While it's true that everyone can succeed in any role, including introverts, their personality type notwithstanding, research shows that working in a job that aligns with your personality helps you maximize your abilities and enjoy higher job satisfaction. For instance, an introvert might be more satisfied working in a solitary and quieter work environment, while an extrovert might prefer a job with more social interaction.
Unfortunately, many of today's work environments are more geared toward extroverts and social butterflies.
Despite myths, introverts will be able to do the same jobs as those with extroverted personalities. However, their mental health may be at risk as they might feel drained most of the time. Not to fret, though, as there are plenty of jobs and careers for introverts out there to make them thrive and enjoy their work life.
This article discusses what an introvert should look for in a job and some of the best jobs for introverts to consider.
Recommended Reading: 7 Tips And Tricks for Introverts to Ace Their Next Interview
What are the Characteristics of Good Jobs for Introverts?
Being introverted or extroverted has to do with where you draw your energy. Introverts gather their energy from "me time" and feel mentally drained after extended social interactions.
Conversely, extroverts seek out social interactions and have a more outgoing personality.
This doesn't mean that introverts are shy people or that they avoid social interactions. Unlike extroverted people, it means they prefer to spend more time alone and like individual activities.
Introverts can also enjoy participating in social activities, such as working in a group, but it's common that after a group project, they'll be mentally exhausted and need to be alone to recharge.
Bearing that in mind, the best jobs for introverts are those that:
- Offer quiet spaces for individual working as opposed to noisy, open workspaces
- Allows them to work independently rather than in large group collaborations
- May offer work-from-home opportunities
- Require excellent observation and listening skills
- Don't need too much human interaction
- Includes one-on-one interactions with clients and colleagues rather than public speaking
What Are the Best Jobs for Introverts?
The best jobs for introverts are those that allow them to work independently and at their own pace. Careers that require less human interaction, such as a remote job, would be preferable, too.
Here is our list of career paths for introverts that you can consider. Note that the requirements listed below are for entry-level jobs. The median salary is the current average salary from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These figures will change over time and from one company to another.
In terms of the educational requirements, these are what are considered the "standard" minimum requirements. Depending on the job, experience and/or self-guided training may be considered acceptable equivalents for a formal degree.
Before we get to our list of jobs that are good options for someone with an introverted personality, it is important to remember that the ultimate "perfect job" is one in a field that suits your interests. John Holland developed a career assessment that will help you further explore how your interests and personality work together for better job satisfaction.
Paralegal
Average salary: $ 59,200
Requirements: Associate's degree
Paralegals assist lawyers with various tasks, including filing legal documents, handling client interviews, completing case research, and preparing presentations, among other things. This is an excellent career for introverts and requires having a passion for the legal system and laws. While there are client and colleague interactions during trials, hearings, and depositions, an introvert can do most of the paralegal stuff from the comfort of your office.
Paralegal is a great career for:
- Someone with solid writing and legal research skills
- Excellent multitasker, or more specifically, someone with great organizational skills
- Introverts who are knowledgeable in the law and legal system.
Technical Writing
Median salary: $ 79,960
Requirements: Formal companies may require a bachelor's degree, but there are many freelance opportunities where experience and technical know how in a related field may be acceptable.
If you're a creative introvert who enjoys expressing themselves through writing and can break complex information into straightforward, easy-to-understand concepts, then technical writing would be a great career for you. Technical writers have various jobs, including creative writing, copywriting, preparing user-friendly instruction manuals, and writing how-to guides.
The best part of being a technical writer is that this can be a completely remote job you can do in the comfort of your home with minimal human interaction.
Software Engineer
Median salary: $124,200 per year
Requirements: Bachelor's degree
A software engineer or software developer is responsible for designing, creating, testing, and continually improving the effectiveness and efficiency of computer software programs and apps. This role offers full-time and self-employment opportunities, making it one of the best jobs for introverts. You also get a chance to work for various industries and companies.
So, if you have a degree in software engineering or computer science, or any other STEM program like engineering, science, or math, and you're interested in technical stuff, then this might be the perfect career path for you.
Graphic Designer
Median salary: $ 57,990 per year
Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Another job where social interaction is kept to a minimum is graphic design. A graphic designer uses computer software to design or create custom visuals that can be used for commercial or promotional needs.
The work graphic designers do largely depends on the client, but the general graphic designer job descriptions include:
- Creating company logos
- Creating graphic overlays for social media posts
- Designing visual assets for use in a marketing campaign
- Editing photos for digital signage
Social Media Manager
Median salary: $56,770 per year
Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Social media managers or social media specialists run their client's social media accounts, helping to build their brand's reputation. They communicate with followers through different social media platforms that allow sharing of content online. These platforms include Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, and TikTok.
A social media manager is responsible for:
- Posting content in the form of text, videos, or images to stir up interest in topics related to the brand.
- Plan, develop, and execute social media marketing campaigns.
- Monitor and evaluate the performance of different social activities
- Interacting with followers by responding to their comments and feedback
- Ensuring all the social content and comments adhere to brand guidelines and best practices.
The best part of working as a social media manager is that it can be remote, so you don't have to deal with many people face-to-face. For introverts, this is a win-win because the role allows for building connections with others in a manner that is less overwhelming.
Accountant
Median salary: $78,000 per year
Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Being an accountant is one job that doesn't necessarily require you to have a bubbly personality, making it one of the best jobs for introverts. You, however, need to be good with numbers, efficient, organized, and possess a certified public accountant license.
Accountants either work with individuals to help check financial records and file taxes or with companies to tackle finance-related tasks. With the ever-changing tax laws and the development of global commerce, individuals and companies will always need qualified accountants.
An accountant job is best suited for:
- Detail oriented introverts
- People who have experience in finance
- Those who are good with numbers
Digital Marketing Manager
Median salary: $138,730 per year
Requirements: Bachelor's degree and working experience in a related field
Digital marketing is a good job for introverts with work-from-home capability. As a digital marketing manager, you'll be responsible for:
- Developing marketing campaigns to promote a service or company
- Advertising your brand in the digital space
- Directing traffic to your online business
- Overseeing social media initiatives
If you have problem-solving skills and enjoy promoting products and services, then digital marketing could be a possible career path for you.
Web Developer
Median salary: $80,730 per year
Requirements: High school diploma or bachelor's degree
Being a web developer allows you to work independently and have your alone time, making it one of the best jobs for introverts. Web development entails creating and maintaining websites. These digital designers develop, code, create, and test a website's functionality, interface layout, and navigation to determine its usability.
Most web developers are self-employed, while others work in different industries, including advertising, publishing, and management consulting.
Data Analyst
Median salary: $103,500 per year
Requirements: Bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctoral degree
Data analysis involves mining and organizing data, developing databases, programming, and fixing code and other data-related problems, among other things. The information obtained from analyzing data helps companies make better-informed and impactful decisions.
Data analysts work in different industries, including medicine, finance, business, government, and criminal justice. This job is perfect for introverts who are:
- Talented coders
- Have statistical expertise
- Have a computer science and business background
Landscape Architect
Median salary: $73,210 per year
Requirements: Bachelor's degree, state license
Landscape architects develop landscaping plans for outdoor spaces such as parks, gardens, and recreational areas. They consider things like climate, natural features, topography, and human needs to develop functional, environmental, and aesthetic spaces.
Most of the design work is done at the office with little social interaction, although you'll spend some time at job sites or attending to clients.
Content Manager
Median salary: $78,429 a year
Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Content managers oversee a website's content. Their primary duties include preparing content strategies for different formats, images, videos, written communication, and search engine optimization. They work with web designers, content writers, and other creative professionals to ensure the website has fresh and informative content all the time. Content management doesn't require you to go to the office or have physical social interaction, making it one of the best jobs for introverts.
Apart from a college degree, a content manager also requires specific skills, including marketing, leadership, and both in-person and digital communication. It would be best if you were also experienced in SEO writing and blogging.
Truck Driver
Median salary: $49,920 per year
Requirements: High school diploma, commercial driver's license
Truck driving can be an excellent career for introverts who are okay with always being on the road. Truck drivers transport stuff from one place to another. As an introvert who is a truck driver, you'll enjoy peace and quiet as you drive across the country; just be ready to be away for days or even weeks if you are a cross-country trucker.
Editor
Median salary: $73,080 per year
Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Editors are responsible for reviewing and editing written content, making it publication-ready. They analyze content for quality, clarity, grammar, and consistency. Editors work for different industries, including magazines, publication companies, and other businesses that use content as their strategy.
If you're one of those detail-oriented introverts with grammatical expertise and strong writing skills, then an editing job can be an excellent career for you.
Video Editor
Median salary: $62,420 per year
Requirements: Bachelor's degree
If you enjoy putting together different video clips, excellent graphics, and cool sound effects, then video editing could be your next career. This job is mostly remote and doesn't require much human interaction, making it a perfect fit for introverts. Video editors are responsible for cutting, editing, and producing videos from clips provided by their clients or videographers. The videos can be daily short-form content for various social media platforms or long-form series type of content. They can also add music, graphics, sound bites, special effects, and sound effects to make the content more engaging.
Video editing requires strong editing skills, creativity, and attention to detail. You can work as a freelancer and offer your services to multiple clients or find full-time employment at one of the digital agencies.
Librarian
Median salary: $61,660 per year
Requirements: Bachelor's or master's degree
A study done on 1,600 librarians to determine their MBTI personality type found that 63 percent of librarians are introverts. Even though being a librarian requires you to interact more with readers to understand and fulfill their specific needs, some sections of the library only require a little social interaction, including cataloging, books and journals acquisition, systems, and tech. Besides, libraries are generally quiet places, so you will only be making a little small talk even with the many interactions.
Not All Introverts Are the Same: Find the Job that's Right for You!
Introverts and extroverts display distinct human behavior, but all these occur on a spectrum. Pure extroversion or introversion is rare, and not all introverts fit the same mold.
Many introverts are outgoing and enjoy having a good time with others. At the same time, some extroverts can be shy and prefer alone time. If this sounds like you, you may also want to consider a job that will take advantage of your ambivert traits.
Because success at a job is also based on skills and personal interests, both introverts and extroverts have the potential to do most jobs.
However, some jobs will draw a lot of energy from introverts, leaving them mentally exhausted and possibly depressed. Burnout risk increases when people do not work in professions that suit their personalities.
To take care of your mental health and ensure you enjoy your work, it pays to look for specific jobs for introverts, as discussed above. Whether you're among the creative introverts, detail-oriented introverts, or critical-thinking introverts, there is something for everyone.
So, go ahead and choose something that aligns with your personality, interests, and skills.
