The 8 Best Jobs for INTJ Personality Types
Writer
Writer
www.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.
Turn Your Dreams Into Reality
Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.
Mechanical Engineer | Civil Engineer | Detective/Criminal Investigator | Architect | Chemist | Microbiologist | Market Research Analyst | Entrepreneur
Representing just 2% of the total population, INTJ personality types are society's idea generators. They possess the unique ability to see the big picture when others can't and have a strong desire to improve the world. They're also determined, deeply motivated by inspiration, highly organized, and inclined to think logically.
INTJ types draw their energy from within rather than feeding off the energy of others, making them lean more toward introversion and independence.
As for careers, these individuals often feel more comfortable in environments in which they can work alone or with only a few people. Many INTJ types seek challenging occupations that allow them to bring their ideas to life. They often look for jobs in which they can put their analytical skills to the test, solve complex problems, and formulate ideas and solutions.
The 8 Best Careers for INTJ Personality Types
Mechanical engineers need to be great problem-solvers, making this an excellent career choice for INTJ personality types. These professionals design, build, and test all sorts of mechanical devices and machines, such as car engines, wind turbines, medical devices, satellites, elevators, printers, generators, robots, and heating systems.
Mechanical engineering is a very broad field of engineering. These specialists work in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, biomedical, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and energy.
Job Outlook
The BLS projects that mechanical engineering jobs will grow 4% through 2029, adding about 12,400 new jobs to the economy. In 2019, mechanical engineers made a median annual salary of $88,430, with 10% earning over $138,020.
The continual demand for new products, society's growing reliance on green technology, and advancements in fields like robotics, nanotechnology, and biotechnology are all expected to contribute to mechanical engineering's growth in the coming years.
Educational Requirements
A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field is normally required to find work as a mechanical engineer. A master's degree in mechanical engineering may be required for senior-level positions.
Some mechanical engineering jobs require a state engineering license. To become a licensed professional engineer, you must do the following:
- Earn a four-year engineering degree from an accredited program
- Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam
- Gain around four years of engineering experience under a professional engineer
- Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam
Another great career choice for INTJ types is civil engineering. These engineers design, build, and maintain the roadways, airports, bridges, tunnels, dams, utility networks, drainage systems, and other structures and systems that help move us and our products from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible.
These professionals must be able to solve complex problems and design unique solutions. Projects must be completed on time and on budget while adhering to strict quality standards. Popular civil engineering specializations include structural engineering, construction engineering, environmental engineering, transport engineering, and geotechnical engineering.
Job Outlook
Employment of civil engineers is projected to grow slowly and steadily at around 2% between 2019 and 2029, translating to an increase of around 5,500 jobs. The median annual income for civil engineers is $87,060, with 1 in 10 earning more than $144,560.
Although growth in the civil engineering field often depends on securing government contracts, there will always be a need for these types of engineers. Continued population growth, an aging infrastructure, and a larger number of renewable energy projects are all expected to contribute to this job's employment growth. Even during the Great Depression, public works jobs requiring civil engineers helped keep the country afloat.
Educational Requirements
A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field is generally required to land a job as a civil engineer. Some civil engineering jobs may require a state engineering license as well. To become a licensed professional engineer, you must do the following:
- Earn a four-year degree in engineering from an accredited program
- Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam
- Complete about four years of progressive engineering experience under a professional engineer
- Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam
If you're looking for an exciting career that'll really put your INTJ problem-solving abilities to the test, consider becoming a detective or criminal investigator. Detectives play a critical role in keeping our communities safe, making the career highly rewarding.
Although job duties can vary, the work of detectives generally involves conducting detailed investigations of reported crimes against people and property. These crimes may involve narcotics, robberies, assault, and other serious felonies. Most detectives in larger precincts specialize in the investigation of one type of crime, such as homicide.
Job Outlook
Jobs for police officers and detectives are projected to grow 5% through 2029, translating to a gain of nearly 41,000 jobs. Detectives and criminal investigators make a median salary of $83,170, with the highest 10% earning around $139,000 a year.
Educational Requirements
Previous law enforcement experience -- usually as a police officer -- is normally required in order to get a job as a detective. Additionally, an associate degree or higher in a field such as criminal justice, criminology, forensic science, crime scene technology, criminalistics, or psychology is often preferred over a high school diploma.
Most job candidates or recruits need to graduate from their agency's training academy before completing a designated period of on-the-job training. A master's degree may be preferred for individuals seeking management or leadership positions in government agencies.
As visionaries and experienced problem-solvers, architects help with the development of entire residential and commercial building projects by securing bids and negotiating contracts.
