Learn about typical career interests of the the INFJ personality type, potential career matches, and careers to avoid.
Reading time: 5 minutes
After a short summary of INFJ career interests, you’ll find 20 potential career fits for INFJs, along with several poor fits, identified by combining data about INFJ personality patterns with detailed occupational information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The chart below shows where INFJs tend to fall on the classic RIASEC career interest dimensions: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.
Your unique blend of these dimensions dramatically influences how well a career feels like a good fit.
The dark blue areas show where INFJs are most likely to fall on each dimension.
Most INFJs tend to have the following pattern of interests:
High Artistic interests: People with strong Artistic interests prefer jobs that require innovation through artistic and intuitive skills in less structured tasks and environments. Examples include artists, novelists, actors or actresses, musicians, curators, and designers.
Average Social interests: People with strong Social interests fit well with careers that involve helping, comforting, caring for, and teaching other people. Examples include physical therapists, counselors, clergy, social workers, doctors, and nurses.
Average Investigative interests: People with strong Investigative interests prefer roles that require observation, researching, and understanding ideas. They tend to prefer working with data and ideas rather than working closely with other people. Examples include medical researchers, chemists, software engineers, scientific reporters, and statisticians.
Average Enterprising interests: People with strong Enterprising interests are often skilled communicators and enjoy influencing, persuading, and leading other people. They actively pursue leadership roles and opportunities to bolster their status and reputation. Examples include sales and marketing directors, politicians and political organizers, and executives.
Average Conventional interests: People with strong Conventional interests excel in roles that require categorizing, planning, and systematizing information and processes. Examples include financial officers, budget analysts, office managers, database analysts, and systems administrators.
Low Realistic interests: People with high Realistic interests enjoy careers that allow them to work with their hands or tools to get a job done, rather than thinking or talking about it. They may also gravitate towards jobs with opportunities for working outdoors, competition, and risk-taking. Examples include police officers, military officers, professional athletes, farmers, builders, mechanics, forest rangers, and woodworkers.
However, it’s possible to find INFJs at any point on any of these six dimensions. While most INFJs have relatively low Realistic interests, there are still a few INFJs who score very highly on them.
This is one of the limitations to using MBTI personality types for career matching. Alternatively, you can find a more precise assessment of your unique combination of personality traits, strengths, career interests, and more here at TraitLab.
Most INFJs have intense Artistic interests, meaning they will gravitate towards roles with opportunities to create, innovate, and experiment.
Many INFJs also have strong Social interests, which fit well with roles requiring skillful communication and empathy.
Other INFJs tend to lean into Investigative interests, pulling them towards roles with heavy demands for thinking, analysis, and research.
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People who work in the following 20 occupations tend to have similar interests to most INFJs:
Also known as Court Interpreter, Deaf Interpreter, Educational Interpreter, Interpreter, Medical Interpreter, Paraprofessional Interpreter, Sign Language Interpreter, Spanish Interpreter, Technical Translator, Translator
Interpreters interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Typical pay range: $29,740 - $96,480 (annual)
Learn more about Interpreters ->
Also known as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Foreign Languages Professor, French Professor, German Professor, Instructor, Modern Languages Professor, Professor, Spanish Instructor, Spanish Professor
Languages Professors teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. In addition, Languages Professors
Typical pay range: $40,970 - $135,800 (annual)
Learn more about Languages Professors ->
Also known as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Humanities Professor, Instructor, Philosophy Instructor, Philosophy Professor, Professor, Religion Professor, Religious Studies Professor, Theology Professor
Philosophy Professors teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. They also includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical pay range: $40,470 - $155,430 (annual)
Learn more about Philosophy Professors ->
Also known as Choir Director, Composer, Conductor, Film Composer, Liturgical Music Director, Music Composer, Music Director, Music Producer, Orchestra Director, Songwriter
Composers conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.
Typical pay range: $23,890 - $124,390 (annual)
Learn more about Composers ->
Also known as Art Teacher, Dance Instructor, Dance Teacher, Driving Instructor, Flight Instructor, Instructor, Martial Arts Instructor, Music Instructor, Piano Teacher, Teacher
Self Enrichment Teachers teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.
Typical pay range: $21,920 - $82,000 (annual)
Learn more about Self Enrichment Teachers ->
Also known as Applied Behavior Science Specialist (ABSS), Child Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Therapist, Counseling Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Pediatric Psychologist, Psychologist, Psychotherapist
Clinical Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. In addition, Clinical Psychologists
Typical pay range: $46,410 - $138,550 (annual)
Learn more about Clinical Psychologists ->
Also known as Case Manager, Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Therapist, Clinician, Counselor, Mental Health Therapist, Psychotherapist, Social Worker, Substance Abuse Counselor, Therapist
Mental Health Social Workers assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. They also activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.
