15 low-stress jobs for people with anxiety

Work can be a source of purpose, connection, and routine. But for people living with anxiety, especially when symptoms are chronic or intense, the demands of a traditional workplace can feel overwhelming or even unworkable.

Loud offices, constant deadlines, unclear expectations, and social pressure can turn everyday tasks into major stressors.

Still, the desire for meaningful work doesn’t disappear. Having a role that provides structure, financial stability, and a sense of contribution matters deeply. The real challenge is finding work that supports your mental health, instead of depleting it.

If you’ve ever felt like the workplace wasn’t built with your needs in mind, this guide is for you. Let’s explore job options and work environments that not only reduce stress but also make space for your strengths, goals, and wellbeing.

A note on living with anxiety

Anxiety shows up in many ways. Some people live with generalised anxiety, where persistent worry feels ever-present. Others face the intense discomfort of social anxiety, or experience panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, or physical symptoms like nausea, fatigue, a racing heart, or chest pain.

These symptoms are often triggered by pressure, unpredictability, or social demands. Anxiety can also occur alongside conditions like depression, trauma, chronic illness, or ADHD, making it harder to manage daily routines or meet workplace expectations.

It’s important to note that not all anxiety is harmful. In small amounts, anxiety can help us stay alert, meet deadlines, and deal with urgent concerns. This is often referred to as adaptive anxiety. The challenge arises when anxiety becomes excessive or constant, making it difficult to function or enjoy life. When that happens, even small tasks can feel overwhelming, and the idea of job applications, interviews, or full-time work might seem out of reach.

But anxiety doesn’t have to rule your life or keep you from goals that matter. With the right support, healthy boundaries, and a work environment that respects your needs, it’s possible to find or return to a role that feels manageable and meaningful. For many, this begins with rethinking what work looks like and making space for stability, flexibility, and wellbeing.

Your rights, your needs, and your support options

In Australia, individuals living with anxiety and other mental health conditions are protected under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. This means that employers are legally required to provide reasonable adjustments to help employees perform their roles safely and effectively, which could include flexible hours, a quieter workspace, written rather than verbal instructions, or changes to workload.

That said, disclosing a mental health condition at work is entirely voluntary. For some, it opens the door to vital support. For others, privacy feels safer. If you're unsure whether to share your diagnosis or what to say, a psychologist or employment support worker can help you think through your options.

Many workplaces also offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which provide confidential short-term counselling and wellbeing resources at no cost.

Ideal work environment for people with anxiety

Every work environment has its stressors. But what makes a big difference is how much control you have, how clearly expectations are communicated, and whether the environment allows you to work in a way that suits your brain and body.

Lower-stress jobs tend to offer:

• Predictable routines and clear tasks

• Minimal social pressure or controlled interactions

• Supportive or flexible management

• Opportunities to work independently or remotely

• Reasonable workloads and realistic deadlines

• Quiet, calm physical environments

Importantly, you should note that what feels low-stress to one person may feel overwhelming to another. Knowing your triggers, and what helps you stay regulated, can guide your decisions more effectively than job titles alone.

15 low‑stress but meaningful job ideas

Below are several roles that often provide structure, autonomy, and calm for people living with anxiety. These may not suit everyone, but they could give useful ideas about possible paths.

1. Library assistant

Working as a library assistant tends to mean helping with shelving, organising collections, doing basic customer service, and supporting library programs. The environment is generally quiet, tasks are routine, and there’s time to focus without constant urgency.

For someone with anxiety, this can offer a stable rhythm, predictable expectations, and fewer surprises.

Average salary range: $45,000 to $68,000 annually, according to Career FAQs

2. Archivist or records officer

Archivists maintain historical documents, manage records systems, digitise material, or organise archives. The role often involves long periods of individual work, careful attention to detail, and minimal external pressure once processes are in place. That consistency helps reduce the kind of uncertainty that can heighten anxiety.

Average salary range: $100,000 to $105,000 annually, according to SEEK

3. Data entry

Data entry work involves inputting information, verifying data, or cleaning up databases. Because tasks are repetitive, clearly defined, and sometimes remote, this kind of role often allows individuals to settle into a pace they can manage. Distractions are usually fewer, and social interaction is minimal.

Average salary range: Though often paid hourly, full-time roles pay $65,000 to $75,000 annually according to SEEK

4. Graphic designer

Graphic designers create visual content for print or digital media. Many positions allow flexible schedules, remote work, or freelance arrangements. The essential things are clear briefs, reasonable deadlines, and scope to use creativity. With those in place, the role can be fulfilling, letting someone express themselves while maintaining control over their workspace and time.

Average salary range: $50,000 to $60,000 for junior designers and $63,000 to over $120,000 annually for experienced designers, according to Monarch

5. Technical writer

A technical writer produces user manuals, guides, documentation, or product specs. The role often involves deep focus, clear output expectations, and fewer urgent social demands. For someone with anxiety, the lower frequency of high‑pressure meetings or public speaking can be very helpful.