In addition to designing buildings for aesthetics and visiting building sites, architects must ensure their work complies with safety ordinances, like building codes, zoning regulations, and fire regulations. They must also check that the building is functional and uses the right electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems.
Job Outlook
Employment of architects is projected to grow just 1% -- about 3% slower than the average for all jobs -- between 2019 and 2029. Architects make a median annual salary of $80,750, with 1 in 10 bringing in more than $137,620 each year.
Educational Requirements
Most architect jobs require a bachelor's degree from an accredited architecture program. Advanced positions may require a master of architecture. All states require a license to practice architecture, but exact requirements vary depending on the state.
Chemists study and analyze the composition of materials at the atomic and molecular levels in order to determine how substances interact with one another. Typical duties include developing formulations in a lab, conducting experiments, testing materials, performing research, and writing technical reports.
Chemists work in many industries, including oil and gas, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medical device manufacturing, environment, education, chemical manufacturing, food production, aerospace, healthcare, and automotive.
Job Outlook
According to the BLS, jobs for chemists are projected to grow 5% through 2029, representing an increase of 4,300 new jobs. This growth will likely be fueled by pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing needs, leading chemists with laboratory experience to have the best employment prospects.
Currently, chemists make a median income of $77,630. The highest 10% of this group earn over $133,690 per year.
Educational Requirements
A bachelor's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field is typically required to become a chemist. Leadership roles and upper-level positions involving research generally require a graduate degree.
Microbiologists study microscopic organisms, or microbes, such as bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses. By having a better understanding of how microbes function, microbiologists not only learn how to treat and prevent diseases, but also contribute essential knowledge to help us live better, healthier lives.
A microbiologist's duties vary, but daily tasks often include planning and conducting research, performing experiments, preparing scientific and technical reports, supervising technicians, presenting research findings, and publishing papers.
Job Outlook
The BLS projects that microbiologist jobs will grow 3% between 2019 and 2029. This growth will come from continued research on new medications and treatments, enhancements in food production, and society's increasing reliance on clean energy. The median annual income for microbiologists is $75,650, with the top 10% earning over $133,280.
Educational Requirements
A bachelor's degree in microbiology, biochemistry, or a closely related scientific field is typically required to secure an entry-level position as a microbiologist. A master's degree or higher is often needed for advanced research positions.
The primary role of a market research analyst is to help businesses gain a better understanding of their customers through data analysis and behavioral research. These professionals help companies understand what products people want and provide insight into how consumers view and use products.
Market research analysts serve as the link between the consumer and the product by answering the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the product purchase cycle. Their work helps businesses determine which products to introduce and how, which products to improve, and which products to phase out.
Job Outlook
Market research is an in-demand field, with job growth for analysts projected at 18% between 2019 and 2029 -- that's an increase of approximately 130,300 jobs. The increasing reliance on data to analyze and predict consumer behavior will likely contribute to this growth.
The median salary for market research analysts is $63,790, with the highest 10% earning more than $122,630 a year.
Educational Requirements
A bachelor's degree in statistics, math, marketing, business administration, psychology, or a related area is generally required to land a job as a market research analyst. Some advanced positions may require a master's degree. Though not required, certification can lead to better job opportunities.
Anyone can be an entrepreneur, but it takes a certain kind of person to really succeed at it, and INTJs are a natural fit for entrepreneurship. These business professionals are problem-solvers and focus on the big picture — just like INTJs.
Entrepreneurs are innovators, bringing goods and services to market and keeping our economy growing during both good and bad times. Most entrepreneurs start businesses with high growth potential in the hopes of expanding their business or selling it at a substantial profit.
Job Outlook
Entrepreneurs can thrive in both good and bad economies, and there will always be a need for new, innovative ideas. The 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor United States Report estimates that around 14% of U.S. adults are engaging in early-stage entrepreneurial pursuits. However, increasing regulations in e-commerce could impact growth in entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurs' salaries vary depending on the industry in which they work and how successful their product or business venture is. According to the job site Indeed, entrepreneurs make an average base salary of $61,000.
Educational Requirements
While a degree isn't required to become an entrepreneur or start a business, many colleges and universities offer advanced courses and degrees in entrepreneurship through their business schools. In these programs, students learn -- generally from real entrepreneurs who've actually been through the process -- what it takes to launch a new initiative in real-world scenarios. Knowing what to do and what not to do could mean the difference between success and failure.
Feature Image: The Good Brigade / DigitalVision / Getty Images
