Percentage of 16 personality types

What is the Most Common and Rarest Personality Type?

Human motivations vary from one psychological type to the other, but how often can these types be found in the general population? Many people are curious about which personality types are more common (or rare) than others – and want to know where their type falls on that scale. Below, you will find the estimated frequencies of each of the personality types (sorted per temperament) by total population and by gender.

Take our Free Personality Test to learn your personality type. This is the ultimate personality profile test, with more than 20 pages of results about you.

How rare or common are each of the 16 different personality types? Where do you fall on the scale? Does gender change the frequency of personality types? You will find the results that answer these questions on this page.

Page Contents

The Percentages of the 16 Personalities
- Personality Type Percentages
  - SJ Population Statistics
  - SP Population Statistics
  - NT Population Statistics
  - NF Population Statistics
- Personality Type Percentages by Gender
- Rarest Personality Type
  - Rarest Male Personality Type
  - Rarest Female Personality Type
  - Other Rare Personality Types
- Most Common Personality Type

It should come as no surprise that the data on how 16 Briggs personality types are distributed is already well established. It is derived from data from the 16 Personalities Foundation themselves and, in the following article, you will see the curated statistics regarding each type in the United States’ population. For ease of reading, each batch of four personality types is categorized according to the temperament it belongs under. The discovery that these “batches” share similarities among each other, based on their personality preference, can be attributed to David Keirsey, Ph.D, a renowned clinical psychologist, author and professor at California State University, Fullerton.

Before we begin, as a reminder, here are what the personality type letters stand for:

Extraversion vs. Introversion (E and I)
Sensing vs. Intuition (S and N)
Thinking vs. Feeling (T and F)
Judging vs. Perceiving (J and P)

As you will see below, people who have the Sensing type, the Feeling type and the Judging type are more frequent than those with the Intuition type, the Thinking type and the Perceiving type. Down below you will find the distribution for the rest of the personality traits. Interestingly enough, both the Introvert and Extrovert nature is evenly distributed across the collected data.

In each section, we have also included our own statistics, according to our own data. Our personality type percentages are our own personality type statistics drawn from the 6 million people who have taken our test.

Personality Type Percentages

Before we dive in deep, here’s a brief overview of what the type preference distribution looks like, as well as the frequency of each personality type.

This data is taken from the 16 Personalities Institute:

Extroverted: 49.3%
Introverted: 50.7%
Sensing: 73.3%
Intuition: 26.7%
Thinking: 40.2%
Feeling: 59.8%
Judging: 54.1%
Perceiving: 45.9%

This table shows the percentages for different personality types.

Personality Type	16 Personalities Percentage
INTJ	2. 1%
INTP	3.3%
ENTJ	1.8%
ENTP	3.2%
INFJ	1.5%
INFP	4.4%
ENFJ	2.5%
ENFP	8.1%
ISTJ	11.6%
ISFJ	13.8%
ESTJ	8.7%
ESFJ	12%
ISTP	5.4%
ISFP	8.8%
ESTP	4.3%
ESFP	8.5%

SJ Population Statistics

SJ temperament personality types (also known as Protectors) are observant, stable and motivated to keep their lives and those of their loved ones secure. They are reliable, diligent and disciplined, often making excellent leaders.

This table shows the personality type percentages for SJ temperaments:

SJ Temperament Type	16 Personalities Statistics	pMax Statistics
ESTJ	8.7%	4.5%
ESFJ	12%	2.3%
ISTJ	11.6%	8.6%
ISFJ	13.8%	2.8%

TOTAL: 46.1%

SP Population Statistics

SP temperament personality types (also known as Creators) are experimental and primarily driven by sensation. They are very flexible, aesthetically aware and “here and now” type of people.

This table shows the personality type percentages for SP temperaments:

SP Temperament Type	16 Personalities Statistics	pMax Statistics
ESTP	4. 3%	3.2%
ESFP	8.5%	2.9%
ISTP	5.4%	5.1%
ISFP	8.8%	2.8%

TOTAL: 27%

NT Population Statistics

NT temperament personality types (also known as Intellectuals) are introspective, logical and on a constant quest for knowledge. They are abstract, theoretical and technically adept.

This table shows the personality type percentages for NT temperaments:

NT Temperament Type	16 Personalities Statistics	pMax Statistics
ENTJ	1.8%	4%
ENTP	3.2%	6.6%
INTJ	2.1%	7.8%
INTP	3.3%	11.9%

TOTAL: 10.4%

NF Population Statistics

NF temperament personality types (also known as Visionaries) are introspective and intuitive types, who are also highly idealistic. They are compassionate, with a desire to contribute goodness and meaning into the world.

This table shows the personality type percentages for NF temperaments:

NF Temperament Type	16 Personalities Statistics	pMax Statistics
ENFJ	2.5%	2.9%
ENFP	8.1%	11%
INFJ	1.5%	4.2%
INFP	4.4%	19.4%

TOTAL: 16.5%

Personality Type Percentages by Gender

Of course, there are some personality differences in the distribution of personality types by gender. Some types have more male representation as opposed to female and vice versa. Sadly, the 16 Personalities Institute doesn’t provide information on this, so we had to use our own data to present the findings.

To supplement our data, we have also turned to another well-known and authoritative study on gender differences and stereotypes. This normative study was conducted in 1996 by Allen Hammer and Wayne Mitchell, and is titled “The Distribution of Personality Types In General Population.” It surveyed 1267 adults on a number of different demographic factors. One of these factors was gender, and its findings can be used to show certain gender trends in temperament preferences in males and females.

Below you will find what we (and they) discovered. This table shows the average distributions of the 16 different personality types by gender.

	TOTAL	MALE	FEMALE
INTJ	2.1%	3.3%	0.9%
INTP	3.3%	4.8%	1.7%
ENTJ	1.8%	2.7%	0.9%
ENTP	3.2%	4.0%	2.4%
INFJ	1. 5%	1.2%	1.6%
INFP	4.4%	4.1%	4.6%
ENFJ	2.5%	1.6%	3.3%
ENFP	8.1%	6.4%	9.7%
ISTJ	11.6%	16.4%	6.9%
ISFJ	13.8%	8.1%	19.4%
ESTJ	8.7%	11.2%	6.3%
ESFJ	12%	7.5%	16.9%
ISTP	5.4%	8.5%	2.3%
ISFP	8.8%	7.6%	9.9%
ESTP	4.3%	5.6%	3.0%
ESFP	8.5%	6.9%	10.1%

Rarest Personality Type

Again, according to the 16 Personalities institute, the INFJ personality type is the world’s rarest personality type. This makes sense as this type has Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling and Judging preferences — which makes them quiet and sheltered people, that are very much in tune with people’s feelings. If a person has this combination of preferences, it’s easy to understand why they would prefer to blend in with their environment, rather than stand out, as they are an introvert. There might be more people that share the INFJ personality traits out there – they just may not like to make themselves known to the world.

According to our data, the rarest personality type is ESFJ. A person with this personality type is caring, supportive and is concerned for everyone’s well being and happiness. According to the official 16 personalities data, the ESFJ personality type makes up for 12% of the US population. This difference in statistics may be due to difference in sample size (PMax sampled 6 million people), difference in demographics (PMax has test respondents from different countries, not only from the Unites States) and the fact that people from a certain personality type are more prone to answer surveys, such as the 16 personalities test, compared to others.

Rarest Male Personality Type

Our data shows that the rarest male personality type is INFJ. INFJ men make up only about 0.5% of the total males tested. They are introverted, feeling, gentle and idealistic, but still capable of making decisions and carrying on with their goals. They aren’t static spectators — their belief that good and love will save the world compels them to act. Their superior understanding of people’s emotions makes them very empathic and easy to connect to.

Male Temperament Preferences

According to the Hammer-Mitchell study, 68.6% of men have Thinking personality preferences compared to 38.8% of women. This can explain why INFJ is the rarest type among men. This does not mean that men don’t show any Feeling nature — it simply means that a man, as a stereotype, is more likely to be a Thinking type. It also means that men use the Thinking trait more when it comes to decision-making processes. Even if they are more prone to relying on this preference, it is important to know in which situations it’s important to tune into their Feeling nature. This is a skill worth training.

Rarest Female Personality Type

Our data shows that the rarest female personality type is INTJ. Female INTJs also make up about 0.5% of the total females tested. These ambitious, introverted and bold people are unbothered by the general opinion of the masses and are not afraid to pursue their own philosophy of life. Their strategic nature compels them to avoid the spotlight and to work from the shadows. This is why they can often be seen alone — but they don’t mind this at all. For them, every move they make in life is carefully considered and planned in advance.

Female Temperament Preferences

Similarly to the above statistic, the Hammer-Mitchell study found that 61.2% of women prefer Feeling compared to 31.4% of men. This can explain why a female INTJ is in fact a rare personality type. Again, this does not mean that women are oblivious to the Thinking personality trait, but rather that they have a different type of personality characteristics. A worthy analogy is that we all have two hands, but we might prefer our right one to do things with, rather than our left one. Or we might throw a ball with our right hand but catch it with our left, and vice versa. Again, when it comes to situations that demand a certain decision to be made, it is important to know which preference should take precedence — be it following your gut feeling or what common sense tells you. This is a skill that can be trained through a number of different techniques — emotional intelligence being one, for example.

Other Rare Personality Types

With INFJ being the rarest personality type, what are some other rare personality types? Here are the top 5 of the rarest personalities according to the 16 Personalities Institute:

INFJ: 1.5%
ENTJ: 1.8%
INTJ: 2.1%
ENTP: 3.2%
INTP: 3.3%

Most Common Personality Type

The most common personality type according to the 16 Personalities Institute is ISFJ, the Defender. This type makes up 13.8% of the US population. This is also not surprising, as they are very logical and traditional people — there is a very big chance you know someone like that in your surroundings. They can be often found in institutions where procedures are key — administration, for example. This personality type is predominantly female — it has only 29% male representation.

According to our data, the most common personality type is INFP. This perceiving type is shy, quiet, feeling and might seem secluded. However, from the inside these people are empathetic, harmonious and maintain rich inner workings. Perhaps the reason why our statistics found that this is the most common personality type is because INFPs are more prone to want to learn more about themselves, hence are more likely to take personality tests such as ours.

Other Common Personality Types

With ISFJ being the most common personality type, what are some other common personality types? Here are the top 5 most common personality types according to the 16 Personalities Institute:

ISFJ: 13. 8%
ESFJ: 12.3%
ISTJ: 11.6%
ISFP: 8.8%
ESTJ: 8.7%

Best Career Matches for Each Personality Type

Have you ever wondered what the best career match is for each of the personalities? What type of workers are SJ Temperament types, or NT ones? Listed below are satisfying careers for each of the 16 personality types.

Take our Free Personality Test to learn your personality type and get career matches specific to your personal results.

Page Contents

SJ Career Matches (Pragmatists)
SP Career Matches (Originators)
NT Career Matches (Analyzers)
NF Career Matches (Empaths)

SJ Career Matches (Pragmatists)

SJ personality types (people who possess the Sensing and Judging preferences) are unmatched when it comes to practical problem-solving, organization, and structure. They are highly reliable people who don’t let go of a task until they finish it. Their decision-making process is based primarily on objective facts and logic, and they are very results-oriented. SJ types prefer clear definition in their activities and value structure in the way they work and spend their time.

ESTJ Career Matches (The Administrator)

An ESTJ, or The Administrator, often ends up being the person in charge, and this is perfect for them, since they wouldn’t have it any other way. They are also sometimes nicknamed The Overseer, so taking charge of situations and guiding others in pursuit of common goals comes naturally to them. What’s more, they often climb very high up the ladder in any sphere. The fact that at least ten U.S. presidents, including Andrew Jackson and Harry S. Truman, are believed to have been ESTJs is a testament to the abilities of this personality type.

These are people who are able to make quick, informed, and logical decisions. In their work, they like to deal with real-world problems rather than abstract or philosophical matters. This is why it should come to no surprise that they often tackle issues head on, without hesitation or emotional constraints. ESTJs have the ability to quickly assess situations and take necessary action for the best possible result. Most of the time, they won’t rest until they have completed the task at hand.

Here are several career matches that fit ESTJs’ personality traits:

Accountant
Senior Manager
Auditor
Military Officer
Banker
Financial Officer
Government Worker
Engineer
Police Officer
Business Administrator
Business Analyst
Computer Specialist
Detective
Scientist
Judge
Insurance Agent
Economist
Teacher
Editor
Technical Specialist
Nursing Administrator
Underwriter
Professor
Lecturer
Manager
Librarian
Researcher

ESFJ Career Matches (The Caregiver)

Out of all the personality types, ESFJs are among the most dedicated when it comes to their duties. Loyal and decisive, they have a results-oriented mindset, and they’re go-getters who plan meticulously and then take action. Their easy warmth, attentiveness, and enthusiasm serve them well in professional settings – they’re nicknamed The Caregiver for a reason. ESFJs are consistently mindful of others’ feelings, balancing pragmatism with compassion. It’s essential for them to have clear roles and guidelines in their work environment so they can perform at their best.

ESFJs are likely to be attracted to people-facing roles where they can make meaningful human connections. Solitary roles leave them feeling restless – they would rather work alongside a team that they can interact with throughout the day. Emotional feedback is crucial for them, and they want to feel affirmed and validated. When they visibly help others flourish, ESFJs become more driven than ever.

