My IQ TestAverage IQ by Profession: What Research Suggests
Studies find that average IQ rises with the cognitive complexity of a job, from roughly the mid-90s in routine work to around 120 in fields like medicine and law. But the ranges overlap heavily, and people of nearly every ability level succeed in nearly every occupation.
What the research found
The best-known data come from US Army testing in both World Wars and the long-running Wisconsin Longitudinal Study analyzed by sociologist Robert Hauser. Both show the same pattern: occupations requiring long training and abstract problem-solving have higher averages, yet the spread within each occupation is wide.
Hauser found that the bottom quarter of professionals overlapped heavily with the middle of many other occupations. A high score is helpful in complex roles, but it is far from the only route in.
Approximate IQ ranges by occupation
| Occupation | Approx. median | Typical middle 50% |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians and surgeons | ≈120–125 | 112–130 |
| Research scientists, professors | ≈120–125 | 112–132 |
| Lawyers | ≈118–122 | 110–128 |
| Engineers | ≈115–120 | 108–126 |
| Accountants | ≈112–118 | 105–122 |
| Teachers | ≈110–115 | 103–120 |
| Nurses | ≈107–112 | 100–117 |
| Electricians, skilled trades | ≈100–105 | 93–112 |
| Sales staff | ≈100–105 | 92–112 |
| Drivers, laborers | ≈92–98 | 85–105 |
Why the ranges overlap so much
Careers depend on opportunity, interests, training costs, social networks and personality as much as on reasoning ability. Conscientiousness, in particular, predicts job performance in almost every field. In skilled trades, practical spatial ability and experience often matter more than the abstract reasoning that IQ tests emphasize.
If you want to strengthen the thinking skills that help at work, our guide on how to improve your cognitive skills offers practical, evidence-based steps.
Common questions
What IQ do you need to be a doctor?
There is no required score. Average IQ among physicians is often estimated around 120, but many successful doctors score below that.
Does a high IQ guarantee a good job?
No. IQ is one predictor among many; persistence, social skills, health and opportunity strongly shape careers.
About the author
Dr. Elena Marsh — Elena has spent over a decade studying intelligence measurement and test construction, with a focus on fluid reasoning and fair item design.
Reviewed by Prof. Daniel Okafor — Daniel reviews item statistics and norming assumptions for our test and guides.
Sources and further reading
- Hauser, R. M. (2002). Meritocracy, cognitive ability, and the sources of occupational success. CDE Working Paper 98-07, University of Wisconsin–Madison.
- Schmidt, F. L., & Hunter, J. (2004). General mental ability in the world of work. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86(1), 162–173.
- Harrell, T. W., & Harrell, M. S. (1945). Army General Classification Test scores for civilian occupations. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 5, 229–239.