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People who are introverts can succeed in almost any job that interests them. Contrary to what many people might think, introverts aren’t necessarily shy, but they do like working independently or in small groups. They typically are drawn to inner thoughts and ideas versus focusing on external matters. In addition, they may prefer having some quiet time to reflect and recharge instead of a job that requires nonstop meetings.

Thankfully, there are plenty of jobs that can suit this personality type and offer a challenging and fulfilling career path. Read on to learn more about this topic.

What Makes the Ideal Job for an Introvert?

According to conventional psychology, introverts prefer to spend time with just one or two people, rather than larger groups or crowds. They’re not necessarily loners; in fact, many introverts have highly developed social skills. However, introverts tend to gravitate toward situations and environments where they feel less pressure to react or respond quickly or to engage with multiple people (say, constantly leading major team meetings).

An ideal job for an introvert may allow them to:

•   Work independently

•   Work alone or in quiet spaces that allow them to think and deploy their analytical and decision-making skills

•   Focus on one task at a time

•   Engage one-on-one (or “one on a few”) instead of in large groups

•   Leverage their empathy and creativity

What Kind of Work Does Not Fit an Introvert

As noted above, jobs that require a lot of collaboration with or presentations to large groups of people may not be a great fit for introverted people. Introverts are likely to be less comfortable with jobs that involve loads of group brainstorm sessions or that require them to regularly verbalize their thoughts and feelings to multiple people at once.


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30 Jobs for Introverts Without a Degree

Finding a rewarding job as an introvert means finding a career that suits your interests and caters to your inner-directed personality type, as described above.

Here are 30 jobs that can be a great match for introverts, with salary information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

1. Web Developer or Digital Designer

•   2023 Median Salary: $92,750

•   Primary Duties: This career is all about the design, coding, and development of websites for optimal performance and user experience. This could be a job where an introvert works solo all day, or it might involve small team collaborations. With its union of creativity and analytical insights, web development can be a great option for introverts.

2. Farmer or Rancher

•   2023 Median Salary: $83,770

•   Primary Duties: The image of farmers and ranchers working solo in wide open spaces is iconic. While that can be true, this career may involve some interaction with others on a work team. Primary duties are overseeing the production of crops, livestock, and dairy products.

3. Psychologist

•   2023 Median Salary: $92,740

•   Primary Duties: Psychologists can work in a variety of settings, from a medical center to private practice, but the field involves assessing and supporting cognitive and emotional wellness. This can be a very rewarding career for introverts who want to channel their empathy and social skills.

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4. Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter

•   2023 Median Salary: $61,550

•   Primary Duties: This career is all about installing and repairing pipe fixtures. There aren’t many meetings, nor lots of large-group interactions. Introverts can enjoy the focus and problem-solving this job demands.

5. Postal Service Worker

•   2023 Median Salary: $56,510

•   Primary Duties: Typically, this work involves collecting, sorting, and delivering mail to businesses and private residences or else helping post office customers. It can give introverts the opportunity to work alone or have small-scale interactions.

6. Social Worker

•   2023 Median Salary: $58,380

•   Primary Duties: Social workers help people resolve problems in their lives. Introverts who are empathetic listeners, enjoy helping others, and find lots of one-on-one interaction satisfying will likely enjoy social work.

7. HVAC Technician

•   2023 Median Salary: $57,300

•   Primary Duties: This job requires workers to assemble and repair heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. It can suit the mechanically inclined and those who like to be immersed in hands-on problem solving.

8. Environmental Scientist

•   2023 Median Salary: $78,980

•   Primary Duties: In this job, a person uses their knowledge of nature to improve the environment and human health. It can involve time in the outdoors and the lab, with opportunities to focus on and interpret research data.

9. Delivery Truck Driver

•   2023 Median Salary: $39,950

•   Primary Duties: For those who like lots of solo time and the feeling of being on the open road, being a delivery truck driver can be a dream job. Duties involve the pickup, transport, and delivery of packages or goods from one location to another.

10. Writer or Author

•   2023 Median Salary: $73,690

•   Primary Duties: Writing is a diverse career, ranging from writing fiction books to completing technical writing for manufacturers. It can allow an introvert to explore a particular passion of theirs in print and often involves a good amount of independent work.

11. Librarian

•   2023 Median Salary: $64,370

•   Primary Duties: This can be a fulfilling career for introverts; most interactions involve collaborating with individuals seeking help with research. Plus, it taps both creativity and problem-solving skills and usually has a not too frenetic pace. Bonus: Librarians tend to work in very quiet environments.

12. Physician

•   2023 Median Salary: $236,000

•   Primary Duties: This demanding career requires a high level of training. With a salary well into the six figures, this is one of the highest paying jobs on our list. It offers the rewarding work of interacting one-on-one with patients and other members of a medical team to help people achieve optimal health and to treat illnesses.

13. Roofer

•   2023 Median Salary: $50,030

•   Primary Duties: For introverts who value independence and enjoy problem solving, being a roofer can be a good fit. Most of the workday is spent replacing, repairing, and installing roofs on buildings and houses. Working remotely is not an option.

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14. Surveying and Mapping Technician

•   2023 Median Salary: $48,940

•   Primary Duties: Collecting data and taking land measurements in order to create maps of the Earth’s surface is a unique job, melding creative and analytical pursuits. It’s unlikely to involve many large meetings and can give introverts the “think time” they love.

15. Mechanic

•   2023 Median Salary: $51,940

•   Primary Duties: This job can be a good fit for those who like to work with their hands and problem-solve with a small team as they troubleshoot and repair automobiles and other forms of transportation.

16. Bookkeeper

•   2023 Median Salary: $47,440

•   Primary Duties: Love a good spreadsheet and balancing finances? Being a bookkeeper can provide satisfying work for those who enjoy working with numbers. The role also has potential as a work-at-home job for retirees.

17. Interpreter or Translator

•   2023 Median Salary: $57,090

•   Primary Duties: Provided one has deep knowledge of a foreign language, this can be a solid job for introverts, collaborating one-on-one or in small groups to convert one language into another. Some jobs may strictly involve texts versus in-person interaction.

18. Software Quality Assurance Analyst or Tester

•   2023 Median Salary: $101,800

•   Primary Duties: Techies, this one is for you: This path typically involves testing software to identify and debug problems or to learn how the software works. This can offer plenty of focused work time.

19. Marketing Manager

•   2023 Median Salary: $156,580

•   Primary Duties: This potentially high-earning career focuses on managing outreach to build a business or a brand. This can tap an introvert’s creativity and analytical skills. Small team meetings and travel to meet with clients may be part of the job.

20. Photographer

•   2023 Median Salary: $40,760

•   Primary Duties: Photographers produce, shoot, and potentially edit (hello, Photoshop!) images for personal or professional use. It’s a highly creative pursuit that may suit an introvert’s personality type.

21. Proofreader

•   2023 Median Salary: $48,790

•   Primary Duties: This can be a satisfying job, tapping an introvert’s analytical abilities and giving them space to think as they read content and correct spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Proofreading is usually a quiet, somewhat solitary profession.

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22. Landscaper

•   2023 Median Salary: $37,360

•   Primary Duties: There’s not too much large group interaction if you’re a landscaper. Workdays are spent maintaining outdoor grounds by mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, raking, and other methods.

23. Physician Assistant (PA)

•   2023 Median Salary: $130,020

•   Primary Duties: Assisting both physicians and patients can put an introvert’s empathy and technical know-how to good use. It does require specialized training: A PA is one step below doctor and a step above nurse — similar to a nurse practitioner.

24. Animal Trainer

•   2023 Median Salary: $44,910

•   Primary Duties: Dog, horse, and other animal lovers may find this to be an ideal career, with time spent teaching animals obedience and staying calm, and assisting people.

25. Medical Transcriptionist

•   2023 Median Salary: $37,060

•   Primary Duties: Medical transcriptionists, as the name indicates, transcribe voice recordings from physicians and nurses and convert them into written reports. This can provide a career with plenty of “quiet time” for detail-oriented introverts.

26. Floral Designer

•   2023 Median Salary: $34,690

•   Primary Duties: A floral designer can spend their days arranging decorative displays using live, dried, or silk flowers, which can be a creative endeavor without too many big meetings.

27. Data Scientist

•   2023 Median Salary: $108,020

•   Primary Duties: Data scientists deploy analytical tools and techniques to pull valuable insights from data. This is a growing field in today’s digitized world.

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28. Teacher

•   2023 Median Salary: $64,390

•   Primary Duties: Teachers and instructors are responsible for helping students of different ages learn various topics and skills. The job may tap an introvert’s empathy, and it may involve small meetings with students or their parents. Bonus: Teaching can be one of those jobs that pay off student loans through the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

29. Hand Sewer

•   2023 Media Salary: $32,240

•   Primary Duties: Technically speaking, this job is about sewing and finishing items with needle and thread. It can suit craft-oriented, creative, and independent workers who like the mental space it provides.

30. Accountant

•   2023 Mean Salary: $79,880

•   Primary Duties: An accountant prepares or reviews financial records, tapping their analytical skills. This career can incorporate interactions with individual clients or businesses, which may suit introverts well.

Recommended: 25 Best Jobs for Extroverts That Pay Well

The Takeaway

There are many challenging and satisfying jobs that can suit introverts, from writer to data scientist to physician. In fact, many high-paying and rewarding jobs are well-suited to the personality traits of an introverted person.
Introvert or not, everyone can benefit from better budget planning and tools that give you back control of your finances.

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FAQ

What are good jobs for introverts?

There are many jobs that suit introverts well and leverage their empathy, creativity, and analytical skills. These can include being a research librarian, physician, or landscaper, among other careers.

Is self-employment good for introverts with anxiety?

Self-employment can be a good fit for introverts who experience anxiety working with large teams or with multiple people. However, self-employment can also create stress if it requires you to find your own clients or manage a large workload on your own.

What is a good job for someone with introverted qualities?

Jobs that allow you to work independently and in quiet environments at least some of the time are generally better for introverts, as are those that involve one-on-one interaction versus large group meetings.

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By saving and investing for retirement, you are working toward financial freedom — a goal worthy of your time and effort.

As you may know, there are benefits to using an account designed specifically for retirement, such as a 401(k) plan or Roth IRA.

For instance, some company retirement programs may offer an employer match. Second, these accounts are designed to hold investments over time so that investors can potentially earn compound returns.

Retirement accounts also have tax advantages. Because these accounts have special tax treatment, there’s a limit to how much money the IRS allows individuals to contribute to each of them in a given year.

These retirement contribution limits vary depending on the type of account you have. For example, 401(k) contribution limits are different from IRA contribution limits.

To build a successful long-term financial plan, you’ll likely want a solid understanding of your retirement plan options. Below is a summary of some different types of retirement accounts and their respective annual retirement contribution limits.

What Are Retirement Contribution Limits?

Ever heard someone say that they have “maxed out” their retirement account? Maxing out means contributing the total amount allowed by the IRS in a given year.

Generally, the IRS increases retirement contribution limits every few years as the cost of living increases. Many of the 2025 and 2026 contribution limits were increased from the previous year.

There are a lot of different types of retirement accounts, and each comes with its own nuances, which can make it hard to keep them straight.

This list of the account types, along with their contribution limits, will help you keep track.

401(k) Contribution Limits

A 401(k) plan is a tax-deferred retirement account that is typically offered through a person’s employer, usually as part of a benefits package. With a 401(k) plan, the employee can opt to have a certain percentage of their salary withheld from their paycheck on a pretax basis.

Individual 401(k) plans — also known as solo 401(k) plans — are available to people who are self-employed and have an employee identification number (EIN).

2025 Employee contribution limit: $23,500

2026 Employee contribution limit: $24,500

Plans may allow for catch-up contributions for employees ages 50 and over.

2025 Catch-up contribution limit: $7,500

2026 Catch-up contribution limit: $8,000

In 2025 and 2026, those aged 60 to 63 may contribute up to an additional $11,250 instead of $7,500 and $8,000, thanks to SECURE 2.0.

Some employers may offer a company match in their 401(k) plans. A typical match would see employers match around 3% of an employee’s salary when that employee contributes 6% to the plan. The company match plan is determined by the employer.

Employer contributions to a 401(k) do not count toward the employee’s contribution limits. But instead of putting a cap on how much the employer alone can contribute, there’s a total contribution limit that includes both the employer and employee contributions.

