The 23 Best Jobs for Introverts

Many introverts struggle in careers that demand lots of meetings, face-to-face interactions with clients and other social engagements that drain their energy.

Fortunately, there are many jobs that demand skills abundant in introverts, like analytic thinking and independence.

Find out what jobs are best for introverts. Plus how to succeed in the workplace with an introverted personality.

What Is an Introvert?

Introverts are people who focus inward, according to Carl Jung in his exploration of the category in the early 1900s. In his 1921 paper "Psychology Types," Jung wrote that introverts:

• Avoid large crowds
• Feel calm and comfortable during self-reflection
• Feel lonely in big groups of people
• Work best on their own

Introverts are the opposite of extroverts, who thrive among other people.

Being an introvert is not the same as being shy. Introverts are perfectly capable in social situations, but they feel stressed and exhausted if they stay in those environments for very long.

The 23 Best Jobs for Introverts

Introverts do well in jobs that rely on analytic thinking, creativity, empathy and independence.

Here are some jobs matching that description. Salary data for these jobs appears as reported by workers themselves on Glassdoor.

1. Accountant

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in accounting. Certification relevant to your specialty, like CPA, CFA or CFE.
• Average salary: $66,000, according to Glassdoor.

Accountants deal with numbers more often than they deal with people. Their duties, keeping and evaluating financial records, fit well with sharp analytical skills.

2. Actuary

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in actuarial science, math, statistics or a related field. Passing the required actuarial exams.
• Average salary: $176,000, according to Glassdoor.

Actuaries use statistics to predict the likelihood and financial cost of future events for insurance purposes. They rely heavily on analytic skills and get to focus on numbers instead of people.

3. Anesthesiologist

• Job requirements: A medical degree, anesthesiology residency and license to practice in your state.
• Average salary: $351,000, according to Glassdoor.

Anesthesiologists deliver and maintain drugs that keep patients asleep during surgery. They're usually in the background, doing important work without interacting much with patients.

4. Copywriter

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in English, marketing, communications or a related field.
• Average salary: $67,000, according to Glassdoor.

Copywriters create written material for marketing. They often work alone or in small teams and use their empathy and creativity to write impactful language.

5. Cybersecurity Specialist

• Job requirements: A cybersecurity certification such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP or similar.
• Average salary: $106,000, according to Glassdoor.

Cybersecurity specialists protect computer systems from intrusion. They usually work with computers and don't experience many face-to-face interactions with customers and other employees.

6. Data Analyst

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in computer science, math or statistics.
• Average salary: $78,000, according to Glassdoor.

Data analysts explore data to help businesses make decisions. They work independently and rely heavily on their analytic minds.

7. Data Scientist

• Job requirements: An advanced degree in data science, mathematics or a related field.
• Average salary: $144,000, according to Glassdoor.

Data scientists use advanced technologies and mathematical methods to parse Big Data—data sets too large and complex for data analysts. They work heavily with computers, creating machine learning models to draw insights from data.

8. Editor

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in English or a related field. Several years of writing experience.
• Average salary: $67,000, according to Glassdoor.

Editors flex their creative and analytic muscles at the same time, correcting fine details and shaping the bigger picture in pieces of writing. They may work closely with small teams of writers or other editors, but many work remotely.

9. Engineer

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in engineering and license in your field, if required.
• Average salary: $96,000, according to Glassdoor.

Engineers design structures and systems in many fields, including aerospace, construction and petroleum. They often communicate with clients through project managers, giving them lots of independence.

10. Financial Analyst

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in business, finance, economics or a related field. More advanced roles may require an MBA or other master's degree in business.
• Average salary: $77,000, according to Glassdoor.

Financial analysts use advanced mathematics to help businesses maximize their profits. They spend more time evaluating numbers than sitting in meetings with business managers.

11. Graphic Designer

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field. A portfolio showing your graphic design work.
• Average salary: $56,000, according to Glassdoor.

Graphic designers create visual elements for websites, marketing and anything else businesses need. Many graphics designers work as freelancers, letting them work very independently.

12. Librarian

• Job requirements: A master's degree in library science from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program.
• Average salary: $45,000, according to Glassdoor.

Librarians organize books, order new materials, create displays to show off library items and conduct administrative tasks for school, public and private libraries. They spend most of their time with books, though they periodically interact with patrons.

13. Mechanic

• Job requirements: Complete a trade program in automotive technology and an apprenticeship under a professional mechanic.
• Average salary: $54,000, according to Glassdoor.

