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According to a recent study from Resume Genius, identifying your personality type could be the key to finding your dream career.
You may have heard of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a popular personality test that sorts people into 16 types based on four key pairs of traits: extraversion or introversion, sensing or intuition, thinking or feeling and judging or perceiving.
Based on questionnaire answers from the Personality Database forum, Resume Genius identified the most popular jobs for each MBTI personality type, then determined each job's median annual pay based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
According to Eva Chan, senior PR expert at Resume Genius, knowing your core personality traits can be a "game changer" for your professional journey.
"You become more aware of your shortcomings and your strengths," Chan says.
Of course, a personality quiz shouldn't be a deciding factor in choosing your career, but "it's a really fun and useful way to reflect and become more self-aware," she says.
From prosecutor to fashion designer, these are the highest-paying jobs for each Myers-Briggs personality type.
1. ISTJ — Surgeon
Annual median wage: $239,2000
"Surgeons are very dependable," Chan says. "They're detail-oriented, and they have to be an extremely disciplined because of all the schooling that they do."
A career in a surgery is a good match for ISTJs because it requires organizational skills, practicality and concentration.
"There's a high degree of accountability, which I think is something that ISTJs are known for," Chan says.
2. INFJ — Psychiatrist
Annual median wage: $226,880
INFJ personality types are typically insightful, inquisitive and conscientious, Chan says.
"Psychiatrists are people that really understand others," she says. "They have good people skills."
3. ESTJ — Airline captain
Annual median wage: $198,000
According to Chan, ESTJs tend to be practical, responsible and logical.
"ESTJs are known to be more structured and organized," Chan says. "They like to follow procedures."
They are also decisive leaders who are easily able to take charge when emergencies arise, making them a perfect fit for the transportation and aviation industries.
4. INTP — Physicist
Annual median wage: $166,290
INTPs are known for being logical, big-picture thinkers. That's why they make great physicists, Chan says.
"Physicists are very analytical, they're curious, they enjoy solving different sets of problems," she says.
INTPs tend to be more introverted, so they thrive in focused, self-contained environments like research labs.
"It's a good role for them to be independent and be able to pursue questions deeply," Chan says.
5. ENFP — Advertising director
Annual median wage: $159,660
Being an advertising director requires interpersonal skills, imagination and a lot of energy, Chan says.
Alongside their innate creativity, ENFPs have strong emotional intelligence and "a sense of what connects with people," she says.
They'll thrive in any role that involves collaboration and inventiveness.
6. ENTJ — Prosecutor
Annual median wage: $151,160
ENTJs are "really persuasive, really focused, and capable of working under pressure," Chan says. Additionally, they tend to be "very logical thinkers and strong public speakers."
Due to their assertiveness and leadership skills, ENTJs would make great prosecutors, she says: "They thrive in roles where they can take the lead, argue their case, and likely see the results they want."
Other roles in government or criminal justice may also be a good fit, Chan says.
7. ENFJ — Human resources manager
Annual median wage: $140,030
ENFJ's are natural connectors and relationship builders, Chan says.
"They're very emotionally attuned to what other people need," she says. "They're very empathetic, and they're strong communicators."
According to Chan, HR managers often serve as a "bridge" between leadership and employees.
Given their social and organizational skills, ENFJs will thrive in a field "where people development is part of the mission."
8. ESTP — Sales manager
Annual median wage: $138,060
According to Chan, ESTPs are often very results-driven, which makes them well-suited to pursuing ambitious targets as a sales manager.
"This type of role involves a lot of confidence, being really adaptable and being able to perform under pressure," Chan says. "You have to be able to think really quickly on your feet, and be able to work well in a team."
Beyond sales, ESTPs often succeed in industries like real estate, retail and business leadership, she says.
9. ISFJ — Pharmacist
Annual median wage: $137,480
ISFJs are detail-oriented and reliable, Chan says.
They might be drawn to pharmacist roles because of their penchant for structure and organization, as well as their desire to help others.
10. ISTP — Electrical engineer
Annual median wage: $118,780
ISTPs tend to be quick-thinking problem solvers, which makes them ideal for an analytical field like electrical engineering.
Additionally, their quiet demeanors can be helpful in high-pressure situations.
"They are reliable, calm people that you can go to when needed," Chan says.
11. INTJ — Data scientist
Annual median wage: $112,590
INTJs tend to be analytical, independent and great with numbers, which makes them well-suited for a role in data science.
They're adept at solving complex problems, identifying trends and making evidence-based recommendations.
"It's a valuable skill set for industries like tech, finance, logistics, health care and data analytics," Chan says.
12. INFP — Animator
Annual median wage: $99,800
INFPs are "deeply creative," Chan says. They enjoy roles "where they can tell really meaningful stories," and they often bring unconventional, unique ideas to the table.
At the same time, INFPs often prefer to work behind the scenes: "They don't necessarily want a lot of attention, but they want their ideas to be heard."
Working as an animator allows INFPs to create art that is "emotionally resonant" to others, Chan says.
13. ENTP — Forensic psychologist
Annual median wage: $94,310
ENTPs tend to be resourceful, quick-thinking, analytical and perceptive. They're great at solving problems and reading other people, Chan says.
Working in forensic psychology is a good fit for ENTPs, who tend to have good social skills but also require alone time, she says.
14. ESFP — Model
Annual median wage: $89,990
"ESFPs are born entertainers," Chan says. They're not afraid of being in the spotlight, and their charisma tends to make them the center of attention.
With their people skills and strong presence, ESFPs are well-suited to the modeling industry.
"Their confidence really shines through, whether that's on camera or with the people that they interact with," she says.
15. ESFJ — Postsecondary teacher
Annual median wage: $83,980
ESFJs love structure, organization and a good to-do list, Chan says. That's why they thrive in education, where they get to organize their curriculum, measure progress and hone in on specific subjects.
"You know what your goals are and what the students need," she says.
Due to their warm personalities and empathetic nature, ESFJs easily build connections with students and fellow educators.
16. ISFP — Fashion designer
Annual median wage: $80,690
ISFPs are "deeply creative" people, Chan says. Being a fashion designer allows them to articulate their artistic vision and bring their imagination to life.
Moreover, ISFPs "thrive on having freedom," and they're well-suited to solo work.
"Fashion design is a great medium for someone who wants independence or autonomy," Chan says. "They're original, they stand out, and they're not afraid to follow their path."
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