2025 Total employer plus employee contribution limit: The lesser of 100% of the employee’s compensation or $70,000 — if the employee is eligible for the catch-up contribution, then it would be $77,500. (If the employee is eligible for the Secure 2.0 catch-up contribution, then it would be $81,250.)

2026 Total employer plus employee contribution limit: The lesser of 100% of the employee’s compensation or $72,000 — if the employee is eligible for the catch-up contribution, then it would be $80,000. (If the employee is eligible for the Secure 2.0 catch-up contribution, then it would be $83,250.)

403(b) Contribution Limits

A 403(b) plan is similar to a 401(k) but is offered to employees of public schools, nonprofit hospital workers, tax-exempt organizations, and certain ministers.

2025 Employee contribution limit: $23,500

2026 Employee contribution limit: $24,500

2025 Catch-up contribution limit: $7,500

2026 Catch-up contribution limit: $8,000

Catch-up contributions are for employees aged 50 and older. In 2025 and 2026, those aged 60 to 63 may contribute an additional $11,250 instead of $7,500 and $8,000, thanks to SECURE 2.0.

Employees of any age who have been in service for 15 or more years with the same eligible 403(b) employer can potentially contribute another $3,000. There is a $15,000 lifetime limit for the latter catch-up provision. It may be possible to qualify for both catch-up provisions; if you think you qualify, check with the plan or your CPA to be sure.

2025 Total employer plus employee contribution limit: The lesser of 100% of the employee’s compensation or $70,000 — if the employee is eligible for the catch-up contribution, then it would be $77,500. (If the employee is eligible for the Secure 2.0 catch-up contribution, then it would be $81,250.)

2026 Total employer plus employee contribution limit: The lesser of 100% of the employee’s compensation or $72,000 — if the employee is eligible for the catch-up contribution, then it would be $80,000. (If the employee is eligible for the Secure 2.0 catch-up contribution, then it would be $83,250.)

It is important to keep in mind that some 403(b) plans have mandatory employee contributions. These mandatory contributions are made by the employee, but since you do not have a choice they do not count towards the employee contribution limit. If you are part of a plan like this you might actually be able to contribute your annual contribution maximum plus the mandatory contributions.

457(b) Contribution Limits

A 457(b) plan is similar to a 401(k) plan but for governmental and certain nonprofit employees. Unlike a 401(k), there is only one contribution limit for both employer and employee.

2025 Total employer plus employee contribution: $23,500

2026 Total employer plus employee contribution: $24,500

Those in government plans who are 50 or older, may be able to make a catch-up contribution of up to $7,500 in 2025 and $8,000 in 2026; those ages 60 to 63 may be able to take the special SECURE 2.0 contribution of up to $11,250 for those years instead. (Those in non-governmental plans do not have the option of catch-up contributions.)

If permitted by the plan, a participant who is within three years of the normal retirement age may contribute the lesser of twice the annual limit or the standard annual limit plus the amount of the limit not used in prior years.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Contribution Limits

A TSP is similar to a 401(k), but for federal employees and members of the military.

2025 Employee contribution limit: $23,500

2026 Employee contribution limit: $24,500

Tax-free combat zone contributions: Military members serving in tax-free combat zones are allowed to make the full $70,000 in employee contributions for 2025, and $72,000 in 2026.

2025 Catch-up contribution limit: $7,500 (or a SECURE 2.0 contribution limit of $11,250 for those ages 60 to 63)

2026 Catch-up contribution limit: $8,000 (or a SECURE 2.0 contribution limit of $11,250 for those ages 60 to 63)

According to the “spillover” method for TSP catch-up contributions, for those eligible to make catch-up contributions, any contributions made that exceed the annual employee contribution limit will automatically count toward the catch-up contribution limit of $7,500 in 2025 and $8,000 in 2026.

Traditional IRA Contribution Limits

The traditional IRA (individual retirement account is a tax-deferred account that is set up by the individual. Unlike workplace retirement plans, IRA accounts tend to have lower contribution limits. These contribution limits are combined totals for all the traditional or Roth IRAs an individual may have .

2025 Contribution limit: $7,000

2026 Contribution limit: $7,500

2025 Catch-up contribution limit: $1,000 (for a total of $8,000 for those age 50 or over)

2026 Catch-up contribution limit: $1,100 (for a total of $8,600 for those age 50 or older)

Additionally, there are income limits for tax deductions on contributions that vary based on whether or not you are covered by a retirement plan at work.

