The 5 Most Burned-Out Industries in America in 2025

Burnout has been a part of the job-related lexicon for generations, but research suggests that the problem has worsened in recent years. A new study reveals that two-thirds of American workers feel burned out on the job over the past year — a startling number that underscores the severity of the problem.

The underlying issues behind employee burnout vary. Job insecurity, health issues, a return from remote work to the office, a rising cost of living, inflation, and overall uncertainty about the future are all stressors contributing to burnout.

Despite these myriad problems across the board, specific industries are more susceptible to burnout than others. Again, the reasons and level of burnout differ, but heavy workloads, indifference from management, generational differences, and other complications can threaten employee motivation.

Are you among one of the most burned-out industries in America in 2025? Let’s find out.

The 5 Most Burned-Out Industries in America This Year

The industry you choose significantly influences the amount of stress you may feel. Some industries mandate longer shifts, others are more physically grueling, and yes, even desk jobs can take a physical toll that can leave you feeling burnt out. Even industry-centric workplace cultures can have a transformative effect, leading the ambitious down a path to indifference.

Regardless of industry, employers can have a deep impact on their employees’ burnout, but some industries are indeed more stressful, no matter the scenario.

1. Healthcare

• 2x — More than double the number of health workers reported harassment at work in 2022 than in 2018.
• 46% — Nearly half of health workers reported often feeling burned out in 2022, up from 32% in 2018.
• 44% — Nearly half of health workers intended to look for a new job in 2022, up from 33% in 2018.

Healthcare workers may be the most burned-out group of workers in America in 2025. Around 46% of healthcare workers felt burned out within the last year — an increase of almost 50% since 2018.

The most alarming cause of burnout in healthcare is mental health. Nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers see surprising turnarounds and success stories, but they also see death, catastrophic injury, and patients without family or support systems. Over time, these experiences can cause a mental health breakdown, which in turn, leads to job burnout.

People in healthcare also face several other factors that can contribute to burnout, including:

• Poor working conditions
• Harassment from patients, family of patients, or coworkers
• 12-hour or longer shifts
• Resource constraints
• Lack of support from management

Due to the multitude of burnout catalysts, 44% of healthcare workers are looking to exit the industry next year. It’s a stunning development that could have long-lasting effects on the aging Baby Boomers and the population as a whole.

2. Education

• 44% of teachers in K-12 school report often or always feeling burnout

• 90% of teachers claim that feeling burnt out is a serious problem
• Over half of teachers say they will leave teaching sooner than originally planned
• There are 500,000+ fewer educators in the American public school systems post-pandemic
• 44% of public schools posted teaching vacancies in early 2022
• 43% of educator job postings are going unfilled
• 30% of teachers were found to be chronically absent
• Compensation is the top reason educators plan to quit their jobs

Educators are second on the list of the most burned-out industries in America in 2025. According to respondents to a survey, 44% of teachers feel burned out all the time, which can lead to chronic absenteeism, apathy, and mental health problems.

The top reason for burnout? Compensation.

Many states struggle to find a budget that bolsters teacher wages with inflation or cost-of-living increases. Even with three months off, many teachers take another full-time job to make ends meet rather than using the summer to recharge, unwind, and relax.

The changing landscape of schools in the past two decades is also a marked reason for the burnout, as parents and administrators side with students, and punishments for acting out are almost nonexistent. Without a major overhaul to the American educational system, teachers may be topping this list for many years to come.

3. Hospitality

• Burnout rates as high as 80%
• 50% of hospitality workers juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet
• 67% of workers say that management doesn’t give them the support they need

In a post-COVID world, travel has increased drastically, surpassing even pre-pandemic levels. With more people enjoying holidays and vacations, hospitality has been in high demand. However, the high demand for hospitality workers also comes with increased stress and burnout for hotels, tour companies, and other travel-related organizations.

Front-facing employees typically have more stress and burnout, as they deal with unruly customers regularly. However, this isn’t the only reason. Low wages, lack of managerial support, poor schedules and flexibility, and long hours all underscore the burnout faced during the average workday.

4. Construction

• 70% of construction workers feel constant stress at work
• 83% struggle with mental health issues and a lack of support
• Long hours and low to moderate pay exacerbate burnout

In blue-collar professions, no other industry experiences more burnout than construction. The reasons behind this vary, as one type of construction job can be more daunting and stressful than others.

However, research shows that construction workers often suffer from the same burnout sources Dangerous or hazardous working conditions, tight deadlines, mediocre pay, job insecurity, and physically demanding tasks round out the top reasons.

In addition, mental health issues are rampant, with 83% of workers stating they struggle with depression and anxiety on a regular basis. Due to the “manly” nature surrounding many of these professions, workers don’t have any mental health counseling or other benefits available. To some degree, it’s an outdated perks and benefits system that is causing burnout and leaving construction workers feeling helpless.

5. IT

• Some stastics suggest that up to 58% of IT workers suffer from burnout regularly
• Fear of layoffs rank high among stressors of IT professionals
• Tackling cybersecurity issues, often outside the scope of the job description, accounts for 39% of burnout
• Lack of budget or additional pay causes burnout in as many as 25% of IT worker

The technology landscape is constantly evolving and changing. While tech can make people’s lives easier and streamline processes in both personal and professional lives, IT workers are suffering from constant stress and burnout on the back end.

Nearly 60% of IT workers have suffered from burnout over the last year, highlighted by the threat of layoffs. In 2025, Microsoft laid off 6,000 workers, Meta cut 5% of its workforce, and Intel fired 22,000 workers. In total, 137 companies have laid off over 60,000 workers this year alone, leaving IT workers dealing with job insecurity among changing dynamics in the global economy and the industry as a whole.

Generational Burnout

Though industries can have a profound effect on burnout, age plays a defining role. While it’s a given that workplace stress can affect almost any worker over a long enough timeline, generational differences provide insight into how employees handle stress and cope with difficult situations.

Interestingly, Gen Z, despite their youth, have experienced job burnout the most — around 85% within the last year. Millennials have a 65% rate, while Boomers have rates of burnout hovering around 50% in the past year.

While work environments play a role in employee well-being, Gen Z — and to a lesser extent, Millennials — have different societal expectations that may cause such a high burnout rate. The need for work-life balance tops the list, as well as a perceived notion of economic helplessness.

Whether this generational burnout subsides depends on the economic outlook in the future and the Great Wealth Transfer, which will see the distribution of $84 trillion from Baby Boomers to younger generations. Only time (and money) will tell.

Combat Burnout With Employee Recognition

To some degree, workplace burnout is inevitable. Sometimes, your team members need to work long hours to finish a project or prospect for new leads. Maybe your employees’ personal lives contribute to work-related stress and mental health issues. Or perhaps your company has a manpower shortage. An interminable number of factors could add to stress levels, leading to burnout and diminished results.

The only way to combat burnout symptoms is for employers to think proactively and enact initiatives to alleviate workplace stress. One proven way is to create an employee recognition and rewards program.

Recognition and rewards boost morale, shine the spotlight on achievement, and improve retention and productivity, all while lessening burnout. How you reward or recognize your employees is up to you, but perks and awards in the form of gift cards are always appreciated.

Hoppier’s digital gift cards are available for employers to send to recipients in over 60 countries. Choose the denomination and expiration date (if you want), customize your card, send an email, and voila! Your gift is sent right to your employee's inbox.

You may not obliterate burnout, but you’ll alleviate the symptoms and give employees something to smile about. It’s the least you can do in an increasingly uncertain workaday world.