The 8 Best Jobs for INFJ Personality Types

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Marisa Upson
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Marisa Upson has 10 years of professional writing experience, specializing in higher education trends, business, hospitality, and health and wellness. On BestColleges, she writes articles to help students make informed education and career decisions....
Updated on September 27, 2023
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Counselor | Human Resources Specialist | Writer | Training and Development Manager |
Graphic Designer | Community Outreach Specialist | Teacher | Nutritionist


INFJ stands for the following four attributes: introverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging. This personality type represents one of the rarest, making up less than 2% of the general population. Sometimes referred to as the counselor or advocate, these creative and sensitive people exhibit high moral standards and the ability to take action to stand up for their ideals.

The INFJ's idealistic and nurturing nature creates the desire to help others reach their full potential. Combined with their deep intuition, ability to listen, and compassion, these personality traits make INFJ individuals highly suitable for careers serving others and humanity at large. For this reason, many INFJ types work as counselors, advocates, and humanitarians.

The 8 Best Careers for INFJ Personality Types

Counselor

An INFJ listens well and responds with positive insight and compassion, making this one of the top personality types suited to work as a counselor. Counselors may work as marriage and family therapists or in a specific counseling field, like substance misuse or mental health.

Known for their ability to take action, an INFJ can both listen and help develop treatment goals and plans that facilitate positive changes in their clients' lives.

Learn more about the many career opportunities in this area by perusing our counseling career guide.

Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 25% job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors between 2019 and 2029, which is much faster than the average projected growth rate of 4% for all occupations. These counselors earn a median annual salary of $46,240.

Due to changes in the criminal justice system and the recognition that treatment can lead to reduced recidivism rates, an increasing number of states are turning to counseling instead of jail time. This change in policy corresponds to the positive job prospects for counselors in this field.

Educational Requirements

Aspiring counselors need a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or psychology to work as a marriage and family therapist. In addition to a master's, all states require licensure and 2,000-4,000 supervised internship hours of clinical experience.

Depending on the state, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors may be able to find work with just a bachelor's degree; however, these types of positions usually require supervision by a licensed professional. Counselors in private practice need a master's, supervised clinical experience, and licensure.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Human Resources Specialist

The INFJ's intrinsic drive to uplift individuals and their commitment to a fair and just world make them excellent human resources (HR) specialists. These professionals need empathy, strong communication skills, and an intuitive grasp of what other people are feeling — all traits found in an INFJ.

HR specialists recruit, interview, and hire employees. They may work as recruitment specialists for multiple companies or handle all of the HR duties for one employer. Specific tasks may include onboarding new hires, advocating for employees, and staying abreast of the latest employee regulations.

Learn more about the many career opportunities for HR specialists by reading this guide.

Job Outlook

The BLS projects 7% job growth for HR specialists between 2019 and 2029. These professionals earn a median annual salary of $61,920 — well above the median annual wage of $39,810 for all workers in the U.S. Some of the highest-paid specialists work in the professional, scientific, and technical services sectors, earning a median annual salary of $70,180.

Due to the increasingly complex nature of employment labor laws, the job outlook for HR specialists continues to appear favorable.

Educational Requirements

Obtaining a position as an HR specialist typically requires a bachelor's in human resources, business, or a related field. For those looking for advancement, earning a master's with a concentration in HR management or a relevant professional certification can boost career prospects.

The Society for Human Resource Management and the HR Certification Institute offer certifications for HR professionals.

Some HR positions may require work experience, which professionals can complete by working as an assistant or taking on an internship.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Writer

As highly creative and imaginative individuals, INFJs typically possess the attributes required to excel as writers. Their introverted nature and perfectionist tendencies enable them to spend time alone and create quality content.

Writers can work as content writers, bloggers, copywriters, novelists, and technical writers. Whichever career path an INFJ chooses, research typically plays an integral part in their daily tasks. Writers also need a strong command of their chosen language and a vast vocabulary.

Additionally, a technical writer's tasks include simplifying complex documents and preparing supporting materials, like instruction manuals and how-to guides.

Our writing career guide provides a comprehensive look at career opportunities for writers and advice on how to get started in this exciting profession.

Job Outlook

Pursuing a career as a technical writer offers one of the best job opportunities in this field. The BLS projects 7% job growth for technical writers between 2019 and 2029. They also earn one of the highest median annual salaries among writers, making $72,850 per year.

According to the BLS, writers and authors earn a median annual wage of $63,200. While this profession experiences strong competition, those with knowledge and experience in the digital arena can increase their employability. Novelists and nonfiction writers can also find additional avenues for publishing as self-publishing costs decline and the use of e-books increases.

Educational Requirements

Employers often require a writer to possess a bachelor's in English, journalism, or communication. Writers often benefit from gaining experience through on-the-job training, which may involve pursuing internship opportunities with magazines, writing for mass publications with a strong editing staff, or working as a researcher for experienced writers and editors.

Technical writers may need formal training or knowledge in a specific subject area, like engineering, medicine, or computer science. Some employers also look for candidates with professional credentials in their technical field.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Training and Development Manager

INFJs possess a strong desire to help people excel. If they become training and development managers, their training style often reflects this sincere interest in their staff, helping to create an environment of mutual respect and the drive to reach objectives. INFJs use these abilities to develop programs that enhance employees' skills and knowledge.

In addition to developing and implementing training programs, these managers may oversee staff training and create instruction manuals, videos, and digital platforms.

Job Outlook

The BLS projects 7% employment growth for training and development managers between 2019 and 2029. These professionals also boast an annual median salary of $113,350.

Due to continuing education requirements, professionals in this field can expect to see continued demand for their services. With the increase in remote work and digital advances, training and development managers with knowledge related to mobile learning platforms and social media can pursue promotions in the field.

Educational Requirements

Most positions require a bachelor's in business administration, human resources, or a related field. Some companies may require a master's degree with a concentration in training and development or human resources management master's.

Professional experience in training, teaching, or management increases a candidate's job prospects. As such, these professionals may start out as a training and development specialist. Some employers also look for applicants with experience in their particular industry.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Graphic Designer

A career as a graphic designer may appeal to an INFJ's creative and artistic nature. Their empathy, intuition, and ability to develop meaningful connections with others can help them create designs that align with a client's vision.

Graphic designers create digital images designed to inspire and draw the attention of consumers. These professionals create logos, brochures, and advertisements, transforming data into visual graphics. For those who work in graphic design firms, this collaborative position often requires communicating with marketers and writers.

Our graphic design career guide offers an in-depth look at career opportunities and the education required for various roles in this field.

Job Outlook

Graphic designers earn a median annual salary of $52,110, according to the BLS. While many designers work independently, others work for graphic design firms. Advertising, public relations, and specialized design services are the top fields for these professionals.

Due to the changing publishing industry, the BLS projects a significant decline in employment for graphic artists in this field. However, as companies continue to increase their digital presence, graphic artists could see an increase in demand in computer systems design.

Designers who stay current on the latest technologies, trends, and techniques may see better job prospects in this competitive industry.

Educational Requirements

Most graphic designer positions require a bachelor's in graphic design. Due to the artistic nature of this profession, some schools require applicants to submit examples of their artwork or complete art courses before formally entering a program. For those with a bachelor's in another field, additional technical training can provide preparation for careers in this field.

Programs offering an internship and the opportunity to develop a portfolio provide job candidates with a competitive advantage.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Community Outreach Specialist

A community outreach specialist benefits from many INFJ qualities, including empathy, intuition, and altruism. These professionals serve their communities by coordinating community outreach programs and assisting individuals in finding the social services they need to overcome challenging life experiences.

Tasks for a community outreach specialist may include assisting individuals with disabilities, finding support for the elderly, organizing at-risk youth activities, and helping people experiencing homelessness. For an INFJ dedicated to humanitarian causes, this career can be very rewarding.

Job Outlook

The BLS projects 12% job growth for those in the community and social service occupations between 2019 and 2029. While community and social service specialists earn a median annual salary of $43,790, wages vary dramatically depending upon the employer.

For example, community outreach specialists working for local governments make an average annual salary of $51,890, while those employed in individual and family services earn an average annual wage of $41,600.

Educational Requirements

Education and training requirements for community outreach specialists vary depending on a worker's employer and position. Most roles require a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as social work or public health.

While some employers hiring for entry-level positions may consider experience a suitable substitute for a postsecondary education, individuals seeking advancement opportunities should think about earning a bachelor's or master's. A bachelor's degree and work experience may provide sufficient education and training to qualify for promotions.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Teacher

Teachers can have an outsized impact on their students in terms of direction, self-esteem, and long-term goals and their ability to achieve them. An INFJ's desire to enrich someone else's life and develop meaningful connections makes them particularly well-suited for a career in teaching.

Teachers working directly with students in a classroom teach various skills and academic lessons designed for a specific age group. Others may opt for leadership, research, or administration roles that can impact school policies and learning opportunities.

Read this guide to learn more about the many career opportunities in education.

Job Outlook

While the job outlook for teachers varies somewhat depending on the grade level and specialization, the BLS projects 4% job growth for K-12 teachers between 2019 and 2029.

Annual salaries also vary based on the grade level. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers earn a median annual wage of $59,420, high school teachers earn $61,660, and postsecondary teachers earn $79,540.

Educational Requirements

K-12 teachers must have a bachelor's degree. State regulations vary, with some requiring a degree in their specific area of instruction, such as math or science, while others may require a bachelor's in elementary education. Some states require high school teachers to hold a master's. Additionally, public school teachers must complete an approved student teaching program, pass an exam, and obtain a license.

Postsecondary teaching positions require at least a master's for most community colleges and technical or career schools. Those wishing to pursue a career at the college and university level must earn a doctoral degree in their field.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Nutritionist

Because of their dedication to helping people create positive change, INFJs often find nutritionist careers rewarding. Nutritionists advise individuals on how to lead a healthier lifestyle. They may suggest dietary changes to promote healthy eating habits and give advice on creating a more balanced lifestyle.

Nutritionists may work in clinical settings like hospitals and private practices. They can also work for nonprofits and government agencies, where they counsel individuals and groups on health and nutrition.

Our careers in nutrition guide offers a comprehensive look at relevant career options, potential earnings, and common educational requirements.

Job Outlook

The BLS reports that dietitians and nutritionists earn a median annual salary of $61,270. Those working in outpatient care centers boast some of the highest annual earnings in the field, with a median annual wage of $68,000.

Due to the growing interest in functional foods and the use of diet to promote health and diminish disease, nutritionists are in demand. The BLS projects 8% job growth for these professionals between 2019 and 2029.

Educational Requirements

While requirements vary by state, most states require nutritionists to hold a bachelor's in food and nutrition or a related area. Additionally, nutritionists may need to complete several hundred hours of supervised practice, pass an exam, and obtain certification or licensure.

To meet these requirements, many nutritionists choose to earn the registered dietitian nutritionist credential. This credential requires a bachelor's degree, 1,200 hours of supervised experience, and passing a national examination.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Additional INFJ Career Options

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    Librarian
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    Environmental Attorney
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    Social Scientist
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    Physical Therapist
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    Software Developer
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    Musician
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    Family Physician
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    Medical Researcher
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    Clinical Psychologist
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    Environmental Scientist
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    Office Manager
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    Journalist
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    Interior Designer
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    Speech Pathologist
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    Physician Assistant

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BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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