Typical pay range: $30,770 - $87,420 (annual)
Learn more about Mental Health Social Workers ->
Also known as Adjunct Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Clinical Psychology Professor, Faculty Member, Instructor, Lecturer, Professor, Psychology Instructor, Psychology Professor
Psychology Professors teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. They also includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical pay range: $41,480 - $155,800 (annual)
Learn more about Psychology Professors ->
Also known as Adjunct History Instructor, Adjunct Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, History Instructor, History Professor, History Teacher, Instructor, Lecturer, Professor
History Professors teach courses in human history and historiography. They also includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical pay range: $37,340 - $141,860 (annual)
Learn more about History Professors ->
Also known as __
Political Scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. In addition, Political Scientists
Typical pay range: $62,840 - $170,800 (annual)
Learn more about Political Scientists ->
Also known as Research Associate, Research Coordinator, Research Scientist, Research Specialist, Social Scientist, Sociologist
Sociologists study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. They also may study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.
Typical pay range: $52,640 - $143,020 (annual)
Learn more about Sociologists ->
Also known as Clinical Therapist, Counselor, Family Therapist, Human Relations Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Marriage and Family Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Outpatient Therapist, Play Therapist
Family Therapists diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. They also apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.
Typical pay range: $33,140 - $92,930 (annual)
Learn more about Family Therapists ->
Also known as Bariatric Weight Loss Counselor, Certified Exercise Physiologist (EPC), Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Clinical Exercise Specialist, Exercise Physiologist, Exercise Scientist, Exercise Specialist, Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant
Exercise Physiologists assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.
Typical pay range: $36,070 - $78,170 (annual)
Learn more about Exercise Physiologists ->
Also known as Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist, Communication Specialist, Educational Speech-Language Clinician, Speech and Language Clinician, Speech and Language Specialist, Speech Pathologist, Speech Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), Speech/Language Therapist, Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped
Speech And Language Pathologists assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. In addition, Speech And Language Pathologists
Typical pay range: $50,370 - $122,790 (annual)
Learn more about Speech And Language Pathologists ->
Also known as Editor, Film Editor, News Editor, News Video Editor, News Videotape Editor, Non-Linear Editor, Online Editor, Tape Editor, Television News Video Editor, Video Editor
Video Editors edit moving images on film, video, or other media. In addition, Video Editors
Typical pay range: $34,870 - $152,720 (annual)
Learn more about Video Editors ->
Also known as Adult Psychiatrist, Child Adolescent Psychiatrist, Child Psychiatrist, Consulting Psychiatrist, Medical Doctor (MD), Outpatient Psychiatrist, Prison Psychiatrist, Psychiatrist, Staff Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.
Typical pay range: $69,470 - $208,000+ (annual)
Learn more about Psychiatrists ->
Also known as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Classification Instructor, Information Science Professor, Instructor, Lecturer, Library Instructor, Library Science Professor, Library Technology Instructor, Professor
Library Science Professors teach courses in library science. They also includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical pay range: $46,120 - $116,450 (annual)
Learn more about Library Science Professors ->
Also known as Architect, Design Architect, Principal Architect, Project Architect, Senior Architect/Design Manager, Senior Architectural Designer, Senior Planner, Specifications Writer
Architects plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
Typical pay range: $49,950 - $136,310 (annual)
Learn more about Architects ->
Also known as Employment Advisor, Employment Services Case Manager, Employment Specialist, Human Services Care Specialist, Job Coach, Rehabilitation Counselor, Rehabilitation Specialist, Vocational Case Manager, Vocational Placement Specialist, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC)
Rehabilitation Counselors counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. In addition, Rehabilitation Counselors
Typical pay range: $25,660 - $66,180 (annual)
Learn more about Rehabilitation Counselors ->
Also known as Art Teacher, English Teacher, High School Science Teacher, History Teacher, Mathematics Instructor (Math Instructor), Science Teacher, Secondary Teacher, Social Studies Teacher, Spanish Teacher, Teacher
High School Teachers teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.
Typical pay range: $41,330 - $102,130 (annual)
Learn more about High School Teachers ->
Most INFJs would struggle to enjoy careers that consistently demand Enterprising, Conventional, and Realistic interests. These careers would involve lots of management, leadership, procedures, and hands-on work (rather than artistic work or working with ideas).
A few examples include:
