There's no denying it: America's shaky economy has U.S. workers worried. In the midst of this uncertainty, baby boomers, in particular, are feeling more torn than ever. Many want to retire, but have significant doubts as to whether or not they can afford to withdraw from the world of work. One solution to this dilemma that is becoming increasingly appealing to baby boomers is to stay in the work force, but scale back from the demands of their current career. In doing so, many are opting to search for new jobs that are less stressful, while still providing the security needed to weather the current economic climate.
Career expert Laurence Shatkin identifies many rewarding, low-stress occupations in his recently released book, "150 Best Low-Stress Jobs."
"Many of these occupations have a high concentration of older workers because their low level of stress permits them to avoid burnout and postpone retirement. Some of these jobs might be good choices for baby boomers planning a career change late in life, perhaps in retirement," Shatkin says.
After determining which jobs were associated with the least amount of stress, Shatkin identified the best occupations for people age 55 and older, according to a combined score based on each job's annual earnings, percent growth and annual openings.
Here are Shatkin's top 10 low-stress jobs for baby boomers:
Annual Earnings: $68,600
Percent Growth: 18.0 percent
Annual Openings: 15,979
Construction and building inspectors
Annual Earnings: $46,570
Percent Growth: 18.2 percent
Annual Openings: 12,606
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists
Annual Earnings: $37,660
Percent Growth: 11.5 percent
Annual Openings: 25,428
Industrial machinery mechanics
Annual Earnings: $41,050
Percent Growth: 9.0 percent
Annual Openings: 23,361
Maintenance and repair workers, general
Annual Earnings: $31,910
Percent Growth: 10.1 percent
Annual Openings: 165,502
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
Annual Earnings: $40,440
Percent Growth: 12.3 percent
Annual Openings: 11,037
Annual Earnings: $46,300
Percent Growth: 23.3 percent
Annual Openings: 1,416
Annual Earnings: $49,060
Percent Growth: 3.6 percent
Annual Openings: 18,945
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators
Annual Earnings: $36,070
Percent Growth: 13.8 percent
Annual Openings: 9,575
Farm, ranch and other agricultural managers
Annual Earnings: $52,070
Percent Growth: 1.1 percent
Annual Openings: 18,101
