Here are the best-paying jobs for all 16 personality types

USA Today

2 days ago

Too few jobseekers, perhaps, stop to consider what field might best suit their personality.
If you happen to know your Myers-Briggs personality type, a new report from Resume Genius might have just the job for you.
Myers-Briggs offers four 'preference pairs' that reflect facets of human personality. To paraphrase the Myers-Briggs website, personalities are characterized by "extraversion" (E) or "introversion" (I), receiving information by "sensing" (S) or "intuition" (N), reaching conclusions by "thinking" (T) or "feeling" (F), and approaching the world through "judging" (J) or "perceiving" (P).
Combine any four preferences, and you get one of 16 distinct personality types: ESTJ, for example, or INFP.
The jobseeker website searched Labor Department data to find the highest-paying jobs for each personality type.
To identify appropriate fields, the site tapped survey results from the Personality Database forum, which asked people to vote on best jobs for each personality type. The analysis took the five top jobs for each personality category and sorted them by salary.
'As an introvert myself, I know that a successful workplace needs all types of personalities,' said Ed Huang, executive director of Resume Genius. 'Whether you're introverted or extroverted, the key is to find positions that match your strengths and allow you to contribute meaningfully.'
The best-paying jobs for each personality type
Here, then, are the highest-paying jobs for each Myers-Briggs personality type.
ISTJ: Surgeon. This job carries an annual median wage of $239,200. There were 834,500 surgeons nationwide as of 2023, and the field is expected to grow 4% by 2033.
The ISTJ personality type, sometimes termed "The Logistician," thrives 'on mastering your craft, no matter how many hours it takes,' the report says. And that's a good thing, because surgeons spend a lot of years in school.
INFJ: Psychiatrist. The typical psychiatrist earns $226,880 a year. Employment totals 28,600 nationwide, with strong 7% growth expected by 2033.
INFJs, known as "The Advocate," are "always exploring the 'why' behind everything,' the report says, ideal for psychiatry.
ESTJ: Airline Captain. The nation's 152,800 airline captains earn a median $198,100, and the field should grow 5% by 2033.
This personality type is known as "The Executive." As an ESTJ, "your sense of responsibility makes you a perfect fit' to pilot an airplane, the report says.
INTP: Physicist. The median salary is $166,290 for the nation's 152,800 physicists, and the field is expected to grow 5% by 2033. The "Logician" personality type is known for problem-solving and analytical thinking. For jobs in research and academia, you'll need a Ph.D.
ENFP: Advertising director. This job earns a median wage of $159,660. There are 411,300 ad directors in America, and the field can expect a robust 8% growth by 2033.
The ENFP is called "The Campaigner."
'If there's any role that lets you channel that energy and people-first perspective into storytelling, it's an advertising director,' the report says.
ENTJ: Prosecutor. This job brings a median wage of $151,160, and there are 859,000 prosecutors employed nationwide. The field will grow 5% by 2033.
Sometimes termed "The Commander," the ENTJ has a 'no-nonsense approach' that's a natural fit for this job, the report says.
ENFJ: Human Resources Manager. The nation's 208,900 human resources managers earn a median income of $140,030. Job growth is projected as 6% by 2033.
Termed "The Protagonist," ENFJs 'are natural connectors who flourish when they're helping others grow and succeed,' the report says.
ESTP: Sales Manager. There are 584,800 sales managers nationwide, with a median annual income of $138,060. Job growth is projected at 6% by 2033.
ESTPs, "The Entrepreneur," seek out 'life's fast-paced challenges, and the world of sales is full of them,' the report says.
ISFJ: Pharmacist. Median income is $137,480 for the nation's 337,700 pharmacists, and the field should grow 5% by 2033.
The ISFJ is termed "The Defender."
'Your presence always makes others feel safe and supported,' the report says, 'and as a pharmacist, your patients know they're in good hands.'
ISTP: Electrical engineer. The median annual wage is $118,780 in this field of 287,800 jobs, which is expected to grow a whopping 9% by 2033.
Known as "The Virtuoso," the ISTP personality type is 'all about problem-solving,' the report says.
INTJ: Data Scientist. The nation's 202,900 data scientists earn a median salary of $112,590, and the field is expected to grow a spectacular 36% by 2033.
"The Architect" is 'not the loudest person in the room,' the report says, 'but you don't need to be. As an INTJ, your work speaks for itself.'
INFP: Animator. Here's the first job on this list to dip below six figures in median salary, which is $99,800 for animators. The nation has 73,300 animators, and the field is projected to grow 4% by 2033.
INFPs are termed "The Mediator." But they are also 'dreamers,' the report says, 'with a talent for seeing magic in the everyday.'
ENTP: Forensic psychologist. There are 207,500 forensic psychologists in America, earning a median salary of $94,310. Job growth is a healthy 7% by 2033.
ENTP is "The Debater." ENTPs 'love diving into complex problems and uncovering the truth,' the report says, 'especially when others are stumped.'
ESFP: Model. Models, all 3,600 of them, earn a median salary of $89,990. Zero job growth is expected by 2033: Evidently, the nation has enough models.
The ESFP is "The Entertainer." Modeling "is a perfect outlet for your love of self-expression,' the report says.
ESFJ: Postsecondary Teacher. The nation's 1.4 million college and university educators earn a median salary of $83,980, and 8% job growth is expected by 2033.
ESFJ is "The Consul."
'You have a natural gift for connecting with others and creating a warm, supportive environment, which is exactly what makes a great post-secondary teacher,' the report says.
ISFP: Fashion Designer. There are 21,900 fashion designers in the United States, earning a median salary of $80,690. The job outlook is for 5% growth by 2033.
ISFPs are "Adventurers."
'While you might come off as quiet or reserved, your creativity runs deep, and fashion design is the perfect outlet to express it,' the report says.