The 10 Best Jobs For People With Depression

Like any physical disability, depression can have just as strong of an effect on your performance in the workplace. The reality is that depressive illnesses can affect your ability to focus, motivate yourself, and even remember tasks effectively.

And these issues are becoming more prevalent, as nearly 1/10 American adults now suffer from some form of depressive illness. If you count yourself among one of those individuals, you should be commended for searching out this list. No doubt, finding a job that is doable, rewarding, and empathetic towards your illness can be difficult.

However, some jobs manage to check all three of those boxes. Stay tuned if you want to hear about the top 10 jobs for anyone suffering from depression.

Detailed List of the 10 Best Jobs for People With Depression

Freelancer

Average Salary: $55,020 per year
Jobs Available: 1,507
Job Growth Rate: 3%

Freelancing is a great choice for many reasons. First and foremost, freelance jobs often have flexible scheduling and require minimal social interaction. Plus, many freelancers are regularly able to work from home.

In combination, those three factors allow for an extremely healthy work-life balance and allow you to feel like your own boss without the stresses that come with running your own business. You’ll probably find that this level of freedom makes it far easier for you to cope with symptoms of depression.

On top of that, most freelance jobs even pay well, at an average of $26.45 per hour!

Most freelance work falls under communications, information technology, and creative arts. Some common freelance jobs include editors, designers, software engineers, web developers, and writers.

Of course, every job has its downsides, and freelancing is no exception. One of the biggest drawbacks is that most positions are akin to part-time work, meaning that you might not receive any benefits.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that 69% of freelancers have a bachelor’s degree, meaning that your education will play a role in your ability to become one.

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Dog Walker/Pet Sitter

Average Salary: $20,714 per year
Jobs Available: 22,056
Job Growth Rate: 16%

If you love animals and have experience with them, being a dog walker or pet sitter could be a great fit for you. In fact, this can be one of the best jobs for those struggling with depression, as up to 97% of studied patients have shown improved mental health after interacting with animals.

Further, dog walking or pet sitting also allows you to have a flexible schedule and stay active. You’ll be able to smell the fresh air and enjoy the scenery every time you work. Getting that daily dose of vitamin D and exercise has also been proven to reduce symptoms of depression.

Of course, the obvious downside to dog walking or pet sitting is the lack of pay and benefits. However, with a job growth rate of 16%, there’s no shortage of clients who will need your services. Plus, this does come with the perk of picking and choosing who you want to work with.

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Horticulturist

Average Salary: $34,038 per year
Jobs Available: 131
Job Growth Rate: 7%

Horticulturists and other similar jobs like gardeners or landscapers primarily concern themselves with the propagation of plant life. Jobs like these are great for someone struggling with mental health, as working with plants increases the production of serotonin and oxytocin in the brain.

Horticulturalists in particular often spend their time restoring natural biomes by helping to regenerate the local flora, which can be a very therapeutic process. Again, lots of vitamin D, with a low-stress work environment as a bonus.

In general, the only major downside to this kind of work is that it can have sparse availability. However, if you’re more open to other related fields, you can find a gardening or landscaping position that requires little to no formal education and experience.

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Photographer

Average Salary: $49,482 per year
Jobs Available: 8,300
Job Growth Rate: -6%

Like any artistic job, becoming a successful photographer has many different avenues you can take. You can have your own business, take commercial photography, take wedding photography, or fill any number of other niches.

You also might be surprised to know that the average photographer makes over $23 per hour, which is far from the “starving artist” cliche you might imagine.

This freedom, blended with the need for activity and creativity, makes photography a wonderful line of work for anyone struggling with depression. As a photographer, you can expect to experience making beautiful places, people, animals, and things, which can help you cope with your symptoms.

The only major downside to pursuing photography is the learning curve, as you’ll need to study techniques before you become a professional. This, combined with slow job growth, can make it difficult to compete with other photographers. However, this can also be positive, giving you a new hobby to hone or pursue.

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Park Ranger

Average Salary: $43,777 per year
Jobs Available: 3,518
Job Growth Rate: 3%

Speaking of beautiful places, working as a park ranger can also be a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, as well as get some peace and quiet while you’re working. Typically, the most stressful thing park rangers have to deal with is filing the occasional incident report.

But that’s worth it when you get to be surrounded by any number of the most breathtaking places in the U.S. Plus, you’ll make an average of $21.05 per hour doing so.

The only drawback is that you’ll likely need some form of relevant education, as 62.3% of part rangers have a bachelor’s degree. That said, you might also find several internship programs you can dive into to acquire the experience you need.

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Postal Carrier

Average Salary: $53,129 per year
Jobs Available: 1,101
Job Growth Rate: -21%

Making an impressive $25.54 an hour on average, becoming a postal carrier is a great option for anyone who wants to maintain their wallet and mental health. For the most part, this career involves the sorting and delivery of mail.

