection.

2. Microbiologist for Infectious Diseases

In general, there are 20,800 microbiologists in the U.S.

Median hourly pay: $32.61

Scary for those who fear: Germs; Ebola; accidentally leaving the hazmat suit at home.

3. Security Guard at Teen Pop Idol Concert

In general, there are 1,163,023 security guards in the U.S.

Median hourly pay: $11.62

Scary for those who fear: Getting trampled by screaming tweens.

4. Kindergarten Teacher

There are 158,084 kindergarten teachers (non-special education) in the U.S.

Median hourly pay: $24.12

Scary for those who fear: Germs; temper tantrums; shaping the minds of America's youth.

5. Crime Scene Investigator

There are 128,432 detectives and criminal investigators and forensic science technicians in the U.S.

Median hourly pay: $35.75

Scary for those who fear: Blood; the disappointment on people's faces when you tell them the job is nothing like it is on TV.

6. Animal Trainer

There are 32,360 animal trainer jobs in the U.S.

Median hourly pay: $12.03

Scary for those who fear: Animal attacks; allergy flare-ups.

7. Mortician

There are 27,505 mortician, undertaker and funeral director jobs in the U.S.

Median hourly pay: $22.83

Scary for those who fear: Dead bodies; silence; zombie attacks.

8. Radio, Cellular and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

There are 16,213 radio, cellular and tower equipment installer and repairer jobs in the U.S.

Median hourly pay: $21.59

Scary for those who fear: Heights.

9. Stand-Up Comedian

There are 37,272 jobs in the entertainers and performers, sports and related workers industry, which include comedians, in the U.S.

Median hourly pay: $16.89

Scary for those who fear: Public speaking; awkward silence.

10. Parent

There are too many parent jobs in the U.S. to count.

Median hourly pay: Not nearly enough.

Scary for those who fear: Almost all of the above fears.

Salary data for U.S. Senators and members of the House of Representatives comes from the House Press Gallery. All other salary data comes from Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (EMSI).

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