Learn about typical career interests of the the INTJ personality type, potential career matches, and careers to avoid.
Reading time: 5 minutes
After a short summary of INTJ career interests, you’ll find 20 potential career fits for INTJs, along with several poor fits, identified by combining data about INTJ personality patterns with detailed occupational information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The chart below shows where INTJs tend to fall on the classic RIASEC career interest dimensions: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.
Your unique blend of these dimensions dramatically influences how well a career feels like a good fit.
The dark blue areas show where INTJs are most likely to fall on each dimension.
Most INTJs tend to have the following pattern of interests:
High Investigative interests (Thinkers): People with strong Investigative interests prefer roles that require observation, researching, and understanding ideas. They tend to prefer working with data and ideas rather than working closely with other people. Examples include medical researchers, chemists, software engineers, scientific reporters, and statisticians.
High Conventional interests (Organizers): People with strong Conventional interests excel in roles that require categorizing, planning, and systematizing information and processes. Examples include financial officers, budget analysts, office managers, database analysts, and systems administrators.
Average Realistic interests (Doers): People with high Realistic interests enjoy careers that allow them to work with their hands or tools to get a job done, rather than thinking or talking about it. They may also gravitate towards jobs with opportunities for working outdoors, competition, and risk-taking. Examples include police officers, military officers, professional athletes, farmers, builders, mechanics, forest rangers, and woodworkers.
Average Artistic interests (Creators): People with strong Artistic interests prefer jobs that require innovation through artistic and intuitive skills in less structured tasks and environments. Examples include artists, novelists, actors or actresses, musicians, curators, and designers.
Average Enterprising interests (Persuaders): People with strong Enterprising interests are often skilled communicators and enjoy influencing, persuading, and leading other people. They actively pursue leadership roles and opportunities to bolster their status and reputation. Examples include sales and marketing directors, politicians and political organizers, and executives.
Low Social interests (Helpers): People with strong Social interests fit well with careers that involve helping, comforting, caring for, and teaching other people. Examples include physical therapists, counselors, clergy, social workers, doctors, and nurses.
However, it’s possible to find INTJs at any point on any of these six dimensions. While most INTJs have relatively low Social interests, there are still a few INTJs who score very highly on them. This is one of the limitations to using MBTI personality types for career matching. Alternatively, you can find a more precise assessment of your unique combination of personality traits, strengths, career interests, and more here at TraitLab.
Most INTJs have deep Investigative interests, pulling them towards roles with heavy demands for thinking, analysis, and research.
Many INTJs also have intense Conventional interests, which fit well with roles demaning categorizing, systematizing, and organizing information.
Other INTJs have relatively strong Realistic interests, meaning they will gravitate towards roles with opportunities for building and creating directly with their hands or with tools.
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People who work in the following 20 occupations tend to have similar interests to most INTJs:
Also known as Air Pollution Control Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Consultant, Environmental Engineer, Environmental Remediation Specialist, Hazardous Substances Engineer, Sanitary Engineer
Environmental Engineers research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. They also work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Typical pay range: $55,450 - $144,670 (annual)
Learn more about Environmental Engineers ->
Also known as Technology Applications Engineer, Web Architect, Web Design Specialist, Web Designer, Web Developer, Webmaster
Web Developers develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. In addition, Web Developers
Typical pay range: $40,750 - $146,430 (annual)
Learn more about Web Developers ->
Also known as Advanced Analytics Associate, Analytical Strategist, Decision Analyst, Operations Research Analyst, Optimization Analyst
Operations Research Analysts formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. In addition, Operations Research Analysts
Typical pay range: $48,050 - $144,330 (annual)
Learn more about Operations Research Analysts ->
Also known as Design Engineer, Electronics Design Engineer, Evaluation Engineer, Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (IC Design Engineer), Product Engineer, Radio Frequency Engineer (RF Engineer), Research and Development Engineer (RD Engineer), Test Engineer
Electronics Design Engineers research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. They also design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.
Typical pay range: $69,210 - $167,410 (annual)
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Also known as Food and Drug Research Scientist, Food Chemist, Food Engineer, Food Scientist, Food Technologist, Formulator, Product Development Scientist, Research Chef, Research Food Technologist, Research Scientist
Food Scientists use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.
