Career Atlas USA

Best Careers for Investigative Interests

Analytical, research-driven work that solves abstract problems.

748 occupations, ranked by how strongly they match this interest type, per O*NET RIASEC data.

  1. 1Computer and Information Research Scientists$140,300
  2. 2Mathematicians$126,710
  3. 3Biochemists and Biophysicists$127,410
  4. 4Microbiologists$87,990
  5. 5Epidemiologists$87,220
  6. 6Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
  7. 7Astronomers$128,820
  8. 8Physicists$172,250
  9. 9Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$82,220
  10. 10Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$101,920
  11. 11Economists$124,720
  12. 12Neurologists$248,560
  13. 13Physicians, Pathologists$312,400
  14. 14Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$76,780
  15. 15Data Scientists$120,230
  16. 16Animal Scientists$68,940
  17. 17Cardiologists$496,010
  18. 18Anthropologists and Archeologists$70,770
  19. 19General Internal Medicine Physicians$256,560
  20. 20Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers$109,370
  21. 21Geographers$102,040
  22. 22Soil and Plant Scientists$78,850
  23. 23Chemists$91,240
  24. 24Political Scientists$142,080
  25. 25Radiologists$420,860
  26. 26Materials Scientists$117,790
  27. 27Psychiatrists$281,870
  28. 28Statisticians$105,650
  29. 29Pediatric Surgeons$559,030
  30. 30Sociologists$106,030
  31. 31Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$358,550
  32. 32Nuclear Engineers$133,970
  33. 33Dermatologists$328,730
  34. 34Hydrologists$96,600
  35. 35Computer Systems Analysts$105,850
  36. 36Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary$94,980
  37. 37Agricultural Engineers$98,590
  38. 38Operations Research Analysts$88,940
  39. 39Atmospheric and Space Scientists$99,070
  40. 40Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$300,080
  41. 41Pediatricians, General$210,040
  42. 42Survey Researchers$69,460
  43. 43Environmental Engineers$107,110
  44. 44Social Science Research Assistants$61,990
  45. 45Family Medicine Physicians$244,180
  46. 46Software Developers$135,980
  47. 47Aerospace Engineers$134,960
  48. 48Physics Teachers, Postsecondary$100,310
  49. 49Veterinarians$130,100
  50. 50Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary$99,650

Not sure which type fits you? Take the Career Interest Test →

Source: O*NET 30.3 Database, Career Interest Types (RIASEC). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Best Careers for Investigative Interests | Career Atlas USA