HIGHEST IQ CAREERS

The most cognitively demanding professions, ranked by minimum IQ requirement. Discover which careers attract the brightest minds.

Updated: January 2025

Based on cognitive research

Careers Ranked

115

Highest IQ Req

101

Average IQ Req

Industries

Top 10 Highest IQ Careers

Industries by Average IQ

STEM

8 careers

111

Avg IQ

Business

9 careers

100

Avg IQ

Creative

4 careers

100

Avg IQ

Service

65 careers

100

Avg IQ

Complete Career Rankings

Rank	Career	Industry	Cognitive Load	Salary	IQ
1	Software Engineer	STEM	Medium	$77,000	115+
2	Data Scientist	STEM	Medium	$164,000	115+
3	Civil Engineer	STEM	Medium	$113,000	115+
4	Mechanical Engineer	STEM	Medium	$133,000	115+
5	Electrical Engineer	STEM	Medium	$176,000	115+
6	AI Engineer	STEM	Medium	$85,000	115+
7	Product Manager	Business	High	$70,000	100+
8	UX Designer	Creative	Medium	$104,000	100+
9	Digital Marketer	Service	Medium	$157,000	100+
10	Investment Banker	Service	Medium	$176,000	100+
11	Management Consultant	Service	Medium	$62,000	100+
12	Financial Analyst	Service	Medium	$188,000	100+
13	Accountant	Service	Medium	$98,000	100+
14	Actuary	Service	Medium	$58,000	100+
15	Surgeon	Service	Medium	$116,000	100+
16	General Practitioner	Service	Medium	$139,000	100+
17	Nurse	Service	Medium	$169,000	100+
18	Pharmacist	Service	Medium	$186,000	100+
19	Dentist	Service	Medium	$118,000	100+
20	Psychologist	Service	Medium	$186,000	100+
21	Architect	Service	Medium	$162,000	100+
22	Urban Planner	Service	Medium	$137,000	100+
23	Lawyer	Service	Medium	$114,000	100+
24	Paralegal	Service	Medium	$131,000	100+
25	Judge	Service	Medium	$83,000	100+
26	Police Officer	Service	Medium	$122,000	100+
27	Detective	Service	Medium	$62,000	100+
28	Teacher	Service	Medium	$130,000	100+
29	Professor	Service	Medium	$102,000	100+
30	Researcher	Service	Medium	$66,000	100+
31	Librarian	Service	Medium	$149,000	100+
32	Journalist	Service	Medium	$61,000	100+
33	Copywriter	Service	Medium	$77,000	100+
34	Editor	Service	Medium	$114,000	100+
35	Public Relations Specialist	Service	Medium	$56,000	100+
36	Sales Representative	Service	Medium	$185,000	100+
37	Real Estate Agent	Service	Medium	$133,000	100+
38	Recruiter	Service	Medium	$167,000	100+
39	HR Manager	Business	High	$60,000	100+
40	Chef	Service	Medium	$152,000	100+
41	Event Planner	Service	Medium	$141,000	100+
42	Hotel Manager	Business	High	$114,000	100+
43	Flight Attendant	Service	Medium	$165,000	100+
44	Pilot	Service	Medium	$153,000	100+
45	Electrician	Service	Medium	$83,000	100+
46	Plumber	Service	Medium	$145,000	100+
47	Carpenter	Service	Medium	$90,000	100+
48	Construction Manager	Business	High	$155,000	100+
49	Graphic Designer	Creative	Medium	$87,000	100+
50	Art Director	Service	Medium	$122,000	100+
51	Fashion Designer	Creative	Medium	$147,000	100+
52	Interior Designer	Creative	Medium	$56,000	100+
53	Musician	Service	Medium	$150,000	100+
54	Actor	Service	Medium	$178,000	100+
55	Photographer	Service	Medium	$105,000	100+
56	Videographer	Service	Medium	$149,000	100+
57	Entrepreneur	Service	Medium	$130,000	100+
58	CEO	Business	Medium	$144,000	100+
59	Operations Manager	Business	High	$56,000	100+
60	Executive Assistant	Business	Medium	$110,000	100+
61	Biologist	Service	Medium	$79,000	100+
62	Chemist	Service	Medium	$155,000	100+
63	Physicist	Service	Medium	$181,000	100+
64	Geologist	Service	Medium	$185,000	100+
65	Social Worker	Service	Medium	$180,000	100+
66	Counselor	Service	Medium	$162,000	100+
67	Non-profit Manager	Business	High	$172,000	100+
68	Veterinarian	Service	Medium	$144,000	100+
69	Zoologist	Service	Medium	$125,000	100+
70	Farmer	Service	Medium	$180,000	100+
71	Athlete	Service	Medium	$146,000	100+
72	Coach	Service	Medium	$68,000	100+
73	Personal Trainer	Service	Medium	$115,000	100+
74	Physical Therapist	Service	Medium	$68,000	100+
75	Software Developer	STEM	Medium	$190,000	100+
76	Systems Administrator	Service	Medium	$136,000	100+
77	Cybersecurity Analyst	Service	Medium	$187,000	100+
78	Blockchain Developer	STEM	Medium	$104,000	100+
79	Content Creator	Service	Medium	$138,000	100+
80	Influencer	Service	Medium	$158,000	100+
81	Social Media Manager	Business	High	$88,000	100+
82	Translator	Service	Medium	$103,000	100+
83	Diplomat	Service	Medium	$104,000	100+
84	Air Traffic Controller	Service	Medium	$147,000	100+
85	Firefighter	Service	Medium	$66,000	100+
86	EMT	Service	Medium	$67,000	100+

FIND YOUR COGNITIVE FIT

Discover your IQ and find careers that match your cognitive profile.

HIGHEST IQ CAREERS

Top 10 Highest IQ Careers

Software Engineer

Data Scientist

Civil Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Electrical Engineer

AI Engineer

Product Manager

UX Designer

Digital Marketer

Investment Banker

Industries by Average IQ

STEM

Business

Creative

Service

Complete Career Rankings

FIND YOUR COGNITIVE FIT

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