Careers with excellent work-life balance in 2025, and tips to protect your time

This list was curated using data from the US News 100 Best Jobs ranking and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 20 jobs that scored highest in work-life balance and flexibility, considering factors such as work hours, workload, pace of work, and remote work availability, were considered in the compilation of this list. These jobs offer structured schedules, reduced stress levels, and greater opportunities for personal time.

1 / 31 Fotos

20. Medical records technician -

Medical records technicians earn $48,780 per year and need a postsecondary nondegree award. They manage patient health information and often work remotely.

2 / 31 Fotos

19. Pharmacist -

Pharmacists make $136,030 annually and need a doctoral or professional degree. They dispense medications and provide patient education.

3 / 31 Fotos

18. Operations research analyst -

Operations research analysts earn $83,640 per year with a bachelor’s degree. Their work requires that they use data to optimize business operations.

4 / 31 Fotos

17. Psychologist -

Psychologists make $117,750 annually with a master’s degree to provide mental health support. Those in private practice enjoy flexible schedules and a strong work-life balance.

5 / 31 Fotos

16. Environmental engineer -

Environmental engineers earn $100,090 per year and need a bachelor’s degree. They develop solutions to environmental problems.

6 / 31 Fotos

15. Art director -

Art directors oversee visual projects, usually in advertising and media. They often have more schedule flexibility when working freelance and can earn $100,090 per year with a bachelor's degree.

7 / 31 Fotos

14. Optometrist -

Optometrists make $131,860 annually and need a doctoral or professional degree. They diagnose and treat eye conditions.

8 / 31 Fotos

13. Actuary -

Actuaries analyze financial risk and usually work in insurance or finance. They earn $120,000 per year with a bachelor's degree.

9 / 31 Fotos

12. Financial manager -

Financial managers make $156,100 per year and require a bachelor’s degree. They handle budgeting and financial planning, with some companies offering remote work and structured schedules.

10 / 31 Fotos

11. Physical therapist -

To be a physical therapist, you'll need a doctoral or professional degree and can earn $99,710 per year. It's their job to help patients improve mobility and manage pain.

11 / 31 Fotos

10. Human resources manager -

Human resources managers earn $136,350 per year with a bachelor’s degree. They handle recruitment and employee relations.

12 / 31 Fotos

9. Massage therapist -

Massage therapists bring in $55,310 per year and need a postsecondary nondegree award. Massage therapists help clients manage their pain and stress.

13 / 31 Fotos

8. Dental hygienist -

Dental hygienists need an associate degree and can earn $87,530 per year. They provide preventive dental care and often work part-time.

14 / 31 Fotos

7. Speech-language pathologist -

Speech-language pathologists make $89,290 per year and require a master’s degree. In their line of work, they treat speech and swallowing disorders, often finding work in private practices.

15 / 31 Fotos

6. Web developer -

Web developers earn $84,960 per year and need a bachelor’s degree. They design and maintain websites, with many enjoying remote work and flexible hours.

16 / 31 Fotos

5. IT manager -

IT managers rank high for flexibility, earning $169,510 per year with a bachelor’s degree. They oversee a company’s technology infrastructure and can often work remotely.

17 / 31 Fotos

4. Occupational therapist -

Earning about $96,370 per year, occupational therapists help patients regain essential life skills, often working in hospitals, schools, or private practices, which can allow for more control over their schedules. To be an occupational therapist, you'll need a master's degree.

18 / 31 Fotos

3. Social and community service manager -

Social and community service managers earn $77,030 annually with a bachelor’s degree. They advocate for specific communities and typically have flexible work schedules.

19 / 31 Fotos

2. Marketing manager -

Marketing managers enjoy strong salaries of $157,620 per year and require a bachelor’s degree. They oversee branding and advertising, with many companies offering remote work and flexible schedules for better work-life balance.

20 / 31 Fotos

1. Librarian -

Librarians top our list for the best work-life balance. They earn $64,370 per year, and you'll need a master’s degree to become one. They usually have stable hours in a quiet work environment.

21 / 31 Fotos

Tips: Plan ahead -

Be sure to schedule leisure tasks alongside your work tasks so you have a better work-life balance.

22 / 31 Fotos

Embrace the way your brain works -

Try using productivity techniques like the Pomodoro method, where you work in short bursts with small breaks in between.

23 / 31 Fotos

Set blocks of time for different tasks -

Time blocking can help to structure your day for different tasks. If you designate time for emails, meetings, deep-focus work, and relaxing time, then everything will have its place.

24 / 31 Fotos

End work at a certain time -

Work has a sneaky habit of filling whatever time is available. Ensure you're setting a specific end time each day and stick to it.

25 / 31 Fotos

Use technology to help you unplug -

Try and see if your company will give you a business phone for during business hours. This way, you have your personal one separate for off-work hours. This can help deter distractions in both arenas.

26 / 31 Fotos

Take meaningful breaks, including lunch -

Whether working remotely or in an office, stepping away for lunch and connecting with coworkers can recharge you. Changing environments briefly can help to boost mental well-being.

27 / 31 Fotos

Take time off when needed -

Don’t ignore the importance of sick days, personal time, and vacations. Pushing through without breaks can lead to burnout.

28 / 31 Fotos

Practice mindfulness -

Mindfulness techniques, like meditation or breath awareness, help you tune into your physical and emotional states.

29 / 31 Fotos

Engage in activities you love outside of work -

A fulfilling hobby makes it easier to disconnect from work at the end of the day. Whether it’s exercise, art, or social activities, having a passion outside of work boosts your energy.