Calculate your IRA contributions.

Use SoFi’s IRA contribution calculator to determine how much you can contribute to an IRA in 2024.

Roth IRA Contribution Limits

Similar to a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA is set up by the individual.

Unlike tax-deferred retirement accounts, Roth IRA contributions are not tax deductible. However, you will not need to pay income taxes on qualified withdrawals. Again, these contribution limits are combined totals for the traditional and Roth IRAs an individual may have.

2025 Contribution limit: $7,000

2026 Contribution limit: $7,500

2025 Catch-up contribution limit: $1,000 (for a total of $8,000 for those age 50 or over)

2026 Catch-up contribution limit: $1,100 (for a total of $8,600 for those age 50 or older)

There are income limitations for who is able to use a Roth IRA. These limits exist on a phase-out schedule and ability to use a plan slowly tapers off until the final income cap.

Single-filer income limit: Under $165,000 for tax year 2025, and under $168,000 for tax year 2026.

Married, filing jointly income limit: under $246,000 for tax year 2025, and under $252,000 for tax year 2026.

💡 Quick Tip: Did you know that you can choose the investments in a self-directed IRA? Once you open a new IRA online and start saving, you get to decide which mutual funds, ETFs, or other investments you want — it’s totally up to you.

SEP IRA Contribution Limits

A simplified employee pension simplified employee pension (SEP) IRA is a tax-deferred retirement account for employers and self-employed individuals.

2025 Contribution limit: An employer’s contributions to an employee’s SEP IRA can’t exceed the lesser of 25% of the employee’s compensation or $70,000.

2026 Contribution limit: An employer’s contributions to an employee’s SEP IRA can’t exceed the lesser of 25% of the employee’s compensation or $72,000.

Catch-up contributions are not permitted in SEP plans.

SIMPLE IRA

A savings incentive match plan for employees [SIMPLE) IRA is a retirement savings plan for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees.

2025 Employee contribution limit: $16,500

2026 Employee contribution limit: $17,000

2025 Catch-up contribution limit: $3,500 for those age 50 and older

2026 Catch-up contribution limit: $4,000 for those age 50 and older

In 2025, those aged 60 to 63 may contribute up to an additional $5,250 instead of $3,500, due to SECURE 2.0. And in 2026, those aged 60 to 63 may contribute up to an additional $5,250 instead of $4,000.

Employer contribution limit: The employer is generally required to make up to 3% of employee contribution, or 2% of employee compensation up to $350,000 in 2025 and up to $360,000 in 2026.

Also, under a SECURE Act 2.0 provision, an employer can make an additional non-elective contribution which is the lesser of 10% of compensation or $5,000 per employee.

Maxing Out Your Retirement Contributions

If you have a 401(k), you would need to contribute $1,958.33 each month to reach the $23,500 limit for 2025 and $2,041.66 each month to reach the $24,500 limit for 2026. With IRAs, that number is $583.33 per month to reach the annual $7,000 contribution limit for 2025 and $625 each month to reach the annual contribution limit of $7,500 in 2026.

When you make pre-tax contributions to a tax-deferred account such as a 401(k), the money is entering into the account before taxes. Therefore, the difference in your post-tax paycheck might not be as drastic as you may think.

There are several tactics you can take when working to increase how much you’re contributing to your retirement plan.

But whether you increase your contribution each month, quarter, or year, you may want to consider automating the saving process. Automation removes human emotion from the equation, which may help you save.

You may also want to try to avoid massive lifestyle creep as your income increases over the years. It’s a balance to take care of both your current situation and your future situation. When you get raises or bonuses, consider allocating those funds to your retirement instead of a material purchase.

The most successful savers will likely have a strategy that focuses on earning more and cutting costs.

Opening Your Own Retirement Account

If you have a retirement account through work, contributions are taken directly from your paycheck and you can take advantage of a company match program if it’s offered.

For those without a workplace retirement plan, getting set up with an account may take slightly more initiative. Luckily, opening an account doesn’t have to be hard. An account like a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, or Solo 401(k), or a general investment account, can be set up at a brokerage firm of your choosing.

Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).