There are millions of jobs out there, but not all of them will be a good fit for you. Many job postings call for lively, social, and interactive applicants. But what jobs are available for people who love having their own space and prefer limited social interaction with customers and colleagues? This article outlines some of the best jobs for introverts.
Some companies, such as tech and financial businesses, specifically seek out these traits in their employees. Below, we’ll get into the highest-paying jobs for introverts and how you can excel in them.
What Is an Introvert?
An introvert is a shy person, who is reserved, prefers being alone or in small groups, and is easily exhausted when interacting with people on a regular basis. Those with introverted Myers-Briggs personality types, such as INTPs and INTJs, are happiest in peaceful environments rather than bustling social gatherings. INTJ and INTP jobs are those that don’t require a lot of active collaboration with others, though they might require some.
If you’re an introvert, seeking a job in line with your personality traits is important if you want to be satisfied with your career. According to Forbes, the global COVID-19 pandemic has heralded a new era of introverts who enjoy working remotely and independently rather than on-site with a team.
What Jobs Are Available to Introverts?
There are many jobs well-suited to introverts in a wide range of industries. Companies that hire introverts are usually looking for personnel who can handle their jobs without much supervision. Time management skills are also an important prerequisite as remote work opportunities increase. Below are some types of companies that hire introverts.
Companies That Hire Introverts
- Tech companies: Tech companies have many roles that are a good fit for an introverted person, such as a software engineer. Working at a tech firm often involves a lot of critical thinking and long hours spent indoors, which is perfect for an introvert. If you’re interested in this option, you may want to join a coding bootcamp or register for an online certificate program.
- Mental health/counseling clinics: Any job related to one-on-one interaction is a good career option for an introverted person. If you are interested in offering mental health support to people who are struggling, then this is the job for you. It can be a very fulfilling career for introverts, as it focuses on creating a quiet space where patients can comfortably express themselves.
- Accounting firms: If you enjoy analyzing numbers and balancing books, you might want to work in finance. For this job, you need to be detail-oriented and very focused. Working as an auditor is suitable for social introverts because they will spend a lot of time alone reviewing financial books to ensure accuracy.
- Publishing houses: A publishing firm is a good place to work if you have an introverted personality type. You can work as an editor, a proofreader, or in the printing department. Every role in a publishing house requires concentration and communication skills.
- Content creation: As an introvert, you might be interested in working as a content writer, blogger, or social media manager. The market for creative content is large, as lots of people make a living via social media. According to Statista, two million people earned a living as content creators in 2020, and an additional 30 million earn some of their income that way.
10 Highest-Paying Jobs for Introverts
| Job Title | Average Salary | Top 10% Salary |
| Software Engineer | $99,729 | $154,500 |
| Veterinarian | $96,624 | $150,000 |
| IT Manager | $87,289 | $138,000 |
| Research Scientist | $81,838 | $131,500 |
| Executive Chef | $63,772 | $95,000 |
| Content Manager | $63,314 | $113,000 |
| Editor | $57,756 | $95,000 |
| Account Manager | $51,057 | $120,000 |
| Graphic Designer | $48,283 | $81,000 |
| Behavioral Therapist | $40,587 | $63,500 |
Introverts should be careful when choosing a career path, focusing on a job that will be comfortable for them, with plenty of alone time and less emphasis on social skills. Below, we’ll get into some details of the highest-paying careers for introverts.
Software Engineer
Software engineering is a great fit for introverts because professionals in these roles often work alone and only occasionally need to communicate with their team. They write code, identify, test, and fix computer software programs. Many software engineers are even allowed to work remotely. A career in tech will often yield a high average salary.
Veterinarian
A veterinarian is an amazing career choice for anyone who prefers working with furry creatures over talking to humans. Vets diagnose and treat a variety of animal illnesses, help with animal births, and provide vaccinations. You can work making house calls to treat sick animals or in a vet clinic. To become a vet, you need patience, compassion, and the ability to connect with animals.
IT Manager
IT is a popular job for introverts because much of the work is done solo. An IT manager provides technical support for a company, dealing with hardware and software installation, upgrades and maintenance, and making sure systems are secure. To get this job, you need to have a strong background in IT. If you want to learn new skills, you can attend a top data science bootcamp.
Research Scientist
A research scientist performs laboratory-controlled tests and experiments, gathers results, and analyzes data to determine outcomes. In this role, you might work for an educational institution, research institute, or for the government or an environmental organization. This job is a good fit for introverts because you can do a lot of the work alone and some scientists even freelance.