Mechanics diagnose and fix cars and other pieces of equipment that fit their background and training. They spend more time under car hoods than interacting with customers.

14. Medical Lab Technician

• Job requirements: An associate degree or higher in a health field. Certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology or American Medical Technologists.
• Average salary: $63,000, according to Glassdoor.

Medical lab technicians analyze patient samples for illnesses. They contribute valuable work to the healthcare system but don't have to interact with patients.

15. Network Administrator

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in networking or computer science. Certification such as the CCNA or CompTIA Network+.
• Average salary: $77,000, according to Glassdoor.

Network administrators build, maintain and optimize enterprise networks. Even though many people use the networks they build, administrators rarely interact with anyone outside their immediate team.

16. Paralegal

• Job requirements: An associate or bachelor's degree in a law-related field.
• Average salary: $56,000, according to Glassdoor.

Paralegals help lawyers prepare legal documents. They do lots of research preparing for cases without having to argue in front of judges and juries.

17. Pilot

• Job requirements: A commercial pilot's license with ratings for the aircraft you will fly.
• Average salary: $113,000, according to Glassdoor.

Pilots fly commercial aircraft. If they work for freight companies like FedEx or UPS, they never have to carry passengers.

18. Research Scientist

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in your scientific field. More advanced positions require a master's degree or Ph.D.
• Average salary: $113,000, according to Glassdoor.

Research scientists design, conduct and evaluate experiments in their scientific field. They spend most of their time in laboratories.

19. Software Developer

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field.
• Average salary: $102,000, according to Glassdoor.

Software developers build and debug computer programs. They may meet with clients occasionally but spend most of their time writing code.

20. Truck Driver

• Job requirements: A commercial driver's license.
• Average salary: $67,000, according to Glassdoor.

Truck driving is a union job transporting goods all over the country. Drivers spend almost the entire day in truck cabins, without having to talk to anyone except other truckers on the radio.

21. Veterinarian

• Job requirements: A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and license to practice in your state.
• Average salary: $140,000, according to Glassdoor.

Vets provide health care for animals. They interact with pet owners, but only to discuss the pet's health.

22. Web Developer

• Job requirements: A bachelor's degree in computer science. Experience with popular web programming languages like JavaScript, CSS and HTML.
• Average salary: $82,000, according to Glassdoor.

Web developers build and maintain websites and apps. They occasionally interact with clients but spend most of their time writing and debugging code.

23. Welder

• Job requirements: A completed apprenticeship in welding.
• Average salary: $50,000, according to Glassdoor.

Welders join metal objects together with specialized training and tools. Their average day involves a pile of welding tasks for them to complete and little to no required interaction with others.

How to Find the Right Job as an Introvert

Some jobs are better than others for introverts but don't just look at job titles. You should also consider the work environment and your future coworkers.

Look for work environments that:

• Allow remote or hybrid work. Remote jobs give you more independence and let you avoid regular office social situations.
• Don't require much customer interaction. You want to avoid retail jobs or other roles where customer service is a major responsibility.
• Offer quiet and calm workspaces. You want to work somewhere free from distractions, including clutter and talkative coworkers.

When you interview for a job, ask your future manager:

• What is your management style? Introverts work well with hands-off managers, who know when to get out of the way and let employees work.
• What is your communication style? Introverts may prefer managers who communicate over email or company chat. These are low-pressure compared to face-to-face conversations, helping introverts feel comfortable.
• How do you manage team members with different personality types? Managers who talk about working with introverts—or are themselves introverted—are more likely to understand how to help you do your best work.

Introverts' Strengths in the Workplace

Introverts aren't always valued as highly as they should be in the workplace.

Researchers led by Dane Blevins, Associate Professor of Management at the University of Central Florida, analyzed past research on the strengths and weaknesses of introverts. In their paper, they note that traits associated with extroversion, like assertiveness, dominance and social prowess, are given more value in the workplace.

However, introverts also have traits useful in many careers. According to Blevins et al., introverts have excellent soft skills, including:

• Analytic thinking
• Creativity
• Independence
• Self-reflection

Introverts also do well leading proactive coworkers. Unlike extroverts, introverts know when to get out of the way and let team members work.

In the right job and setting, introverts can deliver excellent work and feel fulfilled in their careers.

To get ahead as an introvert in the workplace, find a field that fits your strengths. Then spend some time working on your weaknesses, like teamwork and networking.