• Home
  • Blog
    • Life
      • How 2 Navigate Life
      • Psychology
    • Photography
    • Quotes
      • Original Quotes
    • Guest Authors
    • Blog~Social~Content
  • Disclosure Re Site Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Inspiration | Insights | Perspectives

  • Home
  • Blog
    • Life
      • How 2 Navigate Life
      • Psychology
    • Photography
    • Quotes
      • Original Quotes
    • Guest Authors
    • Blog~Social~Content
  • Disclosure Re Site Links
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Psychology / IQ, IQ Tests, Jobs By IQ, How Does It Matter?

IQ, IQ Tests, Jobs By IQ, How Does It Matter?

surprisinglives.net/iq-jobs-does-it-matter/

IQ is a fascinating subject and one that is perhaps tested more than it should be for people’s own good. Nevertheless, the internet, as we all know, is a never-ending plethora of bullshit facts, well-researched articles and fascinating information to enhance our minds.

Since I’m a particular sucker for infographics and well-made lists the one below caught my eye.

It is very long which in itself is quite impressive. The subject is the average IQ of people who work in various occupations. Cool, I just couldn’t resist looking up the average IQ for all the jobs and careers that I had ever considered let alone worked.

Naturally, the list made an impression on me. So here it is in its entirety for all of you to scan. I’ll give you a few minutes and meet you at the bottom.

 

Average IQ represented by the people working in surveyed occupations: (Listed from highest to lowest IQ level.) 

OccupationIQ
1. Surgeon234.1 obviously an error
2. Physician161.1
3. Corporate executive148.0
4. Psychiatrist147.7
5. Dentist140.0
6. Orthodontist131.2
7. Podiatrist129.1
8. Judge127.9
9. Attorney127.8
10. Petroleum engineer126.1
11. Pharmacist126.1
12. Physicist124.9
13. Commercial airline pilot124.9
14. Astronomer124.5
15. Financial planner122.8
16. Nuclear engineer121.1
17. Optometrist120.7
18. Aerospace engineer120.2
19. Mathematician119.8
20. Public relations executive118.1
21. Economist116.9
22. Actuary116.9
23. Software engineer116.9
24. Meteorologist116.0
25. School principal116.0
26. Physician assistant115.6
27. Electrical engineer115.2
28. Web developer115.2
29. Construction foreman114.8
30. Geologist114.4
31. Veterinarian114.4
32. Computer systems analyst112.7
33. Mechanical engineer112.6
34. Civil engineer112.2
35. Industrial engineer111.8
36. Biologist111.4
37. Physical therapist111.4
38. Statistician111.0
39. Architect111.0
40. Computer programmer110.1
41. Occupational therapist109.7
42. Sociologist109.7
43. Chiropractor108.9
44. Chemist108.9
45. Stockbroker108.6
46. Dental hygienist108.4
47. Psychologist108.0
48. Speech pathologist107.6
49. Registered nurse107.2
50. Historian106.8
51. Technical writer106.8
52. Occupational safety/health inspector106.7
53. Audiologist106.7
54. Market research analyst106.4
55. Advertising account executive106.3
56. Fashion designer106.0
57. Philosopher105.9
58. Accountant105.5
59. Farmer105.1
60. Industrial designer104.7
61. Insurance underwriter104.7
62. Telephone installer and repairer104.6
63. Zoologist104.2
64. Communications equipment mechanic103.8
65. Loan officer103.4
66. Purchasing agent103.4
67. Engineering technician103.4
68. Medical technologist103.4
69. Author103.0
70. Undertaker103.0
71. Librarian103.0
72. Surveyor103.0
73. Railroad conductor103.0
74. Conservationist102.9
75. Anthropologist102.5
76. Vocational counselor102.5
77. Highway patrol officer102.5
78. Aircraft mechanic102.5
79. Respiratory therapist102.5
80. Dietitian102.1
81. Mail carrier102.1
82. Motion picture editor101.8
83. Sales representative101.8
84. Publication editor101.7
85. Archeologist101.7
86. Physiologist101.7
87. Stationary engineer101.7
88. Teacher101.7
89. Electrical equipment repairer101.7
90. Newscaster101.4
91. Tax examiner100.9
92. Buyer100.9
93. Police officer100.9
94. Actor100.8
95. Stenographer100.5
96. Museum curator100.5
97. Electrician100.0
98. Bricklayer100.0
99. Parole officer100.0
100. Paralegal assistant100.0
101. Tool-and-die maker100.0
102. Insurance agent99.7
103. Personnel recruiter99.6
104. Hotel manager99.6
105. Plumber99.6
106. Architectural drafter99.6
107. Firefighter99.2
108. Set designer99.2
109. Artist (fine art)98.8
110. Industrial machine repairer98.7
111. Advertising salesperson98.4
112. Clergy98.4
113. Sheet metal worker97.5
114. Heating and refrigeration mechanic97.5
115. Real estate agent97.1
116. Photojournalist97.1
117. Flight attendant97.1
118. Construction machinery operator97.1
119. Social worker97.1
120. Sewage plant operator97.1
121. Licensed practical nurse97.0
122. Stevedore96.6
123. Carpenter96.6
124. Corrections officer96.6
125. Choreographer96.3
126. Automobile body repairer96.2
127. Plasterer96.2
128. Office machine repairer96.2
129. Machinist96.2
130. Truck driver96.2
131. Carpet and tile installer95.8
132. Drywall Applicator and finisher95.8
133. Computer service technician95.8
134. Nuclear decontamination technician95.8
135. Glazier95.4
136. Sailor95.4
137. Medical laboratory technician95.4
138. Automobile mechanic95.0
139. Dental laboratory technician95.0
140. Welder94.9
141. Newspaper reporter94.6
142. Jeweler94.5
143. Meter reader94.5
144. Roofer94.5
145. Bus driver94.5
146. Appliance repairer94.5
147. Painter94.5
148. Agricultural scientist94.5
149. Ironworker94.5
150. Machine tool operator94.5
151. Broadcast technician94.2
152. Piano tuner94.1
153. Musical instrument repairer94.1
154. Compositor/typesetter94.1
155. Optician94.1
156. Bookkeeper94.1
157. Typist94.1
158. Electrical technician94.0
159. Garbage collector93.7
160. Roustabout93.7
161. Dairy farmer93.7
162. Lumberjack93.7
163. Bookbinder93.3
164. Telephone operator93.3
165. Medical records technician93.3
166. Travel agent93.3
167. Drill-press operator93.3
168. Photographer92.9
169. Emergency medical technician92.8
170. Vending machine repairer92.8
171. Furniture upholsterer92.8
172. Forklift operator92.8
173. Medical secretary92.8
174. Construction worker92.4
175. Butcher92.4
176. Disc jockey92.1
177. Precision assembler92.0
178. Shipping and receiving clerk92.0
179. Automobile assembler91.6
180. Dressmaker91.6
181. Photographic process worker91.2
182. Receptionist90.7
183. Barber90.3
184. Guard90.3
185. Nurse’s aid90.3
186. Bank teller90.3
187. Cosmetologist89.9
188. Teacher’s aide89.9
189. Shoemaker and repairer89.9
190. Recreation worker89.5
191. Janitor89.5
192. Chauffeur89.5
193. Taxi driver89.0
194. Retail salesman88.6
195. Childcare worker88.2
196. Maid88.2
197. Bartender87.8
198. Waiter87.8
199. Cashier87.7
200. Dishwasher87.7