Typical pay range: $41,240 - $130,430 (annual)
Learn more about Food Scientists ->
Also known as Analyst Programmer, Application Programmer Analyst, Computer Programmer, Computer Programmer Analyst, Internet Programmer, Java Developer, Programmer, Programmer Analyst, Web Applications Programmer, Web Programmer
Computer Programmers create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. In addition, Computer Programmers
Typical pay range: $51,440 - $146,050 (annual)
Learn more about Computer Programmers ->
Also known as Continuous Improvement Engineer, Engineer, Facilities Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Operations Engineer, Plant Engineer, Process Engineer, Project Engineer, Quality Engineer, Research and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer)
Industrial Engineers design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
Typical pay range: $57,950 - $136,930 (annual)
Learn more about Industrial Engineers ->
Also known as Economic Analyst, Economic Consultant, Economic Development Specialist, Economist, Forensic Economist, Project Economist, Research Analyst, Research Associate, Revenue Research Analyst, Tax Economist
Economists conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. They also may collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
Typical pay range: $59,220 - $198,230 (annual)
Learn more about Economists ->
Also known as Materials Scientist, Micro Electrical/Mechanical Systems Device Scientist (MEMS Device Scientist), Polymer Materials Consultant, Research and Development Scientist (R and D Scientist), Research Scientist, Scientist
Materials Scientists research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. In addition, Materials Scientists
Typical pay range: $54,810 - $165,290 (annual)
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Also known as American Indian Policy Specialist, Applied Anthropologist, Applied Cultural Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Curator, Forensic Anthropologist, Research Anthropologist, Research Archaeologist
Anthropologists study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. In addition, Anthropologists
Typical pay range: $40,800 - $102,770 (annual)
Learn more about Anthropologists ->
Also known as Computer Scientist, Computer Specialist, Control System Computer Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientific Programmer Analyst
Computer Scientists conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. They also develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
Typical pay range: $72,210 - $194,430 (annual)
Learn more about Computer Scientists ->
Also known as Marine Architect, Marine Design Engineer, Marine Engineer, Marine Engineering Consultant, Marine Structural Designer, Marine Surveyor, Naval Architect, Naval Architect Specialist, Ships Equipment Engineer, Structural Engineer
Marine Engineers design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.
Typical pay range: $62,610 - $148,580 (annual)
Learn more about Marine Engineers ->
Also known as Engineering Geologist, Environmental Protection Geologist, Exploration Geologist, Geological Specialist, Geologist, Geophysicist, Geoscientist, Hydrogeologist, Mine Geologist, Project Geologist
Geologists study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. In addition, Geologists
Typical pay range: $51,890 - $201,150 (annual)
Learn more about Geologists ->
Also known as Extrusion Engineer, Materials Development Engineer, Materials Engineer, Materials Research Engineer, Metallurgical Engineer, Metallurgist, Research Engineer, Test Engineer
Materials Engineers evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. In addition, Materials Engineers
Typical pay range: $57,970 - $154,340 (annual)
Learn more about Materials Engineers ->
Also known as Biophysics Scientist, Health Physicist, Medical Physicist, Physicist, Research Consultant, Research Physicist, Research Scientist, Scientist
Physicists conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Typical pay range: $67,450 - $208,000+ (annual)
Learn more about Physicists ->
Also known as Design Engineer, Network Analyst, Network and Security Engineer, Network Consultant, Network Systems Consultant, Networking Systems and Distributed Systems Engineer, Solutions Architect, Telecommunications Analyst
Network Engineers design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. In addition, Network Engineers
Typical pay range: $67,190 - $175,570 (annual)
Learn more about Network Engineers ->
Also known as Environmental Analyst, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist, Environmental Programs Specialist, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Specialist, Hazardous Substances Scientist, Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), Research Environmental Scientist, Senior Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. They also using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Typical pay range: $42,960 - $129,450 (annual)
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Also known as Applications Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Computer Analyst, Computer Systems Analyst, Computer Systems Consultant, Information Systems Analyst (ISA), Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst), System Analyst, Systems Analyst
Computer Systems Analysts analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. In addition, Computer Systems Analysts
Typical pay range: $56,510 - $152,060 (annual)
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Also known as Biomedical Electronics Technician, Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Engineering Technician, Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET), Biomedical Technician, Engineer, Process Engineer, Research Engineer, Research Scientist
Biomedical Engineers apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.
Typical pay range: $56,590 - $149,440 (annual)
Learn more about Biomedical Engineers ->
Also known as Aerial Photogrammetrist, Cartographer, Cartographic Designer, Digital Cartographer, Mapper, Photogrammetric Technician, Photogrammetrist, Stereo Compiler, Stereoplotter Operator
Cartographers research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. In addition, Cartographers
Typical pay range: $42,980 - $108,890 (annual)
Learn more about Cartographers ->
Most INTJs would struggle to enjoy careers that consistently demand strong Social and Enterprising interests. These careers would involve heavy amounts of helping, nurturing, leading, and management.
A few examples include:
