17 Best Jobs & Careers for Introverts in 2022

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No one would ever put “event manager” on a list of the best jobs for introverts. As a fellow introvert, I bet you are already cringing at the thought

I am an introvert, and I worked as an assistant event manager for a few years. While I dreaded it most days, the positive side is that I learned a lot about project management when all was said and done.

I try and hang on to that as I recall my disdain for all the social interaction that was required: the incessant ringing of my phone and the busy environment when we set up for an event with all the people around me, everyone wanting a piece of me because I had the info they needed (#infocenter101).

If you want to avoid what I experienced for those three years, and would much rather stay as far away as possible from jobs better suited for extroverts, you’ll find a comprehensive career list of jobs suitable for introverts right here.

What Is an Introvert? 

Introversion is a personality trait that’s often seen to be the opposite of extroversion. People who identify with an introversion personality type are called introverts, meaning they tend to turn inward by focusing more on their feelings, thoughts, and ideas. Introverts also thrive in environments with minimal stimulation because they will experience an “introvert hangover”…  feeling completely drained after they’ve spent time with too many people, or had too much social interaction.     

No one is quite sure about what causes people to be introverts, extroverts, or ambiverts (yes that is also a thing). The cause of introversion could be a result of physiology or genetics, where you are born with a certain personality type. Or it could be a product of your environment, as in how you were raised, your life experiences and education. 

A study found that an introvert’s brain works a little differently when compared to an extrovert’s brain. When an extrovert is in a social environment, they get an excited or pleasure buzz, so their dopamine (the chemical messenger responsible for how we feel pleasure) levels spike. Introverts are more sensitive to dopamine, so highly sociable events aren’t enjoyable. With lower levels of dopamine, an introvert feels drained and uncomfortable

Introverts also have an increased blood flow to their frontal lobe, which helps them solve problems, plan, and remember. They prefer to focus inward and not get busy socializing outside their mind and comfort zone.

Personality Traits of an Introvert 

Here are the personality traits of introversion

  • Reserved 
  • Independent 
  • Thoughtful 
  • Deep thinker, seeker of meaning  
  • Quiet 
  • Introspective 
  • Likes to plan 
  • Prefers alone time to recharge, just be, and have me time  
  • Self-aware and reflective 
  • Avoid social interaction 
  • Sensitive to conflict, negativity, and criticism 
  • Zone out to get away or escape
  • Experience emotions and feelings on a deep level 
  • Dislike small talk
  • Better at writing than speaking (and prefer writing too) 
  • Find themselves thinking of the right thing to say after the fact 
  • Learn better through observation

Introversion also has 4 subtypes, so you likely fall into one of these categories: 

  1. The anxious introvert – like alone time; feels awkward around people
  2. The restrained introvert – think before making a decision  
  3. The social introvert – prefer small groups 
  4. The thinking introvert – think a lot; daydreamer type; creative imagination 

Is Introversion Bad? 

The pandemic and lockdowns around the world have highlighted what an extroverted culture a traditional workplace is, especially since introverts thrived when they could work from home

A BBC article said it best: “The workplace was created by extroverts, for extroverts,” which is also why it feels like introverts are destined to fail in so-called extroverted careers and environments. Plus, it’s why introversion has such a bad rep – and being an introvert isn’t a bad thing at all. 

Misconceptions and labeling introverts as “reserved,” “shy,” “arrogant,” “unfriendly,” “unable to be a leader,” “people haters,” “too serious,” and “rude” don’t help. Introverts are misunderstood by extroverts, who outnumber introverts at a ratio of 3:1.     

But being an introvert isn’t a character flaw. In fact, in some ways it’s considered to be a strength, despite society telling you there is something wrong with you. You can be successful in your workplace, whether it’s more suitable for extroverts or introverts, because the power of self-acceptance helps you leverage your gifts and feel free to be yourself.

In Good Company. 

Ever wonder if famous people could be introverts? Most definitely! And there are quite a lot of famous introverts, from way back in history to today. If you are interested in reading more about famous introverts, we have an article on them.

But for now, we will whet your appetite with ten of my personal favs:  

  1. Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady, diplomat, and activist   
  2. Steven Spielberg, film director  
  3. Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder 
  4. Meryl Streep, actress 
  5. Rosa Parks, civil rights hero  
  6. Albert Einstein, scientist  
  7. Mahatma Gandhi, renowned leader  
  8. Ingrid Bergman, actress 
  9. Sir Alfred Hitchcock, film director 
  10. Sir Isaac Newton, scientist  

17 Best Jobs for Introverts 

Working in a career that is better suited for introverts surely makes life easier, so I’ve compiled a list of the best jobs for introverts

1. Writer

Basic Overview

Since introverts are usually better at expressing themselves with the written word, becoming a writer is ideal for an introvert. There’s a wide possibility of jobs for writers, from creative writing and technical guides to web content and copywriting. Both in-house and independent contractor writers need to liaise with their clients or bosses, so some social interaction is required, but for the most part, writers are independent and can deeply think about their content creation process. 

Average Salary

$42,502-$55,000/annum or more 

Education Requirements

  • College degree in any field (recommended) 
  • Short courses in writing, search engine optimization (SEO), marketing, and other fields for technical know-how 

How to Get Started

  • Get a college degree; however, most writers are self-taught and have industry-specific experience  
  • Keep writing for practice 
  • Find your niche or writing genre
  • Do short courses to continue your education 
  • Apply to jobs, write samples, reach out to online publishing platforms and blogs and guest post 

2. Editor 

Basic Overview

As an editor, you can specialize in copyediting, proofreading, developmental editing, structural editing, line editing, and content editing where you work with books, web content, white papers, marketing material, and more. 

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The pandemic and lockdowns around the world have highlighted what an extroverted culture a traditional workplace is, especially since introverts thrived when they could work from home. 

Depending on the type of editing you do, you are responsible for checking the little things like punctuation, grammar, and spelling to bigger elements like continuity, overall soundness, character development, and more.   

You can work as an independent contractor, at a magazine, corporate company, or publishing house. When working on the content, you typically work by yourself but you need to interact with your boss or client. 

Average Salary

$35,904-$133,000/annum 

Education Requirements

  • College degree in English, language you want to edit, communication studies, or a specialized field (recommended)  
  • Certificate course or degree in editing and/or proofreading (recommended) 

How to Get Started

  • Get an undergrad degree
  • Do a course on editing or proofreading to learn how the process works. 
  • Join an online editing group to learn more.
  • Learn about various style guides and format styles, like APA, Harvard, AP, and MLA. 
  • Apply for an internship or practice by editing reports, emails, etc. from family and friends to get experience.  
  • Apply for an editing job or start freelance editing.

3. Content Manager 

Basic Overview

Content managers work with an agency or client(s) to decide on content for their website, social media platforms, etc. They are responsible for all aspects of content creation – topic and keyword research, SEO strategy, briefs and style guides for writers and editors, and publishing or delivering content to clients.

Most of these responsibilities are done remotely and also calls on an introvert’s preference for writing.    

Average Salary

$63,314/annum 

Education Requirements

  • College degree (recommended) 
  • SEO course (recommended) 
  • Content marketing course (recommended) 
  • Project management course (recommended) 

How to Get Started

  • Get a college degree
  • Complete courses in SEO and content marketing. 
  • Get an internship to learn more about SEO, content, etc. – either as a content manager assistant or writer. 
  • As you gain experience, apply for content managing positions

4. Translator 

Basic Overview

Fluent in more than one language? You can consider becoming a translator, whether you have general skills or technical expertise, and translate documents or conversations from one language to another. 

Translating transcribed or written materials means you get to work mostly by yourself and on a flexible basis. You can also become a translator for diplomats or business officials, but this means there’s more social interaction.    

Average Salary

$52,330/annum

Education Requirements

  • College degree (recommended) 
  • Language courses (to translate in a non-native language)
  • Translation courses (recommended) 

How to Get Started

  • Obtain your college degree
  • Take language classes if you aren’t already fluent in a second language. 
  • Take a translation course to learn tips and tricks of the trade. 
  • Get some experience by working for translation agencies, translation portals, etc. Or volunteer.  
  • When you are confident in your skills and have enough experience, market yourself if you want to work as a freelancer or look for full-time translator jobs.  

5. Social Media Manager 

Basic Overview

A social media manager works for an agency, content producing company, or several clients to promote the company, services, and products on social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and others. Working behind the scenes (perfect for an introvert, right?), these managers are responsible for reaching new leads or customers, engaging with the company's followers and fans, creating social media content and a content calendar, and more.  

Average Salary

$55,314/annum 

Education Requirements

  • College degree in marketing, communication, etc. (recommended) 
  • Courses in social media marketing (SEM), content creation, SEO, etc. 

How to Get Started

  • Earn your undergrad degree
  • Complete courses and get certified in SEM, SEO, and so on.   
  • Get relevant work experience by volunteering to do the SEM for non-profits, volunteer groups, and start-ups and use the results to leverage a job or market yourself. 
  • Apply for a social media manager position.   

6. Photographer 

Basic Overview

A photographer is someone who captures images via a camera, and while this can sound boring, photographs get to be creative with how shots are composed. Plus, there are various niches in photography you can specialize in: weddings, babies, family gatherings, fine art, portrait, commercial, modeling and fashion, sports, aerial, and even scientific photography. 

You may interact with your subjects, clients, or helpers to set up the shots, but for the most part, photographers get to work by themselves.     

Average Salary

$69,000/annum 

Education Requirements

  • Certificate programs or a degree (Associate or Bachelor’s) in photography 
  • MA degree 
  • Certifications like the Registered Biological Photographer or Certified Professional Photographer 

How to Get Started

  • Sign up for a degree, online course, or certificate program
  • Decide what niche you want to specialize. 
  • Find a mentor and/or internship or volunteer opportunities. 
  • Create your portfolio and continue practicing. 
  • Pass exams to qualify for certifications
  • Apply for entry-level jobs
  • Consider further education

7. Psychologist 

Basic Overview

Psychology is quite a wide field of study, where you can choose to become an aviation, consumer, forensic, military, school, bio, clinical, cognitive, community, comparative, counseling, cross-cultural, developmental, health, or personality psychologist. 

These professionals study mental processes and human behavior to understand how people relate to others and their environment. 

Average Salary

$95,438/annum 

Education Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in psychology 
  • Master’s degree (recommended) 
  • Doctoral degree (recommended)

How to Get Started

  • Start by earning your BA degree in psychology. 
  • Apply for internships and volunteer work to gain work experience. 
  • Complete your MA degree
  • Enroll in a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree and accrue the necessary supervised hours via an internship or practicum
  • Apply for a license through your state and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). 

8. Psychiatrist 

Basic Overview

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in mental health. As a deep thinker and seeker of meaning, understanding the human mind could be interesting for an introvert, even though there is quite a bit of social interaction with patients.  

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They prefer to focus inward and not get busy socializing outside their mind and comfort zone.

When a psychiatrist seeks a patient, they diagnose, treat, and help prevent behavioral and emotional mental health issues using psychoanalysis, counseling, and medication. 

Average Salary

$216,090/annum 

Education Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree 
  • Medical degree 
  • Certifications in specialized mental health fields 

How to Get Started

  • Get your BA degree in pre-med, physical science, or psychology. 
  • Sit and pass the medical college admission test (MCAT). 
  • Choose between a medical doctor (MD) and doctor of osteopathy (DO) program and complete med school
  • Join the American Psychiatric Association (APA) or another professional organization. 
  • Complete your residency training in a hospital or clinic. 
  • Complete a fellowship and further training if you want to become a subspecialist (psychosomatic medicine, child and youth psychiatry, addictions, etc.). 
  • Obtain your medical license via your state's medical board – pass an exam and register if you want to dispense medication to patients. 
  • Get a license from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and renew the license every 10 years. 

9. Accountant

Basic Overview

Becoming an accountant may have been your first thought when thinking about the best jobs for introverts. After all, accountants work with numbers all day, so there’s no time for social interaction, right? True, but these professionals do need to communicate with their clients – when needed. 

An accountant helps businesses and individuals understand their financials so they can make sound decisions. For a company, an accountant keeps track of transactions, monitors financial performance, and prepares financial statements.  

Average Salary

$65,700/annum 

Education Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting with courses in management, statistics, international finance, auditing, personal and business tax, or financial recordkeeping
  • Additional qualifications or certifications: Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), Certified Internal Auditors, Certified Management Accountants, etc.   
  • Masters in Accounting (optional) 

How to Get Started

  • Earn a BA degree
  • Decide if you want to be an accountant or a CPA
  • Choose a specialty in the accounting field (tax accounting, auditing, nonprofit accounting, etc.). 
  • Apply for entry-level accounting jobs
  • Complete a postgraduate degree to learn more and increase your earnings. 
  • Become a credible accountant by obtaining an accounting certification or two.  

10. Park Ranger  

Basic Overview

If being out in nature helps you recharge, then a park ranger job is ideal for the introvert in you. Park rangers work in visitor centers in state and national parks, give tours, patrol the park grounds, and participate in search-and-rescue missions. So yes, there’s social interaction with your colleagues and park visitors, but you are out in nature, so you can recharge!  

Average Salary

$51,481/annum 

Education Requirements

  • Associate or Bachelor’s degree in ecology, conservation, anthropology, forestry, earth science, or botany, with 24 semester credit hours in natural resource management, public administration, social sciences, history, etc. 
  • Park ranger recruit training  
  • Depending on the park, may need law enforcement officer training, police basic training, etc. 

How to Get Started

  • Earn an Associate or BA degree.
  • Look for volunteer opportunities (as a form of interning) to gain experience. 
  • Apply for a park ranger job
  • Pass the pre-employment process to ensure you are qualified.
  • Complete the park rangers recruit training.

11. Software Engineer 

Basic Overview

Software engineers combine programming know-how with their understanding of business to create a software application that will solve a company’s pain points. Becoming a software engineer is one of the best jobs for introverts because it appeals to an introvert’s sense of planning, problem-solving, thinking about problems and solutions, and working independently or in small teams.   

Average Salary

$121,366/annum 

Education Requirements

  • Associate degree in software systems engineering or software engineering technology 
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related niche 
  • Coding boot camp
  • Specialized certification programs and courses (web development, technical stacks, DevOps, and mobile development) 
  • Certification from technology vendors like Oracle and Microsoft or professional organizations like IEEE

How to Get Started

  • Complete an Associate or BA degree, or coding boot camp. Or choose to self-learn via freeCodeCamp or Khan Academy. 
  • Find an internship to practice what you learned and get real world experience. 
  • Choose a specialization and do courses to up your skills. 
  • Apply for entry-level software engineering jobs
  • While working, pursue certifications to improve your marketability. 
  • Attend conferences to stay up to date on the latest developments in the field. 
  • Earn a postgraduate degree if you want to move into managerial and leadership opportunities.   

12. Veterinarian 

Basic Overview

Another best job for introverts is becoming a veterinarian, or vet. You get to work with animals more than people. A vet is an animal doctor who examines sick or injured dogs, cats, exotic animals, and more to diagnose and treat them. A vet may need to interact with the pet’s owners to advise them on care, administering meds, and so on. 

Average Salary

$112,302/annum 

Education Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree (in mammalogy, biochemistry, animal behavior, biological science, chemistry, math, physics, or general biology) 
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree 
  • Specialty courses 

How to Get Started

  • Complete your BA degree.
  • Join a pre-veterinary club to access resources for internships, volunteer work, or shadowing programs.   
  • Volunteer or do internships in the field. 
  • Then go on to complete your Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
  • Get your license by studying for and passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. 
  • Gain more experience in the vet field. 
  • Decide if you want to specialize in surgery, internal medicine, etc. Then complete a residency in this field or study in that specialty. 
  • Join a professional veterinarian association to access resources to continue your education, published literature, and more 

13. Data Analyst 

Basic Overview

Becoming a data analyst is another great job suited for an introvert because you get to use data, solve problems, make predictions, and then help the company strategically decide on plans for product development and more. As such, data analysts turn data gathered from customers, the company’s performance, products, and costs into insights.    

Average Salary

$90,000/annum 

Education Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in math, science, statistics, business, or computer science (recommended) 
  • Professional certificate programs in programming languages, data tools, and presentation tools 

How to Get Started

  • Earn a BA degree or teach yourself about data visualization techniques, SQL, statistics, and a programming language like Python. 
  • Complete a certificate program
  • Work on real data projects (look for data on climate changes or use open data from NASA for practice). 
  • Practice data visualization and presentation methods for the project you worked on. 
  • Create your portfolio
  • Apply for internships or junior data analyst positions

14. Astronomer  

Basic Overview

The quiet fascination with space, meteors, black holes, and more might sound really attractive to introverts who like to live in their own worlds. Astronomers study the universe to try and understand planetary and solar systems and the cosmos by developing hypotheses, writing research proposals, gathering and analyzing data, publishing papers, and presenting findings. 

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People who identify with an introversion personality type are called introverts, meaning they tend to turn inward by focusing more on their feelings, thoughts, and ideas.

Astronomers usually work in teams with other scientists, but there’s space to work independently too.  

Average Salary

$117,053/annum 

Education Requirements

  • Math, science, and chemistry subjects in high school 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Physical Science, or a degree in astrophysics 
  • Master’s degree in astronomy and/or physics 
  • Doctorate degree in a specialized field of astronomy 

How to Get Started

  • Start by taking math, physics, and chemistry in high school
  • Earn a BA degree that focuses on physics and astronomy. 
  • Join professional associations like the American Astronomical Society or the International Astronomical Union. 
  • Go on to earn an MA and write a master’s thesis.
  • Complete a doctorate degree in galactic, solar, or radio astronomy and write a Ph.D dissertation. Complete fellowships and internships as part of your studies. 
  • Do a postdoctoral fellowship by applying for research positions at universities. 
  • If offered, accept a full-time position at the college and/or become a professor. Or look for astronomy positions at an observatory, a space agency, or in the aerospace industry.   

15. Financial Analyst 

Basic Overview

In the financial analyst role, you can choose to work for: 

  • Investment banks – help ascertain whether mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings are feasible, assess current market conditions, and make recommendations  
  • Sell-side companies – write research reports with recommendations and track stocks to evaluate securities in a sector   
  • Buy-side companies – help organization decide how best to spend their money, from investing in stocks and securities to buying income properties 

This kind of job is ideal for introverts who are independent, deep thinkers, and planners

Average Salary

$71,453/annum 

Education Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field  
  • Courses to become proficient in spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software
  • Various financial and industry certifications (e.g., financial planning, fund specialist, financial risk manager, personal finance specialist, private wealth advisor, international investment analyst, etc.)   
  • MBA (recommended) 

How to Get Started

  • Earn your BA degree
  • Do an internship to get your foot in the door and help you network. 
  • Find a job as a junior financial analyst or earn an MA in Financial Analysis or MBA.
  • Continue your education with certifications.  
  • Some jobs may require a license from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). 

16. Marine Engineer  

Basic Overview

A marine engineer is one of the best jobs for an introvert because they mainly work on designs in front of a PC, there’s limited social interaction, and they need to use their deep thinking and planning skills. A marine engineer, or ship engineer, works with naval architects to design, build, test, and repair boats, underwater craft, ships, and more.   

Average Salary

$92,400/annum 

Education Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering 
  • Courses in power production, fluid dynamics, and electrical engineering 

How to Get Started

  • Get your Engineering degree
  • Take extra courses in specialized areas like power production. 
  • Apply for an internship to gain experience
  • To become a professional marine engineer, take the licensure exam.
  • Get the US Coast Guard’s license for mariners.  

17. Medical Transcriptionist 

Basic Overview

Working with various health care providers, medical transcriptionists (or medical language specialists) transcribe (listen to and accurately record) each provider’s dictated notes according to the practice’s template so every patient’s medical history and treatment is recorded. 

Apart from reaching out to the provider to get clarification if there’s conflicting information, a medical transcriptionist works independently and uses their medical knowledge to ensure there are no mistakes.   

Average Salary

$57,786/annum

Education Requirements

  • Certificate course to understand various medical terminology and specialties, pharmacology, and the human anatomy and physiology 
  • Associate degree  

How to Get Started

  • Graduate from a medical transcription course.
  • Become a Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) after passing their exam – you need a minimum of 2 years’ experience or work in only one specialty. 
  • Work for 2 years in a clinical setting, either acute-care or multi-specialty. 
  • Obtain your Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS) certification.
  • Continue your education: every three years, do 20 hours of RHDS, or 30 hours of CHDS, or retake the exam.    

Final Thoughts on the Best Jobs for Introverts 

Being an introvert is actually a wonderful thing, despite being so thoroughly misunderstood by extroverts. If you are stuck in a job that’s more suited for extroverts, accept who you are and turn your introversion into your greatest strengths and shine! 

If you are looking for a new career path, there are plenty of jobs for introverts out there that are better suited for you – even more than what I have on my list here.  Seriously allergic to people? Then check out our list of 15 jobs if you like working alone.  

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