Sources: (U.S. News & World Report) (BetterUp)

30 / 31 Fotos

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0 / 31 Fotos

Methodology -

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1 / 31 Fotos

20. Medical records technician -

Medical records technicians earn $48,780 per year and need a postsecondary nondegree award. They manage patient health information and often work remotely.

Shutterstock

2 / 31 Fotos

19. Pharmacist -

Pharmacists make $136,030 annually and need a doctoral or professional degree. They dispense medications and provide patient education.

Shutterstock

3 / 31 Fotos

18. Operations research analyst -

Operations research analysts earn $83,640 per year with a bachelor’s degree. Their work requires that they use data to optimize business operations.

Shutterstock

4 / 31 Fotos

17. Psychologist -

Psychologists make $117,750 annually with a master’s degree to provide mental health support. Those in private practice enjoy flexible schedules and a strong work-life balance.

Shutterstock

5 / 31 Fotos

16. Environmental engineer -

Environmental engineers earn $100,090 per year and need a bachelor’s degree. They develop solutions to environmental problems.

Shutterstock

6 / 31 Fotos

15. Art director -

Art directors oversee visual projects, usually in advertising and media. They often have more schedule flexibility when working freelance and can earn $100,090 per year with a bachelor's degree.

Shutterstock

7 / 31 Fotos

14. Optometrist -

Optometrists make $131,860 annually and need a doctoral or professional degree. They diagnose and treat eye conditions.

Shutterstock

8 / 31 Fotos

13. Actuary -

Actuaries analyze financial risk and usually work in insurance or finance. They earn $120,000 per year with a bachelor's degree.

Shutterstock

9 / 31 Fotos

12. Financial manager -

Financial managers make $156,100 per year and require a bachelor’s degree. They handle budgeting and financial planning, with some companies offering remote work and structured schedules.

Shutterstock

10 / 31 Fotos

11. Physical therapist -

To be a physical therapist, you'll need a doctoral or professional degree and can earn $99,710 per year. It's their job to help patients improve mobility and manage pain.

Shutterstock

11 / 31 Fotos

10. Human resources manager -

Human resources managers earn $136,350 per year with a bachelor’s degree. They handle recruitment and employee relations.

Shutterstock

12 / 31 Fotos

9. Massage therapist -

Massage therapists bring in $55,310 per year and need a postsecondary nondegree award. Massage therapists help clients manage their pain and stress.

Shutterstock

13 / 31 Fotos

8. Dental hygienist -

Dental hygienists need an associate degree and can earn $87,530 per year. They provide preventive dental care and often work part-time.

Shutterstock

14 / 31 Fotos

7. Speech-language pathologist -

Speech-language pathologists make $89,290 per year and require a master’s degree. In their line of work, they treat speech and swallowing disorders, often finding work in private practices.

Shutterstock

15 / 31 Fotos

6. Web developer -

Web developers earn $84,960 per year and need a bachelor’s degree. They design and maintain websites, with many enjoying remote work and flexible hours.

Shutterstock

16 / 31 Fotos

5. IT manager -

IT managers rank high for flexibility, earning $169,510 per year with a bachelor’s degree. They oversee a company’s technology infrastructure and can often work remotely.

Shutterstock

17 / 31 Fotos

4. Occupational therapist -

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18 / 31 Fotos

3. Social and community service manager -

Social and community service managers earn $77,030 annually with a bachelor’s degree. They advocate for specific communities and typically have flexible work schedules.

Shutterstock

19 / 31 Fotos

2. Marketing manager -

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20 / 31 Fotos

1. Librarian -

Librarians top our list for the best work-life balance. They earn $64,370 per year, and you'll need a master’s degree to become one. They usually have stable hours in a quiet work environment.

Shutterstock

21 / 31 Fotos

Tips: Plan ahead -

Be sure to schedule leisure tasks alongside your work tasks so you have a better work-life balance.

Shutterstock

22 / 31 Fotos

Embrace the way your brain works -

Try using productivity techniques like the Pomodoro method, where you work in short bursts with small breaks in between.

Shutterstock

23 / 31 Fotos

Set blocks of time for different tasks -

Time blocking can help to structure your day for different tasks. If you designate time for emails, meetings, deep-focus work, and relaxing time, then everything will have its place.

Shutterstock

24 / 31 Fotos

End work at a certain time -

Work has a sneaky habit of filling whatever time is available. Ensure you're setting a specific end time each day and stick to it.

Shutterstock

25 / 31 Fotos

Use technology to help you unplug -

Shutterstock

26 / 31 Fotos

Take meaningful breaks, including lunch -

Whether working remotely or in an office, stepping away for lunch and connecting with coworkers can recharge you. Changing environments briefly can help to boost mental well-being.

Shutterstock

27 / 31 Fotos

Take time off when needed -

Don’t ignore the importance of sick days, personal time, and vacations. Pushing through without breaks can lead to burnout.

Shutterstock

28 / 31 Fotos

Practice mindfulness -

Mindfulness techniques, like meditation or breath awareness, help you tune into your physical and emotional states.

Shutterstock

29 / 31 Fotos

Engage in activities you love outside of work -

A fulfilling hobby makes it easier to disconnect from work at the end of the day. Whether it’s exercise, art, or social activities, having a passion outside of work boosts your energy.

Sources: (U.S. News & World Report) (BetterUp)

Shutterstock

30 / 31 Fotos

Careers with excellent work-life balance in 2025, and tips to protect your time

Finding balance is an art

05/03/25 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Careers

Most of us need to work in order to live. However, there are ways to achieve work-life balance so that you don't burn out. According to the US News & World Report, 20 jobs provide the best work-life balance. We've included them in this gallery alongside tips for a healthy, sustainable life.

Curious which jobs you should check out? Click through now for more information.

All figures in USD.