41 jobs for people with anxiety who want peace and stability
Jobs for people with anxiety, who want calm, not chaos.
Work shouldn’t add to your worries. For millions of Australians managing anxiety, finding a role that feels stable and supportive can make all the difference, especially if you’re one of the 3.4 million Australians dealing with mental health conditions. If you’re managing anxiety, the wrong career can trigger physical symptoms and make every single workday feel like going to battle.
The good news is that there are plenty of jobs that accommodate anxiety without making you feel inadequate or less-than. With structured environments and minimal forced socialising, these careers can help you make good money without sacrificing your peace. Here are 40 of the best jobs for people with anxiety.
Understanding anxiety and work
Anxiety is more than getting butterflies before a job interview or feeling stressed about a deadline. It’s your brain’s alarm system going off, triggering physical symptoms like a racing heart or brain fog even when there’s no actual emergency happening. For people dealing with anxiety disorders, ordinary workplace stuff that others breeze through can be fully overwhelming.
Modern offices are basically anxiety trigger factories. Almost half of survey respondents said that their workplace is their biggest source of stress, which tracks when you’re drowning in tasks whilst your brain is already freaking out. Open-plan offices force you to be on all the time, surprise meetings wreck your carefully structured day and performance reviews feel like personal attacks rather than constructive feedback.
How much control you have over your work is especially important for mental health. People stuck in jobs with low autonomy face 84% higher risk of poor health and a brutal 163% spike in burnout. This is why some jobs absolutely wreck people with anxiety whilst others feel manageable.
Picking work that suits your anxiety lets you build a career where not every day is filled with dread. The right job minimises whatever specifically triggers you whilst letting you use your strengths instead of forcing you into situations that leave you feeling drained.
What to look for in low-anxiety jobs
To find the right low-anxiety job for you, you first need to know which job features help versus which ones don’t. A study found that 36.1% of unemployed people aged 16–64 had a mental disorder, compared to only 22.8% of the employed population. That means that having the right job can make a huge difference in your mental wellness. All you need to do is figure out what the right job really looks like for you.
Here’s what makes jobs more manageable for people dealing with anxiety:
Remote work and flexible scheduling: About 36% of employed Australians now have a work from home job, which lets you structure your day around when you actually perform best. It also means you don’t have to interact with coworkers all day long. That’s why almost half of all employees say that workplace flexibility would reduce their stress.
Structured, predictable work environments: Knowing exactly what your day looks like reduces the constant low-level dread that comes with unpredictability. Jobs with clear expectations, consistent routines and minimal last-minute changes let your brain relax instead of constantly scanning for potential threats.
Independent work that minimises forced socialising: Roles where you can work autonomously without constant team meetings are gold for people with anxiety. You’re still part of the team but you’re not performing extroversion all day just to seem professional.
Workplaces that actually care about mental health: Almost two-thirds of employees now expect employers to provide mental health support, and companies are slowly catching up. Look for jobs at organisations with employee assistance programs and managers who won’t punish you for taking a mental wellness day.
Teams of competent colleagues: This matters more than you’d think. A shocking 62% of workers say dealing with underperforming teammates creates additional stress, which compounds anxiety when you’re already struggling. Competent coworkers mean less chaos and fewer surprises derailing your carefully planned workday.
Best jobs for people with anxiety
Not every career will suit your anxiety, but plenty of jobs let you earn solid money whilst working in ways that don’t activate your fight-or-flight every day. The best roles for anxiety sufferers come with a mix of autonomy, predictability, minimal forced socialising and the ability to work remotely.
Creative and independent careers
Creative geniuses usually have their big breaks after working for hours in complete isolation. They definitely wouldn’t be able to create the same pieces if their deep work sessions are constantly interrupted by pointless meetings. These roles reward deep focus and originality rather than constant networking, which suits people with anxiety:
Job | Why it works for anxiety | Median salary | Relevant certifications |
Writer or editor | Work independently on your own schedule, with minimal face-to-face meetings | ||
Graphic designer | Solo creative work with clear briefs, remote-friendly | ||
Photographer | You control how you interact with your clients and build your business around your schedule | ||
Web designer or developer | Highly independent work with clear technical requirements and remote opportunities available | Diploma of Information Technology (Front and Back End Web Development) |
Technical or analytical roles
Technical careers reward logical thinking and problem-solving much more than popularity. These jobs usually have clear right and wrong answers, so there’s no ambiguity for you to question whether you’re doing a good job or not. These are the best technical jobs for people with anxiety:
Job | Why it works for anxiety | Median salary | Relevant certifications |
Data analyst | Work with numbers and patterns, then communicate findings through reports | Data and Web Analytics short course | |
Once you become an IT technician, you’ll get to focus on fixing real software or hardware problems rather than do sales or sit in meetings | Diploma of Information Technology or Certificate IV in Information Technology | ||
Software developer | Deep focus work that’s remote friendly and usually very flexible | Diploma of Information Technology (Front and Back End Web Development) | |
Bookkeeper or accountant | Predictable tasks and deadlines and you can do most of the job completely on your own | Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping, Advanced Diploma of Accounting or Accounting Principles Skill Set short course | |
Lab technician | You’ll work in controlled environments with very clearly structured procedures | Complete a Certificate III or IV in Laboratory Techniques |
Nature-based and hands-on work
Outdoor jobs reduce the sensory overload of office environments that can be too much for people with anxiety. The best part is that these roles involve working with plants or animals rather than human beings, so you never have to worry about what your coworker is thinking of you (because palm trees and emus rarely think about humans). Try these nature jobs for people with anxiety:
Job | Why it works for anxiety | Median salary | Relevant certifications |
Gardener or landscaper | Working outdoors can do wonders for anyone’s mental health, and plants don’t talk back | Study a Certificate III in Horticulture or Landscape Construction | |
Animal carer or veterinary assistant | Working with animals instead of humans is a dream for many people with anxiety | Certificate III in Animal Care Services | |
Park ranger | Park rangers work in peaceful outdoor environments doing meaningful conservation work | Certificate III in Ecosystem Management | |
Conservation worker | They usually work on solo or small team projects that require physical activity to keep the mind busy | Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management |
Structured and routine jobs
Highly structured roles with predictable daily tasks reduce the anxiety comes from not being sure what you’re supposed to be doing. When you have a clear task, with a finite deadline, and established processes, you can get to work without having to ruminate whether it’s worth it to reach out to your supervisor for clarification or ask a coworker for help.
Job | Why it works for anxiety | Median salary | Relevant certifications |
Archivist or librarian | They work in quiet environments with minimal unpredictability and very few high-stakes, high-pressure situations. | Bachelor of Information Studies or Library and Information Science | |
Warehouse clerk | The physical work with clear tasks and close to zero social demands is perfect for people who want to be left alone and focused | Apply directly to logistics companies or retailers. | |
Administrative assistant | There’s an organised workflow, clear responsibilities and a very low chance of having to make big decisions regularly |
Helping professions with low social pressure
Some caring roles are perfect for empathetic people with anxiety because it gives them purpose without the chaos of high-pressure healthcare environments. These are excellent jobs for people with social anxiety who still want to help others but don’t want to spend all day interacting with others:
Job | Why it works for anxiety | Median salary | Relevant certifications |
Online counsellor or therapist | You can control your schedule and how many clients you see per day. Plus, the sessions are entirely remote. | Bachelor of Counselling or Psychology | |
Aged care or disability support worker | It’s meaningful one-on-one care with structured routines where you can build relationships with a handful of regular clients instead of meeting new people every day. | Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) | |
Occupational therapy assistant | There are structured therapy programs with supportive coworkers who are trying to help people achieve things with clear activities. | Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance or Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance |
Jobs for people with social anxiety
Social anxiety turns ordinary workplace interactions into nightmares. One person on Reddit described their retail experience like so: “I've cried on almost all my shifts and just stood there frozen when I'm confused or interacting with someone, my face gets hot and I lose the ability to know what to say.” If that sounds familiar, you need work where social demands happen on your own terms rather than constantly ambushing you.
Low-interaction jobs
These roles let you work mostly alone without constant colleague chatter or customer demands breathing down your neck. You’ll earn solid money whilst keeping social interaction to absolute minimums. Try these careers for people with social anxiety:
Job | Why it works for anxiety | Median salary | Relevant certifications |
Court transcriptionist | Recording court proceedings means sitting quietly documenting what’s said rather than participating in conversations. The work follows strict protocols that eliminate uncertainty and you’re basically invisible during proceedings. | Complete legal transcription courses and seek positions with courts or legal transcription services. | |
Night shift security guard | Monitoring buildings overnight keeps human interaction to absolute minimums for entire shifts. The predictable patrol routes can also calm your anxiety about unexpected situations. | Obtain security license through registered training organisations. | |
Inventory auditor | Companies count stock after hours with small teams that work toward the same goal with independent tasks. The physical movement helps burn off the anxious energy that can build during shifts at desk jobs. | Apply directly to inventory auditing companies or retail chains needing stocktake staff. | |
Laboratory assistant | Processing samples in controlled environments involves minimal conversation beyond basic updates. Dealing with machines and equipment beats the social nuances that come from dealing with other people at work. | Complete Certificate III or IV in Laboratory Techniques |
Jobs with predictable social interaction
Some people with social anxiety can handle interactions when they follow familiar scripts rather than throwing constant curveballs. These roles aren’t exactly isolated, but you’ll have routine conversations with clients and colleagues that you can mentally prepare for. Try some of these amazing jobs for people with social anxiety:
Job | Why it works for anxiety | Median salary | Relevant certifications |
Small office receptionist | You interact mostly with the same familiar colleagues daily, follow scripted phone conversations and maintain predictable routines without constant surprises ambushing you. | ||
Veterinary nurse | You’ll work mostly with animals rather than people, with most of your human interactions being brief check-ins with pet owners when they drop off their furry friends. | Complete a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing | |
Online technical support | You help customers via chat or email rather than phone or face-to-face, usually with scripts that tell you exactly what to say. | Diploma of Information Technology or Certificate IV in Information Technology | |
Night shift positions | You’ll run into very, very few colleagues and customers when working overnight. Plus, many overnight jobs pay a wage penalty that can make them very lucrative. | Varies by job | Apply for overnight warehouse, healthcare facility or security positions that operate with skeleton crews. |
Work-from-home options
Remote jobs are some of the best jobs for someone with anxiety and depression. You don’t have to deal with the stress that comes from interacting in person with human beings all day and you get to work from places that are familiar to you and feel safe. Plus, it’s nice not having to waste time and money on the commute. Try these jobs:
Job | Why it works for anxiety | Median salary | Relevant certifications |
You control which clients you accept, communicate primarily via email and instant messaging apps and work on routine tasks without constant supervision or monitoring. | |||
E-commerce store owner | You deal with minimal direct customer interaction since automated systems handle most transactions and never have to deal with workplace social dynamics. | ||
Freelance designer | Working on creative projects can be freeing for people anxiety, plus you’ll communicate with clients mostly through email and you can build your business around whatever schedule suits your mental health. | ||
Medical transcriptionist | You’ll work completely independently converting medical records into standardised formats, usually with zero patient or colleague interaction. | Complete medical terminology courses and seek remote positions with healthcare facilities. |
Best jobs for someone with depression and/or anxiety
Depression and anxiety at the same time create a brutal mental health combo where your brain tells you nothing matters whilst also panicking about everything. The right job won’t cure mental illness, but it absolutely helps by giving you structure when your motivation disappears and flexibility during episodes when just getting out of bed feels impossible.
Meaningful and low-stress roles
Purpose-driven work is perfect for people with depression because it counters the emptiness this condition creates whilst staying calm enough to not trigger anxiety spirals. These careers let you make a positive contribution to the world without the chaos that makes both conditions worse:
Job | Why it works for anxiety | Median salary | Relevant certifications |
Animal shelter worker | The daily interaction with animals gives you a chance for the emotional connection that depression normally blocks without having to rely on any human interaction. | Certificate III in Animal Care Services | |
Museum or gallery assistant | Quiet environments reduce the sensory overload that can trigger anxiety, whilst helping visitors engage with culture and art gives you meaning. | Study arts, history or cultural heritage at university. | |
Horticulturist | Working outdoors with plants reduces depression symptoms naturally and physical labour releases endorphins that will keep your brain content whilst keeping your mind busy and away from rumination. | Certificate III in Horticulture | |
Online tutor | Helping students succeed is genuinely inspiring, especially if you’ve struggled academically in the past due to depression or anxiety. Many neurodivergent people hyperfocus on a specific topic like history or biology, so you could tutor in those fields. | Leverage your existing knowledge in specific subject fields and market yourself online. |
Jobs that promote routine and self-efficacy
Routine provides structure when depression steals motivation, whilst completing achievable tasks builds the confidence you need to counter anxiety’s relentless self-doubt. These jobs for people with anxiety come with clear expectations and visible progress:
Job | Why it works for anxiety | Median salary | Relevant certifications |
Administrative officer | Daily tasks give you structure to fight off depression’s chaos and organised systems reduce the anxiety of forgetting important things that are your responsibility. | ||
Payroll officer | Processing employee payments follows strict deadlines that give you the external motivation you need when depression hits hard and numbers-based work means there’s very rarely any ambiguity about the right or wrong way to do things. | ||
Project coordinator | Breaking large projects into manageable tasks helps when depression makes everything feel overwhelming. Plus, simply ticking off a completed milestone, as small as it may be, can give you the dopamine boost you need to get through the day. | Diploma of Project Management or Certificate IV in Project Management Practice |
Part-time or flexible options
Full-time work feels impossible when depression drains your energy or anxiety attacks hit without warning. These roles let you earn extra income whilst managing your mental health realistically:
Job | Why it works for anxiety | Median salary | Relevant certifications |
Freelance marketing | Having complete control over your workload means you get to take mental health days without asking for permission and work during the hours when you function best. | Diploma of Digital Marketing, Diploma of Social Media Marketing, Advanced Diploma of Digital Marketing or Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) Course | |
Educational support roles | Part-time teaching assistant or library positions have regular shifts with regular tasks and, usually, with regular customers that you’ll get to know. | Look for part-time positions through schools or libraries that value enthusiasm over qualifications. | |
Handmade product business | Selling crafts or digital products on your schedule gives you a creative outlet that helps your mental health and your finances. Platforms like Etsy make it incredibly easy for you to sell your products without having to build your own website or process all the payments yourself. | Varies by business |
How to find the right fit
Finding work that doesn’t wreck your mental health isn’t easy, but it’s possible. You’ll first need an honest self-assessment about what specifically triggers your anxiety or worsens your depression symptoms. There’s no universal best job for people with anxiety or depression because you have to think about what triggers you. The goal is matching your needs to realistic career options rather than forcing yourself into roles that sound good but feel awful.
Assess your strengths and triggers
Start by being brutally honest about what work situations drain you versus energise you. Does constant social interaction leave you exhausted or does isolation make your depression worse? Do tight deadlines create productive pressure or trigger panic attacks? Knowing what your patterns are will help you avoid careers that just make your life a lot harder.
Professional guidance makes this process a lot easier when your brain isn’t exactly the most reliable:
Career counselling: Professional counsellors help identify realistic career options based on your skills and mental health needs without judgement.
Mental health support: Organisations like Beyond Blue and Headspace provide resources specifically about managing work with mental health conditions.
Workplace mental health programmes: Many employers now offer employee assistance programmes with confidential counselling about career decisions and mental health management.
Online assessments: Career aptitude tests combines with mental health considerations help narrow options when everything feels overwhelming.
Use training as a stepping stone
Short courses and online diplomas build skills and confidence without the overwhelming commitment of university degrees. Completing qualifications proves to yourself you’re capable whilst giving employers concrete evidence of your abilities, which matters so much when anxiety makes you doubt yourself all the time.
Monarch’s flexible online courses let you study around your mental health rather than forcing rigid schedules that ignore bad days. You can pursue any of the following nationally-recognised careers for a great job for someone with anxiety:
Monarch course | Career pathway it opens | Why it suits anxiety/depression |
Administrative officer, receptionist, office coordinator, executive assistant | Structured work with clear expectations, supportive office environments, predictable daily routine | |
IT support, help desk technician, junior web developer, technical support | Remote-friendly, technical problem-solving over constant socialising, clear solutions | |
Graphic designer, freelance creative, marketing coordinator, digital content creator | Creative expression helps mental health, portfolio-based work shows tangible achievements | |
Bookkeeper, accounts clerk, payroll officer, finance assistant | Numbers provide satisfying order, repetitive tasks feel meditative | |
Digital marketing coordinator, social media manager, content creator, SEO specialist | Creative yet structured work, mostly remote |
FAQs
What is the best job for someone with anxiety?
Generally, jobs offering structure, autonomy and minimal forced socialising work best for people with anxiety. Remote roles, technical positions and creative work with flexible schedules suit many people who suffer from anxiety.
What jobs should you avoid with anxiety?
Avoid high-pressure customer service, sales roles with aggressive targets, emergency services, teaching large classes and jobs with constant unpredictability if you have anxiety.
Can people with anxiety work full-time?
Yes, people with anxiety can work full-time. Millions of people with anxiety disorders work full-time successfully by choosing suitable roles, using coping strategies and sometimes requiring workplace accommodations.
What jobs are good for social anxiety?
Data entry, warehouse work, web development, transcription, night shifts, medical coding and remote technical support minimise the social demands that are debilitating for people with anxiety.
How can I manage anxiety while job hunting?
Break your applications into small daily tasks rather than marathon sessions. Prepare for interviews gradually by practicing common questions on your own first. Remember that rejections happen to everyone and don’t reflect your work.
What is the most peaceful job?
Librarians, archivists, night security guards, data entry clerks and remote transcriptionists report very low workplace stress.
Your mental health deserves a job that won’t wreck it
Plenty of careers across industries accommodate people with anxiety and depression without forcing you to fight battles every single day. The best job for people with anxiety comes with structure, purpose and flexibility rather than triggers. Stop settling for jobs that destroy your wellbeing.
Explore Monarch’s online certificates that can get you qualified and working in a stress-free career in as little as 12 months.
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