Sometimes, you can’t wait to burst into the office on Monday morning, grab coffee with your office bestie and trade weekend stories with your coworkers. And sometimes, you wish Britney would stop tapping her pencil, Dale would chew with his mouth closed, and Chad would cool it with the mansplaining.
Coworkers, clients, and people in general can be downright draining. Out of the 83 percent of American workers who consider themselves to be stressed on the job, 11 percent cited annoying coworkers as the main reason for their stress. That stress can get overwhelming, and if you’ve been pushed past the point of exhaustion, you may find yourself reconsidering your career path.
Navigating workplace dynamics can be challenging, and the constant interaction with difficult colleagues can take a toll on your mental health. Whether it’s the constant interruptions, the lack of personal space, or the endless meetings that seem to go nowhere, the daily grind can feel like a never-ending cycle of frustration. For those who thrive in solitude or prefer a quieter work environment, the traditional office setting might not be the best fit.
For a little inspiration, check out these 20 jobs that don’t require you to deal with other people.
Read more: 25 of the Best Jobs to Work from Home
20 jobs for people who are tired of people
1. Computer programmer
Average salary: $86,550
If you like numbers more than people, computer programming may be right up your alley. Typically armed with computer science degrees, computer programmers spend much of their time at their desks creating software programs and apps. You’ll troubleshoot, manage bugs, and write code for hours. Not too much human interaction there...not to mention you’ll get to be a part of exciting technological advancements!
2. Translator
Average salary: $45,697
If you’re bilingual, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Translators often translate written work, ranging from literature to news articles and beyond. Since it’s independent work, it can be done anywhere, and you’ll be free to have as little human interaction as your heart desires. A degree isn’t always required, (especially for native speakers) but a bachelor’s in the language you’re translating will only help your prospects.
3. Mathematician
Average salary: $105,030
If you excel in math but aren’t a people person, becoming a mathematician might be an excellent plan. Like computer programmers, mathematicians spend a lot of time sitting at their desks, crunching numbers, and analyzing data. Most mathematicians have advanced degrees in mathematics, but some entry level positions accept people with bachelor's degrees. There are a variety of industries that need mathematicians, so no matter your other interests, you’ll likely be able to incorporate them into your new work.
4. Blogger
Average salary: $32,800
Do you have a passion for fashion? Totally obsessed with politics or celebrity gossip? No matter what your interests are, there’s probably an audience for it, and blogging is a pretty solitary activity. And the good news is, no degree is required! Although to live in most cities, you’ll need supplemental income to get by on a blogger’s salary, occasionally, blogs go viral and bloggers become millionaires. Most independent bloggers work from home, and with a little knowledge of internet trends, blogging can be a career.
5. Technical writer
Average salary: $61,075
If you like writing but wouldn’t necessarily consider yourself to be creative, technical writing might be a good fit. Technical writers author things like instruction manuals and user guides, and they can usually work from home. Typically, technical writers hold degrees in areas like communications or English, but other companies like to hire writers with expertise in fields related to their business, such as engineering. Once again, human interaction can be as limited as you want it to be!
Read more: What Does a Technical Writer Do?
6. Accountant
Average salary: $51,796
Accounting might sound a little dry to some, but it’s definitely a solitary profession and is predicted to be fast-growing in the coming years. Most of your time will be spent keeping and interpreting financial records for individuals or for corporate clients. A bachelor’s degree in finance or business administration is required. Although you may have to work in an office and will have to interact with clients, the work itself is very independent.
7. Postal worker
Average salary: $52,060
Does driving alone, just you and the open road, help to clear your head? Maybe a position as a postal worker is your dream job! Postal service workers sort and deliver mail, often starting their days early in the morning. Most of your time will be spent driving to deliver mail, and although some interactions with customers are required, you’ll be alone for most of the day. Not to mention, you’ll be up in time to catch some gorgeous sunrises!
8. Virtual assistant
Average salary: $19.08/hr
If color-coded planners, lists, and Google calendars rock your world, try becoming a virtual assistant! It seems counterintuitive to think that an assistant would be a solitary job, but virtual assistants spend little to no time with other people. Most of a virtual assistant’s time is spent scheduling, responding to emails, and booking appointments on the phone or digitally. If you’re a super organized person obsessed with event planning, it could be a good fit.
