The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there are certain jobs causing carpal tunnel syndrome more frequently than other jobs. They published data regarding these occupations and correlated it to having this painful and numbing hand disorder.

The CDC also announced that carpal tunnel syndrome is now the most common hand disorder in the USA. And the alarming thing about carpal tunnel is that it’s still on the rise!

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The primary carpal tunnel symptoms include hand or finger pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. Symptoms in the thumb are usually more pronounced. However, the little finger is not affected. Stressed tendons cause carpal tunnel syndrome. 

That's why doctors characterize it as a type of repetitive strain injury or RSI. In fact, repetitive hand activity is the common thread among jobs causing carpal tunnel. Repetitive, rapid, and forceful motions (like constant grip-and-release) seem to be the key to causing this condition.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports additional surprising data. The lifetime risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome is about 10% of adults. It's equally high for another commonly seen RSI; wrist tendonitis. Together, these “musculoskeletal disorders” account for 70% of all occupational illnesses.

In addition to the above statistics, doctors know that carpal tunnel syndrome is the fourth most often diagnosis condition. It's also commonly misdiagnosed.

Given it's high incidence, it's not surprising that carpal tunnel release surgery is the second most performed surgery in the USA. Only back surgery is more often performed. 

Over 4.8 million people have a new diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome every year. This assumes a US working population of 160 million. 

Other amazing statistics about carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• 5.8% – Percent of the total population who have carpal tunnel syndrome right now (according to NIH).

• 16% – Percent of the US working population who have symptoms of repetitive stress injury.



• 81% – Proportion of clerical workers who have carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration(OSHA) says the problem of carpal tunnel syndrome is on a steep rise. Certain occupations have a higher risk of causing hand pain and are more prone to have employees lose job time. OSHA lists these jobs (with the hand tasks that cause the problem) below.

By far, the most common jobs causing carpal tunnel are telephone operators, cafeteria attendants (including food and coffee shop counter), and electrical or electronics assemblers. Also the association between  hair stylists & carpal tunnel is practically a bad joke within the hair styling industry.

The other jobs listed below (including the tasks these professionals are require to perform) have similar characteristics. All of these workers engage in rapid, forceful and repetitive hand or finger activities.