The problem with "Tech Jobs" has nothing to do with tech itself and everything to do with culture. I work a tech job (in Australia though) and work strictly 9-5, I don't even look at emails or team chats outside of work hours.
As a result I have had none of the burnout issues which are rampant in the tech industry. Touching computers is not the problem.
It was me. I finally quit the 5 year cycle and took a long term...hopefully to retirement job...in state government doing tech. Realized I still loved tech and there are still a few jobs that you can work for the better good and get paid. I still believe in the internet of the 90's and that it can be a thing for good. I get to get up everyday and try to spend my fellow persons' tax payer money the best I can. Maybe on a good day actually do some good for less advantaged people.
Oh, I do believe tech itself is also a factor. From the physical conditions (sitting, screens - and the ridiculous office spaces) to the intellectual churn (constantly having to learn, and feign excitement about new technologies that, paradoxically, end up making everything buggier, more complex and often slower in real terms, despite vast improvements in the underlying platforms).
But yes, by and large it's the "culture", the ideology - and the rampant pettiness and toxicity throughout the people stack.
Anecdotally I left a high-pressure high-pay tech job in the US to come back to Australia and work a 9-to-5-except-for-oncall job. I ended up losing about 20kg and regaining a lot of lost productivity. This was ironic, because I was actively trying to be less productive, but cutting out the bullshit leaves you with nothing but actual work.
I think it is an American culture thing. In Europe I worked in tech for at least 20 years now. Take 15 public holidays and 20 to 30 paid vacation holidays, affordable health care and education and yes I make less money then my American counterparts. But I never had "that" kind of stress. There is always some stress...
It’s never a tech jobs or tech itself, it’s either the two: insufferable toxic peers/managers, or the culture as you said in ”work hard, party hard” except.. you never party hard and you are exploited to the core.
This might be why i've never understood the Burnout that seems to be rife in the Tech industry, is it USA centric?
As an Australian developer, I am fortunate to receive 25 days of annual leave along with 10 public holidays, and I make sure to use every single one of them.
Whether it's for international travel or exploring different parts of Australia, I prioritise spending time outdoors, camping, and hiking for a few days.
During these periods, I am disconnected from screens and the internet. In fact, even if I wanted to be online, there is no signal in the majority of national parks or campgrounds which is a great bonus..
Not the OP, but I've been in tech in Australia for over 20 years. When I was young and stupid I worked 80hr weeks, 24/7 on-call for a couple of years and it destroyed me. After that it has been 40hr weeks unless I feel like working longer.
As a result I have had none of the burnout issues which are rampant in the tech industry. Touching computers is not the problem.