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Jobs by IQ

 

jobs by iq by surprisinglives.net

IQ is a fascinating subject and one that is perhaps tested more than it should be for people’s own good. Specifically, jobs listed by average IQ is apparently a popular question for a lot of people.

ln 2015 I wrote an article on IQs with an extensive list of jobs by IQ. That post has continued to be one of Surprising Live’s top posts of all time. Additionally, I have written other well-recieved posts about whether genius is innate or learned and Multiple Intelligence Types by Howard Gardner.

Surprising Live’s readers seem to love this topic. So, keeping with the IQ trend I am updating the original list of jobs by IQ in a simplified, more reader-friendly format.

This list is quite long which in itself is quite impressive and I hope it answers your questions on this subject.

For reference here is the breakdown of how each IQ score is classified. I will list the jobs by IQ using the same classifications.

Lewis Terman (1916) developed the original notion of IQ and proposed this scale or classification for 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 – Below average intelligence
70 – 79 – Borderline deficiency
Under 70 – Deficiency

(Wilderdom.com)

Average IQ represented by the people working in surveyed occupations:

(Listed from highest to lowest IQ level.) 

 

IQ over 140 – Genius or near genius;

OccupationIQ
1. Surgeon161.1 +
2. Physician161.1
3. Corporate executive148.0
4. Psychiatrist147.7
5. Dentist140.0

 

IQ 120 – 140 – Very superior intelligence;

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

 

IQ 110 – 119 – Superior intelligence;

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

 

IQ 90 – 109 – Normal or average intelligence;

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

 

IQ 80 – 89 – Below average intelligence;

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

Stats courtesy of CareerCast.Com

IQ and brain illustration by surprisinglives.net

Although the above list is very interesting, keep in mind that many different skills and aptitudes go into finding success in your chosen career. Personality and even luck have been scientifically proven to be more relevant than your specific IQ number in ensuring your success or money-making ability.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. floridaborne

    Nice to know that I could be a dentist. Mostly, I’m a patient. 🙂

    I think it’s discrimination against chiropractors and the surgeons are overinflated. 😀

    Fun to see the different categories.

    Reply

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