HIGHEST IQ CAREERS

Careers compared by LifeScore's editorial cognitive-demand benchmark. These values are neither measured occupational averages nor minimum requirements.

Updated: August 2026

Based on cognitive research

Careers Ranked

120

Highest Benchmark

102

Mean Benchmark

Industries

No career has a scientifically valid IQ cutoff. This index models relative learning and reasoning demands from the site's task ratings. Use it to compare roles, never to screen candidates or decide that someone cannot enter a profession.

Highest Cognitive-Demand Careers

Industries by Mean Benchmark

Finance

2 careers

115

Mean benchmark

Education

2 careers

113

Mean benchmark

STEM

9 careers

112

Mean benchmark

Business

9 careers

102

Mean benchmark

Creative

4 careers

100

Mean benchmark

Hospitality

1 careers

100

Mean benchmark

Service

58 careers

100

Mean benchmark

Skilled Trades

1 careers

100

Mean benchmark

Complete Career Rankings

Rank	Career	Industry	Cognitive Load	Benchmark
1	Actuary	Finance	High	120
2	Professor	Education	High	120
3	CEO	Business	High	120
4	Software Engineer	STEM	Medium	115
5	Data Scientist	STEM	Medium	115
6	Civil Engineer	STEM	Medium	115
7	Mechanical Engineer	STEM	High	115
8	Electrical Engineer	STEM	Medium	115
9	Chemist	STEM	High	115
10	AI Engineer	STEM	Medium	115
11	Accountant	Finance	High	110
12	Teacher	Education	High	105
13	Product Manager	Business	High	100
14	UX Designer	Creative	Medium	100
15	Digital Marketer	Service	Medium	100
16	Investment Banker	Service	Medium	100
17	Management Consultant	Service	Medium	100
18	Financial Analyst	Service	Medium	100
19	Surgeon	Service	Medium	100
20	General Practitioner	Service	Medium	100
21	Nurse	Service	Medium	100
22	Pharmacist	Service	Medium	100
23	Dentist	Service	Medium	100
24	Psychologist	Service	Medium	100
25	Architect	Service	Medium	100
26	Urban Planner	Service	Medium	100
27	Lawyer	Service	Medium	100
28	Paralegal	Service	Medium	100
29	Judge	Service	Medium	100
30	Police Officer	Service	Medium	100
31	Detective	Service	Medium	100
32	Researcher	Service	Medium	100
33	Librarian	Service	Medium	100
34	Journalist	Service	Medium	100
35	Copywriter	Service	Medium	100
36	Editor	Service	Medium	100
37	Public Relations Specialist	Service	Medium	100
38	Sales Representative	Service	Medium	100
39	Real Estate Agent	Service	Medium	100
40	Recruiter	Service	Medium	100
41	HR Manager	Business	High	100
42	Chef	Hospitality	High	100
43	Event Planner	Service	Medium	100
44	Hotel Manager	Business	High	100
45	Flight Attendant	Service	Medium	100
46	Pilot	Service	Medium	100
47	Electrician	Service	Medium	100
48	Plumber	Skilled Trades	Medium	100
49	Carpenter	Service	Medium	100
50	Construction Manager	Business	High	100
51	Graphic Designer	Creative	Medium	100
52	Art Director	Service	Medium	100
53	Fashion Designer	Creative	Medium	100
54	Interior Designer	Creative	Medium	100
55	Musician	Service	Medium	100
56	Actor	Service	Medium	100
57	Photographer	Service	Medium	100
58	Videographer	Service	Medium	100
59	Entrepreneur	Service	Medium	100
60	Operations Manager	Business	High	100
61	Executive Assistant	Business	Medium	100
62	Biologist	Service	Medium	100
63	Physicist	Service	Medium	100
64	Geologist	Service	Medium	100
65	Social Worker	Service	Medium	100
66	Counselor	Service	Medium	100
67	Non-profit Manager	Business	High	100
68	Veterinarian	Service	Medium	100
69	Zoologist	Service	Medium	100
70	Farmer	Service	Medium	100
71	Athlete	Service	Medium	100
72	Coach	Service	Medium	100
73	Personal Trainer	Service	Medium	100
74	Physical Therapist	Service	Medium	100
75	Software Developer	STEM	Medium	100
76	Systems Administrator	Service	Medium	100
77	Cybersecurity Analyst	Service	Medium	100
78	Blockchain Developer	STEM	Medium	100
79	Content Creator	Service	Medium	100
80	Influencer	Service	Medium	100
81	Social Media Manager	Business	High	100
82	Translator	Service	Medium	100
83	Diplomat	Service	Medium	100
84	Air Traffic Controller	Service	Medium	100
85	Firefighter	Service	Medium	100
86	EMT	Service	Medium	100

FIND YOUR COGNITIVE FIT

Use your reasoning profile alongside interests, skills, qualifications and values to explore career fit.

HIGHEST IQ CAREERS

Highest Cognitive-Demand Careers

Actuary

Professor

CEO

Software Engineer

Data Scientist

Civil Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Chemist

AI Engineer

Industries by Mean Benchmark

Finance

Education

STEM

Business

Creative

Hospitality

Service

Skilled Trades

Complete Career Rankings

FIND YOUR COGNITIVE FIT