10 occupations that burn the most calories

10 occupations that burn the most calories

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SALT LAKE CITY — If you have a desk job, you've heard it time and time again: Sitting all day is killing you. Those eight hours or more that the average American spends in a chair, topped with more time sitting in front of the TV after work, add up, and have the potential to do long-term damage to your body.

Of course, it's difficult to be more active during working hours when your job requires you to use a computer. That is why many people invest in standing desks or make an effort to exercise in the morning or at lunch.

With this in mind, HealthGrove found the jobs where lack of activity is not an issue. The health visualization site, part of the Graphiq network, used data from the Compendium of Physical Activities to identify the occupations that burn the most calories.

The list is ranked by the hourly caloric burn for both the average American male (191 lbs) and female (159 lbs). Ties are taken into consideration and noted when applicable, along with descriptions of certain jobs.

Note: The HealthGrove data team removed a small number of rare or obscure occupations from the raw dataset for the purposes of this article. You can find the full dataset in the Compendium of Physical Activities, as referenced above.

#10. Lawn Keeper

[Caloric Burn of Lawn Keeper vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/7P6QIGMr8BD?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
*(yardwork, general)*

Female Average Caloric Burn: 302.9
Male Average Caloric Burn: 363.9

#9. Garbage Collector

[Caloric Burn of Garbage Collector vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/iOrZvHkwhnL?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
*(walking, dumping bins into trucks)*

Female Average Caloric Burn: 302.9
Male Average Caloric Burn: 363.9

(tie)

#9. Elder Care

[Caloric Burn of Elder Care vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/2krhkbvozdz?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
*(for disabled adults, active periods)*

Female Average Caloric Burn: 302.9
Male Average Caloric Burn: 363.9

(tie)

#9. Massage Therapist

[Caloric Burn of Massage Therapist Work vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/djMq7c3tHZH?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
**Female Average Caloric Burn:** 302.9 **Male Average Caloric Burn:** 363.9

(tie)

#9. Construction Worker

[Caloric Burn of Construction Work vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/azrDpWpXqiF?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
*(outside, remodeling or new structures)*

Female Average Caloric Burn: 302.9
Male Average Caloric Burn: 363.9

(tie)

#8. Crab Fishing

[Caloric Burn of Crab Fishing vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/lyMMcWY2z4N?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
**Female Average Caloric Burn:** 340.8 **Male Average Caloric Burn:** 409.4

#7. Roofing

[Caloric Burn of Roofing vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/54M41r8UQUB?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
**Female Average Caloric Burn:** 454.4 **Male Average Caloric Burn:** 545.8

#6. Coal Mining

[Caloric Burn of Coal Mining vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/g47cOrGZZGJ?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
*(shoveling coal)*

Female Average Caloric Burn: 477.1
Male Average Caloric Burn: 573.1

#5. Farming

[Caloric Burn of Farming vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/6rWsn3XFZL7?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
*(bailing hay or cleaning barn)*

Female Average Caloric Burn: 590.7
Male Average Caloric Burn: 709.5

#4. Forestry

[Caloric Burn of Forestry Work vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/hrhBa4vL8xf?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
*(felling trees)*

Female Average Caloric Burn: 605.8
Male Average Caloric Burn: 727.7

#3. Steel Mill Work

[Caloric Burn of Steel Mill Work vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/XgSYyGDqn3?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
*(tending furnace)*

Female Average Caloric Burn: 628.5
Male Average Caloric Burn: 755

#2. Firefighter

[Caloric Burn of Fire Fighter Work vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/bWC1LzeIz9b?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
*(hauling hoses or carrying equipment, in full gear)*

Female Average Caloric Burn: 681.5
Male Average Caloric Burn: 818.7

#1. Skindiving

[Caloric Burn of Skindiving vs. Common Activities | HealthGrove](https://www.graphiq.com/wlp/9chf4jBchs9?data-uid=a97f43574c&data-partner=original-research&data-campaign=f740d9bb07)
*(frogman or Navy Seal)*

Female Average Caloric Burn: 908.7
Male Average Caloric Burn: 1091.6

Research More Nutritional Information on HealthGrove

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Natalie Morin, Graphiq

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