Average salary range: $72,000 annually for entry-level writers, $95,000 to over $120,000 annually for mid and senior level writers, according to Clicks IT Recruitment

6. Gardener or horticulture worker

Gardening or horticulture involves hands‑on work with plants, soil, and natural elements. Being outside, having physical activity, and working at one’s own pace can be soothing. The sensory experience of tending to living things and seeing growth over time often brings a sense of calm and accomplishment.

Average salary range: $51,588 to $60,873 annually, according to Salary Expert

7. Animal care worker

Working with animals - walking dogs, feeding, cleaning enclosures, or basic welfare tasks - can bring comfort, routine, and contact with creatures who are non‑judgmental. Though there may be physical demands (lifting, cleaning), the environment is often steady and emotionally rewarding.

Average salary range: Caretakers make about $33.23 hourly, according to Indeed. Animal Shelter attendants typically earn $49,301 to $64,616 annually, according to Salary Expert.

8. Bookkeeper

Bookkeepers manage accounts, transactions, invoicing, payroll, and reconciliations. Because much of the work is regular and numbers‑oriented, tasks are logical and predictable. There is usually less social complexity than roles that rely heavily on team coordination or client management. That steadiness can help mitigate anxiety.

Average salary range: $50,000 to $70,000 annually, according to Away Digital Teams

9. Translator

Translators convert written content from one language to another, often working independently or on a freelance basis. The work is typically quiet and focused, with clear deliverables and minimal social interaction, which can suit people who prefer structure and solitude. For those fluent in a second language, it can be a rewarding way to use a skill that is both practical and valued.

Average salary: $69,011 per year, according to Indeed

10. Virtual assistant (VA)

Virtual assistants provide administrative support - email management, scheduling, data entry - for clients remotely. When clients are reasonable and communication is clear, VAs can set boundaries around workload and hours. This role allows for flexibility in location, schedule, and often pace.

Average salary range: Varies by client, experience, and hours, but the average is around $60,000 to $70,000 per year, according to SEEK

11. Craftsperson or maker

Craft work, like making jewellery, ceramics, woodworking, or textiles, lets someone work at their own pace, make tangible products, and often do work from home or small studios. This kind of work allows control over your environment, choice of projects, and pace. Many people find it therapeutic because of its hands‑on nature, creativity, and visible outcomes.

Average salary range: Often project‑based and variable, but the average annual pay is around $58,756 according to the Economic Research Institute.

12. Lab assistant

Lab assistants support research or testing work. The work tends to be methodical, logical, and organised. Social interaction is generally with a small team, and deadlines are often known well in advance. For someone who appreciates order, this can offer a stable setting.

Average salary range: $55,000 to $65,000 per year, according to Randstad

13. Park ranger or environmental field officer

Park rangers work outdoors, often in natural settings, conducting monitoring, environmental protection, trail maintenance, or interacting with the public in smaller, controlled settings. The pace is usually slower, there is physical activity, and time alone or in small teams. The natural environment itself can help reduce stress.

Average salary: $76,965 per year, according to the Economic Research Institute

14. Wellness or mindfulness instructor

Wellness or mindfulness instructors lead classes or sessions in yoga, meditation, breathing techniques, or stress‑management workshops. These roles may offer part‑time or contract work, often in smaller groups or one‑on‑one settings. Because the content is about calm, awareness, and mental health, teaching it can reinforce one’s own practice.

Average salary: $93,347 per year, according to the Economic Research Institute

15. Translator (alternative role: language tutor)

Language tutors help students improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in another language. This work is often done one-on-one or in small groups, with many tutors offering lessons online. The role allows flexibility in setting your own schedule, selecting teaching materials, and working at your own pace. For those who enjoy structured interaction and clear progress goals, tutoring can be both manageable and meaningful.

Average salary range: Varies by subject, teaching format, and experience. Most language tutors earn between $37 per hour, according to Indeed.

Final thoughts

Anxiety may influence how you approach work, but it doesn’t define your value or limit what you're capable of. The goal isn't just to find something low stress, but to discover work that meets you where you are. It should be supportive, steady, and flexible, while still offering enough challenges to help you grow and feel fulfilled.

If you’re not ready to return to work or pursue a major change, that’s completely valid. Recovery isn't linear, and sometimes the most important steps are the smallest ones. Volunteering, short-term projects, or part-time roles can gently rebuild your confidence and clarify what kind of work environment feels right.

You also don’t have to figure it out on your own. A psychologist, mental health-informed career advisor, or peer support worker can guide you through the process at your own pace. The right job won’t drain you or demand all your energy. It will help you feel safe, purposeful, and capable, without compromising your wellbeing.