Average IQ by Profession
How cognitive ability varies across career fields, based on published research and occupational assessment data.
| # | Profession | Category | Avg IQ | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicists | STEM | 133 | 125-145 |
| 2 | Mathematicians | STEM | 130 | 120-145 |
| 3 | University Professors | Academic | 125 | 118-140 |
| 4 | Software Engineers | STEM | 124 | 115-135 |
| 5 | Data Scientists | STEM | 124 | 115-138 |
| 6 | Surgeons | Medical | 122 | 115-132 |
| 7 | Judges | Legal | 122 | 115-132 |
| 8 | Economists | Social Science | 122 | 115-135 |
| 9 | Electrical Engineers | STEM | 121 | 113-132 |
| 10 | Medical Doctors | Medical | 120 | 112-130 |
| 11 | Lawyers | Legal | 120 | 112-130 |
| 12 | Chemical Engineers | STEM | 120 | 112-130 |
| 13 | Management Consultants | Business | 120 | 112-132 |
| 14 | Pharmacists | Medical | 118 | 110-128 |
| 15 | Financial Analysts | Business | 118 | 110-130 |
| 16 | Architects | Creative | 117 | 108-128 |
| 17 | Airline Pilots | Technical | 117 | 110-125 |
| 18 | Civil Engineers | STEM | 116 | 108-125 |
| 19 | Dentists | Medical | 116 | 108-125 |
| 20 | Writers and Authors | Creative | 116 | 108-128 |
| 21 | Veterinarians | Medical | 115 | 108-125 |
| 22 | Psychologists | Social Science | 114 | 106-125 |
| 23 | Journalists | Creative | 113 | 105-122 |
| 24 | Musicians (Professional) | Creative | 113 | 105-125 |
| 25 | Accountants | Business | 111 | 105-120 |
| 26 | Teachers (K-12) | Education | 110 | 103-120 |
| 27 | Nurses | Medical | 110 | 102-118 |
| 28 | Graphic Designers | Creative | 110 | 103-120 |
| 29 | Police Officers | Public Service | 104 | 96-112 |
| 30 | Electricians | Trades | 104 | 96-112 |