Learn about typical career interests of the the INFP personality type, potential career matches, and careers to avoid.
Reading time: 5 minutes
Gregory Park, Ph.D.
Author
After a short summary of INFP career interests, you’ll find 20 potential career fits for INFPs, along with several poor fits, identified by combining data about INFP personality patterns with detailed occupational information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The chart below shows where INFPs 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 INFPs are most likely to fall on each dimension.
Most INFPs 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 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.
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.
Low 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.
However, it’s possible to find INFPs at any point on any of these six dimensions. While most INFPs have relatively low Conventional interests, there are still a few INFPs 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 INFPs have intense Artistic interests, meaning they will gravitate towards roles with opportunities to create, innovate, and experiment.
Many INFPs also have strong Social interests, which fit well with roles requiring skillful communication and empathy.
Other INFPs 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 INFPs:
Also known as Art History Professor, Art Instructor, Art Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Instructor, Music Instructor, Music Professor, Professor, Theatre Professor
Art History Professors teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. They also includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical pay range: $34,220 - $153,060 (annual)
Learn more about Art History Professors ->
Also known as Adjunct Instructor, Adjunct Professor, Architecture Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Faculty Member, Instructor, Interior Design Professor, Lecturer, Professor
Architecture Professors teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. They also includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical pay range: $45,960 - $178,310 (annual)
Learn more about Architecture Professors ->
Also known as Artist, Automotive Artist, Blacksmith, Fine Artist, Ice Carver, Illustrator, Muralist, Painter, Portrait Artist, Sculptor
Fine Artists create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
Typical pay range: $19,570 - $122,900 (annual)
Learn more about Fine Artists ->
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 Adjunct Professor; Assistant Professor; Associate Professor; Health and Human Performance Professor; Health and Physical Education Professor (HPE Professor); Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Professor (HPER Professor); Instructor; Kinesiology Professor; Physical Education Professor (PE Professor); Professor
Physical Education Professors teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management. They also includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical pay range: $33,140 - $130,580 (annual)
Learn more about Physical Education Professors ->
Also known as Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Environmental Engineering Professor, Environmental Sciences Professor, Environmental Studies Professor, Faculty Member, Instructor, Lecturer, Professor
Environmental Science Professors teach courses in environmental science. They also includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical pay range: $42,830 - $159,640 (annual)
Learn more about Environmental Science Professors ->
Also known as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Astronomy Professor, Atmospheric Sciences Professor, Geology Professor, Instructor, Meteorology Professor, Oceanography Professor, Professor, Research Professor
Atmospheric Sciences Professors teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. They also includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical pay range: $48,280 - $179,490 (annual)
Learn more about Atmospheric Sciences Professors ->
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 Ballet Director, Choreographer, Dance Director, Dance Maker, Musical Choreographer
Choreographers create new dance routines. In addition, Choreographers
Typical pay range: $21,180 - $101,250 (annual)
Learn more about Choreographers ->
Also known as Anchor, News Anchor, News Reporter, Radio News Anchor, Radio Talk Show Host, Reporter, Staff Writer, Television News Anchor (TV News Anchor), Television News Reporter, Television Reporter (TV Reporter)
News Reporters narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. They also may collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.
Typical pay range: $25,510 - $127,370 (annual)
Learn more about News Reporters ->
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 Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Biochemistry Professor, Chemistry Faculty Member, Chemistry Instructor, Chemistry Professor, Instructor, Lecturer, Organic Chemistry Professor, Professor
Chemistry Professors teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. In addition, Chemistry Professors
Typical pay range: $47,840 - $163,670 (annual)
Learn more about Chemistry 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 Commercial Makeup Artist, Hair and Makeup Designer, Makeup Artist, Prosthetic Makeup Designer, Special Effects Makeup Artist, Special Makeup Effects Artist
Makeup Artists apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
Typical pay range: $38,010 - $157,680 (annual)
Learn more about Makeup Artists ->
Also known as Advertising Photographer, Commercial Photographer, Newspaper Photographer, Owner/Photographer, Photo Editor, Photographer, Photojournalist, Portrait Photographer, Sports Photographer
Photographers photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. In addition, Photographers
Typical pay range: $22,410 - $86,850 (annual)
Learn more about Photographers ->
Also known as Curriculum and Instruction Director, Curriculum Coordinator, Curriculum Director, Curriculum Specialist, Education Specialist, Instructional Designer, Instructional Systems Specialist, Instructional Technologist, Learning Development Specialist, Program Administrator
Instructional Coordinators develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. In addition, Instructional Coordinators
Typical pay range: $39,270 - $105,650 (annual)
Learn more about Instructional Coordinators ->
Also known as Designer, Display Coordinator, Exhibit Designer, Exhibit Preparator, Production Designer, Scenic Designer, Set Decorator, Set Designer
Production Designers design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. They also may study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.
Typical pay range: $30,180 - $106,230 (annual)
Learn more about Production Designers ->
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 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 Golf Course Architect, Land Planner, Landscape Architect, Landscape Architect and Planner, Landscape Designer, Planner, Project Landscape Architect, Senior Landscape Architect
Landscape Architects plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.
Typical pay range: $42,500 - $115,660 (annual)
Learn more about Landscape Architects ->
Most INFPs would struggle to enjoy careers that focus on Enterprising and Conventional interests. These careers require constant management and leadership in highly structured environments.
A few examples include:
