Have chronic pain and looking for a job?
Finding a job when suffering from chronic pain can seem like a daunting task. Many people worry that the physical or emotional demands of a job will aggravate their condition. With an estimated 20% of U.S. adults living with chronic pain according to the CDC, millions of people are left wondering what type of work is best for them; for example, many people with chronic pain need a flexible schedule and a job that doesn’t require significant physical exertion. We at Mission: Cure are passionate about advancing effective treatments in pain management, specifically for those living with pancreatitis, and improving the lives of those who experience chronic pain. Read on to learn more about chronic pain, the 10 best jobs for chronic pain sufferers, and career advice for those who experience pain regularly.
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is pain that endures for three months or longer, persisting beyond usual recovery time or occurring due to a chronic health condition, such as chronic pancreatitis. The pain may be continuous or may occur off and on over a period of time. There are two main types of chronic pain in the human body: neuropathic and nociceptive pain.
Neuropathic pain, also known as nerve pain, occurs when the nerve fibers become damaged and send pain signals to the brain, despite the organ being normal. In other words, this kind of pain is a result of the body sending pain signals to the brain unprompted.
Nociceptive pain, on the other hand, is a result of damage to body tissue. This type of pain is transient and disappears after the stimulus that initially provoked the pain is removed.
No matter what type of pain you’re experiencing, chronic pain can show up in many ways across your body. Some examples of chronic pain include:
- Abdominal pain
- Joint pain
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Pain due to cancer, near tumors
- Migraines and headaches
- Pelvic pain
- Testicular pain
- Scar tissue pain
- Muscle pain
- Bone pain
- Neurogenic pain, from damage to the nerves or other parts of the nervous system
10 of the Best Jobs for People with Chronic Pain
A lot goes into deciding which jobs to pursue and getting offered a job you are interested in. Ideally, you want to find a job that uses skills that you enjoy using, allows you to be with colleagues you like, and where the work is meaningful to you. Of course, your personal strengths, experience, and training determine which jobs you are qualified for. We hope this list gives you ideas for careers to explore.
1. Web Developer
National Average Salary: $78,300
Web Development is one of the most in-demand jobs right now and does not require a degree to break into the field. To become a web developer, a strong portfolio is necessary, and knowledge of programming and graphic design is recommended. A web developer’s primary role is to create appealing and easy-to-navigate websites, along with maintaining website performance and capacity. This career has many hybrid or work-from-home opportunities available, and there may also be some flexibility in hours or contract work within this career. Additionally, web development can be performed from the comfort of your desk, and does not require manual labor.
2. Recruiter
National Average Salary: $54,445
Recruiters help businesses and organizations review and suggest potential candidates for hire by conducting the hiring process for them. This role requires interviewing potential hires, evaluating job experiences and skill sets, and matching candidates to the appropriate job. Recruiters use digital communication, and their work is often done from the comfort of a desk in a corporate or home office. This position doesn’t necessarily require a degree, however, it can definitely help. Recruiters often hold degrees in psychology, business, marketing, sociology, and/or human resources.
3. Therapist
National Average Rate: $35/hour
While becoming a therapist requires extensive education and training, when they finish their training, therapists have the capacity to create their own schedules and working environments. Additionally, there are many different types of therapy practices that individuals can choose to specialize in, depending on their specific passion. These include individual and family therapy, along with therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
4. Copywriter
National Average Salary: $51,500
Copywriting is another career that has many opportunities for hybrid and remote work and is performed at a desk, without physical labor. Copywriters are responsible for written content, such as advertisements, newsletters, websites, and catalogs. This content is often for the purpose of marketing and can be done within a company (in-house) or for many companies that outsource to your specific employer (in-agency).
5. Accountant
National Average Salary: $60,727
Accounting is a great career for those with strong analytical and math skills. Accountants help businesses and individuals handle bookkeeping and organize financial documents, such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and tax reports. Those interested in accounting need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business to begin working in the field. This role is often done in an office environment, but more and more hybrid and remote roles are becoming available within this field.
6. Food Delivery Driver
National Average Salary: $39,247
Becoming a food delivery driver through platforms such as Uber Eats or Doordash offers a lot of flexibility in your work schedule. This position involves driving to various restaurants, picking up food and beverage orders, and delivering them to customers. While this position does involve movement (primarily walking and lifting items) and sitting in a car, which may be uncomfortable for some people, delivery drivers have the option to determine when they work and what orders they accept. This means that drivers can opt out of more strenuous deliveries, and, if a pain flare-up does occur, drivers have the freedom to clock out whenever they need to.
7. Business Analyst
National Average Salary: $81,900
Business analysts support organizations by analyzing large sets of data to identify effective ways of improving an organization’s performance. This role typically requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and requires skills in data analytics and business forecasting. This role can be done in-office, typically from a desk, or remotely. There are also opportunities to become a consultant within this field, which may offer opportunities in creating a schedule that’s better suited to your chronic pain needs.
8. Customer Service Representative
National Average Salary: $37,836
There are currently many hybrid and remote opportunities to become a Customer Service Representative available, as many call centers are transitioning away from physical locations. This position is typically done from a desk and is primarily focused on helping customers with complaints and questions, giving customers information about products and services, taking orders, and processing returns. Experience in client-facing jobs will help you land this role, along with knowledge of technology systems that may be utilized by your potential employer.
9. Remote Online Notary
National Average Rate: $18.01/Hour
Notaries serve as publicly commissioned officials. The primary duty of a notary is to verify the authenticity of documents and be an impartial witness to the legally binding signing of documents. Each state has its own qualifications and application/examination process to become a notary. As this role can be done online, this job opportunity offers flexibility and at-home comfort for those with chronic pain.
10. Cybersecurity Specialist
National Average Salary: $85,022
Cybersecurity Specialists can work fully remote and are responsible for protecting companies from online threats by monitoring vulnerabilities and risks in networks and software systems. A cybersecurity specialist often needs a bachelor’s or relevant certifications to enter this field. This role is in high demand and can be good for those with chronic pain.
25 More Remote and Hybrid Jobs to Consider for Chronic Pain
- Online Tutor/Remote Instructor
- Graphic Designer
- User-Generated Content (UGC) Creator
- Loan Officer
- Software Engineer
- Uber/Lyft Driver
- Virtual Assistant
- Virtual Bilingual Interpreter
- Social Media Manager
- Grant Writer
- Actuary
- Journalist
- Career Coach
- Online Marketer
- Transcriber
- Data Entry
- Online Psychiatrist
- Compliance Officer
- Proofreader
- UX Designer
- Public Relations Specialist
- SEO Specialist
- Insurance Underwriter
- House Sitter
- Illustrator/Animator
Tips for Your Job Search as a Chronic Pain Sufferer
Utilize LinkedIn’s Helpful Remote/Hybrid Filter
LinkedIn has a helpful tool when it comes to finding jobs that offer work-from-home options or are fully remote – the “On-Site/Remote” filter. This filter allows you to choose between three options: on-site, remote, and hybrid. As someone with chronic pain, this filter can help you narrow down your search to find jobs that are a good fit for your physical well-being.
Research Your Potential Employer’s Health Benefits
For those with chronic pain, especially chronic pain as a result of chronic illness, the number of doctors and physical therapy visits can become a strain on your wallet. Research your potential employer’s health benefits, and see if the insurance they provide aligns well with your medical needs before committing to a job offer. Additionally, some companies are now adopting an unlimited number of PTO (paid time off) days, which is helpful when it is available.
Look Into Your Potential Employer’s Company Culture
Flexibility is important when it comes to living with chronic pain. Companies that value their employees’ health and well-being are more likely to meet chronic pain sufferers with compassion when they need specific accommodations. We recommend looking into the culture of the company you’re considering through anonymous review sites such as Glassdoor. This can help you get a feel of what the environment is like prior to accepting a new position.
Reasons to Change Jobs when Living With Chronic Pain
Quitting your job as a result of chronic pain is a hard decision to make, but sometimes it’s necessary in order to preserve your health. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and there are many reasons why a job change may be in your best interest.
Your Job Causes You Anxiety
When your job is unable to meet your health needs, it can contribute to anxiety, which takes a toll on your body and further damages your overall quality of life. Switching to a new career that’s better suited for your chronic pain can help ease this stress and preserve your overall health.
Your Job Demands Physical Labor
Jobs that are labor intensive can sometimes aggravate your existing pain. Switching to a career that requires minimal physical activity can help limit this. It can also save money that would otherwise go to additional doctor visits and physical therapy appointments.
Your Job is Inflexible
Living with chronic pain comes with uncertainties, such as when you’ll experience a pain flare-up. Switching to a job with a flexible schedule and opportunities to work from home as needed can help take control of these uncertainties by giving you more options on how you can care for yourself.
Your Job Doesn’t Have Good Health Insurance
Chronic pain is something you didn’t expect to be a part of your life long-term, and sometimes that means the job you have can no longer meet your health needs. Finding a new job with better health benefits is especially important in regard to being able to access effective treatments.
Managing Chronic Pain while Working
A successful career while living with chronic pain is possible, and there are tools that can help manage your chronic pain while working easier as well. Here are four tips for managing your chronic pain during the workday.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Wearing comfortable clothing and shoes that don’t contribute to additional pain or discomfort is important for chronic pain sufferers. Certain clothing items in particular, such as compression socks, loose-fitting items, and specialty shoes, could also be of benefit to you. We recommend speaking with your doctors for suggestions on whether specific clothing items can help with your specific type of pain.
Take Short Breaks, Often
Taking a five to ten-minute break every hour can help you decompress, ground yourself, and check in with your body. This can be time to meditate and reflect, or get up and stretch. Depending on the underlying cause and type of pain, a short walk may also help during this time as well. Speak with your doctor first about what type of activity is best for you during this break.
Have a Go-Bag
Being prepared is one of the best ways to handle a flare-up. Keep a go-bag with you throughout the workday that includes all the necessary items you may need when experiencing pain. This includes items such as prescribed medications, hot or cold compresses, and medical emergency contact lists.
Speak with Your Employer
Talking with your employer about your chronic pain may be beneficial to you in finding appropriate solutions and accommodations in regard to your chronic pain. Human resources may also be of assistance during this time as well, informing you of relevant policies you may not have been aware of before your chronic pain diagnosis. There are even toolkits that you can direct your employer to, such as the International MYOPAIN Society’s Employer Toolkit for chronic pain, which may guide your employer in learning effective ways to prevent chronic pain company-wide.
Resources for Chronic Pain
Living with chronic pain can be both physically and mentally exhausting. Know you are not alone, and that there are many different organizations and resources available to help you if you experience chronic pain.
U.S. Pain Foundation
The U.S. Pain Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving those who live with conditions that cause chronic pain, as well as their caregivers and care providers. The organization offers many programs to chronic pain sufferers, including support groups and a pain plan creator, which can help you identify a personal list of treatments to try. If you’re not in the U.S., IASP also has a helpful list of organizations that may be able to help.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
If you believe that your chronic pain may qualify as a disability, meaning that it substantially limits activities related to your job, then you may be qualified to claim disability under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides free, expert, and confidential information on Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, workplace accommodations, and disability employment. If you’re not sure what accommodations may ease your chronic pain, JAN also has a list that may help you or your employer come up with solutions.
Chronically Capable
Chronically Capable is a platform for job seekers to find employment opportunities that are dedicated to hiring, supporting, and elevating those living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. The platform matches you to potential jobs based on your specific needs and also connects you with a community of chronically ill and disabled professionals.
National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
If your chronic pain is a result of disability, connecting with the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) may help if you need legal assistance in employment. The NDRN is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP). There is a P&A/CAP agency in every state and U.S. territory as well as one serving the Native American population in the four corners region. This organization provides legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.
