Twenty High Paying Jobs For Introverts

Inside every introvert is an extrovert who likes lots of solitude between doses of human interactions. We are not shy, narcissistic or selfish. On the contrary, we like people and being with them, only we prefer to pace our social and professional contact when possible.

An uninterrupted workflow or at least minimal distractions are where we thrive in the workforce.

Which jobs might offer us good opportunities to manage our need for solitude and realize our desire for excellent income potential?

An uninterrupted workflow or at least minimal distractions are where we thrive in the workforce.Click To Tweet

Introversion is a Misunderstood Frontier

Shyness is more about an underdeveloped sense of social skills and carries with it elements of apprehension, nervousness and anxiety.

Shyness, however, can afflict either introverts or extroverts. We introverts are not by nature shy, but have a more internal way of processing the world than our extrovert counterparts who are more concerned with what is happening outside themselves.

Introverts are quite sincere, honest and have no concern for fake socializing. We are unique, not following trends but instead choosing to follow our passions.

We feel energized by being alone and drained being around others too much or too often.

When introverts want to be alone, it is neither a sign of depression nor indication of narcissism, but simply means we need time to recharge.

Introverts’ Strengths and Weaknesses

One employer’s nuisance is another employer’s treasure trove of integrity.

Introverts generally are excellent self starters able to work with little to no supervision and do not play office politics.

They are comfortable with silence, good listeners preferring to weigh input of others and by-pass small talk trivialities in favor of contributing information they consider important and useful.

We prefer getting to the point so we can get back to work.

Introverts tend to communicate thoughts about concepts and ideas.

They react quickly and strongly to new stimuli yet are slow to notice changes compared to their extrovert counterparts who seem better at picking up on small differences from one situation to the next.

Here are twenty high-paying job possibilities for introverts who want rewarding careers that afford ample opportunities to regroup, recharge and renew with minimal necessary interactions that we all have to learn to manage.

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1. Meter Readers for Utilities and Electricians

Earn $44,380 – $61,160 excluding benefits.

These offer perhaps the most solitude of smart grid related occupations, as you could work alone even though others may be nearby. Technology firms, utilities and government agencies are excellent places to seek smart grid related positions.

As for solitary jobs in emerging fields related to anything we consider green, you might enjoy designing or installing solar panel systems, green roofing and other green technologies.

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2. Limnologists

Earnings are $55,100 – $71,780.

Limnology is a broad field of scientists who love the water and who specialize in studying freshwater systems and non-oceanic saltwater such as is found in salt lakes.

Within limnology, the limnologist’s area of specialization usually determines her specific occupational title. Some days you would be in an office analyzing data, in a computer lab running simulations on another, and on a rowboat taking samples of water or plant life on yet others.

Some familiar titles for limnologists are hydrologists, chemists, wildlife biologists, even college biology professors.

Whatever your specialty in science, studying freshwater systems gives introverts the best of working both indoors and outdoors in relative solitude.

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3. Polysomnographic Technologists

Average $1,961 bi-weekly, according to Payscale.com

That is about $51,000 annually depending on whether or not you are a registered technologist.

They work mostly at night observing and recording sleep study data of patients, and afterward assist in studying and translating the results to be reported to the physician.

Minimal interaction with the public is a plus here.

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4. Long Haul Truck Drivers

Earn $27,040 – $62,400.

You can get started with only a high school education or GED.

Working as a team substantially kicks up earnings, and your partner would be sleeping while you drive, so you still get good doses of solitude.

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5. Translators

Earn $30,160 – $87,464 translating documents from one language to another alone.

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6. Astronomers

Earn $24,000 – $143,000. Excellent math skills and a PhD could land you a job looking into a telescope and recording findings in a journal alone, but you may have to present your findings to an audience someday.

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7. Content Writing

Earns $34,500 – $75,000 for your writing, editing and research skills. Do this from home independently or telecommute for a company.

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8. Computer Programmers

Earn $38,700 – $97,000. Teach yourself a programming language or get a degree to learn coding and testing programs. Higher paying salaries may require a certification or two but not always if you are good at it.

Some people have taught themselves programming languages like Visual Basic or C+ in less than a few weeks, a plus if you have the aptitude and self discipline to stick with it but really don’t want to take courses.

Easily climb into six figures with mastery, certifications and expertise in private sector positions clamoring for knowledgeable, ethical introverts like us.

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9. Radiologists

Earn $45,600 – $79,700. Most radiologists interpret scans conducted by technicians without directly interacting with patients or physicians.

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10. Zoologists

Earn $33,000 – $104,000. Care for animals in settings like sanctuaries, or conduct research for drug development and environmental concerns.

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11. Elevator Mechanics

Earn $34,600 – $75,000. Spend lots of alone time installing and repairing elevators.

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12. Mathematicians

Earn $ $45,000 – $155,000. Calculate in seclusion if you have an advanced degree.

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13. Geoscientists

Earn $44,000 – $132,000. Work outdoors and pay attention to collecting information about mother nature instead of people.

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14. Actuaries

Earn $46,840 – $140,520. Crunch data to evaluate risk management mainly in the financial sector, but could work in areas of science to mitigate losses to natural events.

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15. Commercial Pilots

Earn $57,000 – $170,000. After rigorous training, you only have to interact with a select few from day to day but get to travel with perks.

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16. Ship Engineers

Earn $76,500 – $118,800. Other than liaison between the ship’s captain and shore personnel, you will be on your own.

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17. Economists

Earn $46,000 – $138,000. Study data and statistics, develop theories and deliver specialist advice in small scale meetings.

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18. Technical Writers

Earn $30,000 – $87,000. Work in an office or from home translating complex technical information into layman’s terms.

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19. Network and Computer System Administrators, Operations Research Analysts, Computer Systems Analysts, and Software Developers and Systems Software Professionals

These techies earn median salaries of $75,000 – $91,000 excluding benefits.

Working mostly indoors with computer systems the smart grid uses, there is some team interaction and consulting but mainly independent tasks.

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20. Electrical and Electronics Installation, Maintenance and Repair Occupations and Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers

Earn a median range of $65,700 – $70,000 excluding benefits.

Introverts who enjoy a more mobile work environment with hands-on tasks may find their niches installing, maintaining and repairing powerhouse, substation and relay and telecommunications equipment.

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Minimizing office socializing can mean sacrificing professional networking that is essential in advancing a career or moving up within a company. So, striking a balance is an important financial consideration if we want to be in the loops of communications about opportunity.

It’s not about sucking up. Networking is about keeping ourselves in someone’s mind when they hear of an opportunity they know we would love.

Introverts who learn to play up their strengths and strengthen their weaknesses, or at least the way they look at them, can look forward to rewarding careers with excellent pay and benefits.

High profile introverts like Bill Gates and Hillary Clinton defy stereotypes of what some consider tell-tale signs of introverts.

For the self-actualizing introvert, acquiring the skill sets needed for the job we want is never out of range as long as we honor looking inward for motivation to move forward.