Careercast: Jobs Rated Methodology 2011 Report.

surprisinglives.net/iq-iq-tests-jobs-by-iq/

Dolphins: known for their intelligence and I love them!

As a refresher and for interest sake here is the breakdown of how each IQ score is rated:

IQ Scores & Ratings

What is a good IQ score?  What is a high IQ score?  What is a low IQ score?  These are common questions, particularly after someone finds out their score from an IQ test.

Lewis Terman (1916) developed the original notion of IQ and proposed this scale for classifying IQ scores:

  • Over 140 – Genius or near genius
  • 120 – 140 – Very superior intelligence
  • 110 – 119 – Superior intelligence
  • 90 – 109 – Normal or average intelligence
  • 80 – 89 – Dullness
  • 70 – 79 – Borderline deficiency
  • Under 70 – Definite feeble-mindedness

(Wilderdom.com)

p.s. Everyone always wants to know:

  • Einstein is considered to have had an IQ of around 160.
  • Dr. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds is said to have an IQ of 187.  (wikipedia.com)
  • 115-124 IQ is considered above average! (If you went to University you are above average!)
  • 140-145 IQ is considered where Genius starts and includes 25% of the world’s population. (Good for us!)

Wilderdom.com

In all fairness, I must be honest and admit my slight prejudice against IQ testing and numbers. In particular, I object to the suggestion that IQ is a measurement of a person’s superiority, greater odds of having a successful life, and increased health or happiness.

My father was obsessed with IQ (mostly his own) and spent his entire life seeking recognition for having a high IQ, only keeping company with people of similar IQs and sneering at those who were at lower IQ levels. However, he was a miserable, unhealthy dysfunctional individual.

I have successfully managed to avoid any IQ testing my entire life and am proud not to be one of my late Father’s numbers.

Moving on. There are a few things that caught my eye on this list and prompt me to wonder about the accuracy of the list or perhaps the appropriate requirements for certain occupations:

  • Childcare Workers and Teacher’s aides are almost at the bottom of the list and fall under the “dullness” level of IQ scores! Pardon? These people are responsible for the safety and teaching of our children. Garbage collectors, plasterers, and forklift operators supposedly have higher IQs. This situation has to be wrong on so many levels.
  • If your occupation choice is to stay home with your children and be a homemaker you are considered “dull.” Almost all of the duties of a homemaker coincidentally fall at the low end of the IQ standard.
  • Surgeons have an average IQ of 234.1 and Physicians an average of 161.1. That’s a difference of 73 points! The difference itself represents a number that could equal one person’s IQ itself! I worked in Nursing to get myself through University and got to know a lot of dumb surgeons and brilliant physicians. To keep things polite I will limit myself to saying this has to be a typo.
  • I consider the occupations of Doctor and Corporate Executive as generally potential careers and, therefore, am surprised that they are in the Genius category. I must be very naive because I must say I presumed for some reason that people with Genius IQs would usually have extraordinary and unique occupations.
  • Understandably the vast majority of occupations have only very small deviations in IQ scores and are in the average or normal classification.
  • However…….
  • A Roustabout is listed under the average IQ range along with a lot of other occupations that require different education or training. However, according to Dic.ref.com, a Roustabout is an unskilled labourer who lives by odd jobs. Does this sound like it requires, at least, an average IQ?
  • The average level does need to be subdivided into a lot of smaller categories. Is it feasible that it takes approximately the same amount of intelligence to work as a:
  • Receptionist
  • Butcher
  • Telephone Operator
  • Typist
  • Painter
  • Bus Driver
  • Newspaper Reporter
  • Plasterer
  • Flight Attendant
  • Sheet Metal Worker
  • Insurance Agent
  • Bricklayer
  • Teacher
  • Mail Carrier
  • Anthropologist
  • Registered Nurse
  • Sociologist
  • Chiropractor
  • Veterinarian and…..
  • Psychologist!!!!!

I certainly don’t want my neighbourhood Butcher or Brick Layer doing surgery on my precious pets the same as a veterinarian who has gone through years of schooling. In turn, I don’t want a plasterer administering medical treatment to me like an RN, who again has received years of education.

I’ll let you know from personal experience that a Sheet Metal Worker (my husband started out in this position) is the worst candidate for the occupation of a psychologist or anyone who has to think about anything concerning people’s thinking and emotions.

Please don’t get me wrong, I have a great respect for skilled labours Also I admire those that dedicate themselves to occupations that require much more than my horrible lack of patience and attention span could ever offer.

It’s the basic concept of slotting people into cubby holes based on arbitrary numbers from tests made up by only certain people that I question. I hate focusing on only one element of a person and then naming them that thing. We, as people, are a million different combinations of things and that, in essence, is what makes us, us.

Thanks for sharing!

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Some other posts you may enjoy

By Amanda Ricks

Amanda is a Blogger, Writer, Counsellor, Social Resource and Digital Marketing Specialist.
She loves to write, blog, help others, and spend time with her incredible daughters and adored cats. Read More…

Previous Post: «surprisinglives.net/in-the-eyes/ In The Eye Of The Beholder
Next Post: Lunch With Seth Godin surprisinglives.net/lunch-with-seth-odin/»

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us! See Our Links Below…

surprisinglives.net/follow-me-gif/

Join Over 14,000 People Who Subscribe to This Blog.

Enter your email address to receive our new posts by email. We send full posts so there's no need to click over to the site to read them!

Recent Posts: Surprising Lives

Silent whispers in the fog

Friday Flowers

Friday Flowers

New Years Resolutions: It’s time to get on with living not failing

New Years Resolutions: It’s time to get on with living not failing

Today’s Top Posts

  • IQ, IQ Tests, Jobs By IQ, How Does It Matter?
    IQ, IQ Tests, Jobs By IQ, How Does It Matter?
  • An ocean reprieve from Nova Scotia
    An ocean reprieve from Nova Scotia
  • The worst (best) day?
    The worst (best) day?

Categories

Site Footer

Connect with Surprising Lives on social media

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • YouTube
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Meet Some Of Our Guest Authors
  • Would you like to be a Guest Blogger on Surprising Lives?
  • Recommended Resources And Tools
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer

Copyright © 2021 Surprising Lives · All Rights Reserved · Theme by Amanda Ricks on The Genisis Framework