9. Author
Average salary: $51,180
If you like dreaming up magical worlds, or have a lot of knowledge to share, consider becoming an author. Although pay can be slim until your first publication, the payback can be huge. A degree is not required, but if you are interested in non-fiction, it might help to have expertise in your subject area. Most of your day will be spent doing research, writing, or editing your work. If you love to travel, this could be a great option, because some authors travel for research, and you can write from anywhere in the world.
10. Biomedical engineer
Average salary: $67,763
Love the intersection of science and technology? Why not become a biomedical engineer? Biomedical engineers spend most days working in research facilities, developing equipment and software to advance medical technologies. At least a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or a related field is required. Although there will likely be other people working on projects with you, you will spend large amounts of your time alone doing individual research.
11. Economist
Average salary: $78,021
Economists study the production and distribution of resources and use that knowledge to forecast trends in the economy. Although many economists work for the government, you’ll be spending a lot more time around numbers and data than other people. A bachelor’s degree in economics is required for most government positions, although there are more opportunities with a master’s or a PhD.
12. Dog walker
Average salary: $14.97/hr
People might not be your forte, but how about puppies? If you vibe with animals, consider becoming a professional dog walker. Not only will you get to spend time with adorable pooches, but with all that walking you’ll get your steps in for the day in no time. And the best part? Dogs can’t talk, so kiss the days of dealing with Chatty Kathy goodbye.
13. Graphic designer
Average salary: $46,285
Are you tech savvy with an artistic twist? Graphic designers create visual media, and the industry opportunities are endless. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to play with color and design as you craft everything from logos to t-shirt designs. Usually, a degree in graphic design, journalism, or art is a requirement.
14. Social media manager
Average salary: $51,807
Despite the name, social media doesn’t involve much real-life social interaction at all! So if you've been obsessed with social media since your MySpace days—or became addicted to TikTok during the pandemic—it may be time to put that interest to good use and become a social media manager. Most companies have social media presences at this point, and the opportunities for industries to work in is endless. Usually, a degree in journalism or communications is required, but not always.
Read more: Your Guide to Using LinkedIn to Find a Job
15. Video editor
Average salary: $48,737
A job watching movies for a living? Yes please! Technically that’s exactly what video editors do—they watch and edit videos, whether that’s for feature films, news organizations, or YouTube channels. Typically, a bachelor’s degree in media or film studies is acceptable, although for managerial positions, a master’s degree might be required.
16. Actuary
Average salary: $96,542
Similar to accountants, actuaries help clients to manage financial risk by using statistics to estimate impacts of financial decisions. You’ll spend most of your time reviewing financial data, making predictions about those data, and communicating the information to clients. Although some social interaction is required, for the most part, the job is pretty independent. A degree in finance is required.
17. Data entry
Average salary: $13.91/hr
Speedy typists listen up! A job in data entry could put your skills to perfect use. Data entry professionals use processing programs to transcribe and enter data into documentation platforms. In many cases, this work can be done from home, and the hours are often flexible. Generally, only a high school diploma is required for most data entry positions, but a bachelor’s definitely doesn’t hurt.
18. Street photographer
Average salary: $36,509
Maybe you’re fascinated by people...you just don’t want to actually talk to them. Why not become a street photographer? Like many other freelance artistic careers, the pay varies, but there’s all the freedom in the world to showcase your creativity. You can travel the world as well, because this is definitely not an office job. A degree is not a requirement, although education in photography or fine arts would help.
19. Artist
Average salary: $20.55/hr
Does sitting alone in nature sound like a dream? No coworkers, no phones ringing, just you, some paints, and your easel? Sounds like you’re an artist at heart! Although some artists paint people, you could focus your energy on landscapes, animal portraiture, or architectural drawings. The media you use and where you live is entirely up to you as well. Although a career in arts or even in business (if you want to market your work) might be helpful, it’s not a requirement for freelance artists.
20. Web developer
Average salary: $60,050
A final job for our tech gurus! In addition to building websites using coding languages, web developers are often responsible for designing, editing, and producing web content. Generally, a degree in computer science, programming, or a related field is necessary. Although some customer contact is required, the design process itself is independent.
Read more: 15+ Jobs for People with Social Anxiety