Executive Chef
Chefs have a very creative role. An executive chef plans menus and makes decisions for their team. An executive chef also supervises all food preparation, trains kitchen personnel, creates budgets, and ensures that the food meets quality standards. Although this work involves communication skills during service, much of the planning can be done independently.
Content Manager
Many content managers work from the comfort of their own homes, which is ideal for an introvert. They improve an organization’s content creation and marketing strategy and ensure all content aligns with the company brand guidelines and business goals. Having their own workspace allows content managers to think creatively.
Editor
Like a content manager, editors can also work from home, either on a freelance basis, or with a publishing house, newspaper, or PR firm. An editor reviews and proofreads copy to catch grammatical and spelling errors. Editors can work for multiple clients at a time and the work can often be done alone. However, providing feedback to writers may be part of this role.
Account Manager
An account manager spends most of their time looking at numbers and spreadsheets. While some client interaction will take place, much of their day is spent using analytical skills to make sense of numbers and balance accounts. This includes keeping company financial records, making recommendations to businesses on their financial welfare, and examining financial documents.
Graphic Designer
Working as a graphic designer is a good choice for an introvert because it also can be done from home and involves little human interaction. The designer must come up with ideas for visuals, then design them using computer programs. These visuals may be used for websites and applications, on social media, or for packaging and other printed products.
A good designer knows how to communicate their brand’s objectives through visuals. Another advantage of this job is that you can take on multiple graphic design contracts at once if you choose to freelance. A benefit of this career, especially if you don’t have experience in the industry, is that it is a tech career that doesn’t require coding.
Behavioral Therapist
A major part of working as a therapist is listening. In particular, behavioral therapists focus on individuals who suffer from mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and addiction as well as conditions such as autism and ADD.
Behavioral therapists listen to the difficulties their patients are facing, then help them modify their behavior if necessary. An introvert can thrive in a job like this because they have a compassionate and calming nature that can put their patients at ease.
Tips for Finding Success as an Introvert
Finding success as an introvert can take a while since most introverts are quiet. Many workplaces involve interactive meetings and networking events that can leave an introvert feeling sidelined. So, as an introvert, you need to consciously create a path that will lead to success at work. The tips listed below are a great place to start.
- Speak with confidence. Since introverts are naturally shy, you need to consciously focus on speaking confidently, especially when you’re searching for jobs. During interviews, let your prospective employer know that you have the skills for the job. Practice explaining the value you bring to their company in clear terms.
- Build strong friendships and relationships. As an introvert, you won’t want to be the center of attention. But it’s still necessary to build a close circle of friends with people at your place of work or in your industry. These friendships can help bring you out of your comfort zone occasionally and can also lead to other job opportunities.
- Think before you speak. Focus on thinking before you speak. This will help you make your point clear when speaking. If you’re asked for your opinion, take some time to articulate your ideas and compose your response before you talk. This will show employers that you’re mature and self-aware.
- Identify what environments motivate you. As an introvert, you might find a lot of work environments draining. To avoid this, you should get comfortable with saying no. Don’t take on a job or a task if it isn’t right for you.
- Smile. This is a timeless tip. Smiling builds your confidence and puts your mind at ease. If you need to meet with a superior, smile to boost your confidence before the meeting. Even if you’re not very social, smiling will leave a good impression on your colleagues.
Jobs for Introverts Outlook
There are many jobs out there that are well-suited for introverts, including in tech. Luckily that’s an industry that is expected to see a lot of growth in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects jobs for software developers to increase by 22 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than the growth rate of 7.7 percent that’s expected across all jobs.
Other high-paying jobs for introverts, such as veterinarians, are also expected to grow. The BLS expects to see 4,400 more jobs added per year in this field between 2020 and 2030. There are jobs for introverts in many industries. All you need to do is choose the one that you think you’ll like best.
Best Jobs for Introverts FAQ
Yes, you can work in all kinds of jobs as an introvert. However, jobs that rely heavily on interpersonal skills or public speaking may be less enjoyable for you. If you want to make a career change, consider attending a coding bootcamp.
Yes, people with introverted tendencies can get along with all personality types. All you need to do is be understanding of other people’s personality traits and how they function at work.
You should leave your comfort zone whenever you feel willing to go out and explore something new.
Sometimes our environment can influence us. If you are in a position where you want to change your introverted nature, you can put yourself in more social situations to improve your communication skills.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
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