Luckily, such work allows you to have plenty of meditative drive time, where you don’t have to worry about straining yourself mentally. On top of that, you’ll be able to avoid large crowds and meetings all day, every day. With that in mind, this job is a great choice for anyone who loves driving.

And the best part? This respectable salary can be achieved without even needing a college degree.

Of course, the biggest downside to this line of work is the current lack of opportunity. This line of work has a current growth rate of -21%, but hopefully, this will change in the future.

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Librarian

Average Salary: $50,211 per year
Jobs Available: 1,179
Job Growth Rate: 6%

Libraries are well known to be quiet places where everything is just a little more peaceful. Knowing that, if you’re someone who benefits from social interaction, working in a library is a great place to have calm, positive interactions with co-workers and customers.

Plus, you’ll usually be able to work at a relaxed pace and give yourself the time to perform tasks effectively. Further, you can take joy in knowing that you’re making a difference in the lives of children and adults in your community through reading and writing.

The only downside to pursuing a librarian career is that you may need a bachelor’s or master’s degree, as 56% of librarians have a bachelor’s and 20% have a master’s.

However, if you want to get into library work as quickly as possible, you can always apply for a library assistant role. While your starting income will only be around $13 per hour, you’ll be able to get your foot in the door.

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Craftsman

Average Salary: $43,751 per year
Jobs Available: 691
Job Growth Rate: 1%

Hobbies are a great way to combat depression, and being a craftsman allows you to put your trade front and center. Whether you enjoy making jewelry, furniture, or any other craft, making money for doing something you enjoy can go a long way.

While not always, many craftsmen benefit from being their own boss and most certainly perform tasks that keep them engaged.

You also get the opportunity to focus and hone in on your craft, rather than exhausting yourself through a wide range of daily tasks. Further, you’ll feel motivated knowing that your crafts will be enjoyed by someone else.

Overall, the only downside to pursuing a career as a craftsman is the need to hone your craft. This motivation might be difficult to find at first if you lack experience. However, taking the time to learn or master a craft can also help you with your mental illness.

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Merchandising Associate

Average Salary: $29,885 per year
Jobs Available: 330,085
Job Growth Rate: -2%

Merchandising is a great choice if you struggle with conventional schedules or are worried about education and qualifications. At least 1/4th of merchandising employees work with only a high school diploma, and many others only have an associate’s degree.

As mentioned, merchandising can be great for someone with depression if you struggle to function on a 9-5 schedule or if you struggle with social interaction. You’ll get to spend most of your time organizing inventory with a relatively flexible schedule.

Though, this job isn’t perfect for everyone. If monotonous tasks make your depression symptoms worse, there are other jobs on this list that might be more suited for you.

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Tutoring Assistant

Average Salary: $30,794 per year
Jobs Available: 6,504
Job Growth Rate: 4%

Teaching can be therapeutic for many reasons, the first of which is that you get to have a positive impact on the lives of others. Luckily, tutoring has all the positive aspects of traditional teaching, minus the overly stressful regulations and schedules.

As a tutor, you’ll be able to have a flexible schedule, plus a high likelihood of work-from-home availability. This freedom will allow you to manage your mental health while also finding fulfillment from those you educate.

Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that tutors usually need a relevant degree in whatever it is they’re teaching. However, if you’ve already taught in the past, becoming a tutor may be a great alternative option if you’re currently struggling with depression symptoms.

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What to Look for In Jobs for People With Depression

It’s important to understand what to look for in a job when you’re struggling with depression. These characteristics can help you understand which jobs are right for you by determining what helps and hinders you the most.

Overall, here are some things to look for in a job when you’re concerned about your mental health:

Work from home availability
Flexible/Low-pressure schedule
Positive workplace culture
Not being required to partake in large meetings or group activities
Jobs where you can be your own boss
Tasks that keep you active and engaged

Due to the abundance of jobs that don’t follow these criteria, it can be easy to feel that working damages your mental state, or maybe even that working at all is impossible. However, the truth is that a positive, beneficial job can actually help you cope with symptoms of depression.

While the obvious benefits are things like income and health insurance, the less obvious benefits can be even more important for someone struggling with depression.

For example, the right job can prevent you from isolating yourself by allowing you to socialize with understanding individuals. This job can also motivate you in and out of the workplace and reduce your stress levels. Plus, while it might seem difficult at the moment, a good job can even give you a clear vision of what you want in the future.

Motivation for People With Depression

Trying to get a job or change jobs when you’re depressed can often seem like a daunting task, but we’re proud of you for taking this first step!

When in doubt, when you’re struggling to motivate yourself, it’s important to reach out to friends, family members, or other loved ones. In addition, there are many therapists, counselors, or job coaches who can assist you in moving toward beneficial careers.

Even if things feel difficult right now, don’t give up. Remind yourself that the right job will ultimately help you with your symptoms.

Sources

Johns Hopkins. “Mental Health Disorder Statistics.” Accessed on November 29th, 2021.
CPP. “The cat’s out of the bag: Animals play a big role in boosting our mental health.” Accessed on November 29th, 2021.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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