Here are several career matches that fit ESFJs:

Accountant
Bookkeeper
Childcare Worker
Church Worker
Human Resources
Counselor
Family Doctor
Homemaker
Nurse
Teacher
Social Worker
Office Manager
Administrator
Speech Pathologist
Organization Leader
Receptionist

ISTJ Career Matches (The Archivist)

The Archivist is dependable and meticulous in any area of their lives, and work is no exception. ISTJ people take their responsibilities and deadlines very seriously, which is why they quickly establish themselves as rigorous and punctual workers. They are able to work independently (and in fact prefer it over working in a team) and take a systematic approach to their tasks. ISTJs thrive in a stable working environment, where there are little to no unexpected surprises.

If they have to work in a team, ISTJs appreciate collaborating with like-minded individuals. They work especially well when there is a clear hierarchy that tells the people in the group where they stand, so they can act accordingly. An ideal job for ISTJs is one that allows them to solve their problems in an orderly and logical way. These introverted types value a quiet and structured environment, with ample rules and regulations to guide them through the work process.

Here are several career matches that fit ISTJs:

Accountant
Military Officer
Police Officer
Administrator
Auditor
Medical Doctor
Dentist
Financial Officer
Detective
Scientist
Math Teacher
Lawyer/Attorney
Judge
Manager
Computer Programmer
Computer Specialist
Librarian
Executive
Steelworker
Electrician
Mechanical Engineer
Systems Analyst
Technical Specialist
Technician

ISFJ Career Matches (The Defender)

ISFJs love to help others out, which is why they will typically lean toward careers that involve service or caretaking. Nicknamed The Defender, they strongly believe that society should function in a certain way. And as fierce defenders of tradition, they also believe that there is a strict and specific path to follow when one wants to help others. ISFJs are the type of people who probably originated the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. However, this way of thinking can be limiting, especially in a world that is always advancing towards new technologies and methodologies. The ISFJ’s adherence to tradition isn’t their only potential obstacle, however; sometimes, in their altruism, they can get so caught up in helping others that they can forget to take care of themselves.

Nevertheless, the perfect career for an ISFJ must be built around their strengths. They are committed, hardworking, supportive, patient, and extremely reliable people. With this impressive list of personality traits, they can be the ideal employee in positions that require cool-minded people who can keep their calm and stick to the plan, even in an emergency or high-pressure scenario.

Here are several career matches that fit ISFJs:

Administrator
Career Counselor
Childcare Worker
Police Officer
Church Worker
Clerical Supervisor
Counselor
Medical Doctor
Social Worker
Actor/Actress
Counselor
Human Resources
Medical Technologist
Office Manager
Shopkeeper
Researcher
Scientist
Senior Manager
Early Childhood Development
Librarian
Nurse
Auditor
Bookkeeper
Business Analyst
Health Service
Homemaker
Writer
Military
Accountant
Administrative Assistant

SP Career Matches (Originators)

SP personality types are spontaneous and flexible; they love their freedom. They aren’t particularly suited for dealing with data or routine, mundane activities. Originators thrive on unexpected circumstances and flourish in jobs in which no two days are ever the same. Since they are also very pragmatic and objective about the world around them, SP personality types are natural problem-solvers.

ESTP Career Matches (The Daredevil)

ESTPs are as extroverted as extroverts can get. They enjoy working in teams and do their best to keep the atmosphere light and friendly. They tend to be flexible and open-minded, which can be a valuable asset in crises that demand instant solutions. On the other hand, this tendency to do things their own way, accompanied by their brutally honest, often demanding communication style may lead them into conflicts with co-workers who prefer to stick to detailed plans. Overall, ESTPs are likely to shine in the workplace with their numerous skills. They are charming and sociable coworkers, cracking jokes wherever they go.

The Daredevil thrives in fast-paced, ever-changing environments. As a bold and daring risk taker, they can get bored very quickly, which is why they require some extra diversity when it comes to their work. Even a tense, demanding, or competitive environment will bring out the best qualities in an ESTP.

Here are several career matches that fit ESTPs:

Carpenter
Craftsman
Paramedic/EMT
Police Officer
Detective
Driver
Firefighter
Military Service Member
Farmer
Comedian
IT Support
Entrepreneur
Marketer
Project Manager
Computer Technician
Sales Agent

ESFP Career Matches (The Entertainer)

As an extrovert who enjoys being among people and participating in diverse activities, an ESFP will prefer working in a team over working in isolation. Any career that involves active work with others is very well-suited for them. The Entertainer personality is worthy of their name – they can effortlessly captivate any group of people and tend to be very likable. They may not be fully task-oriented, but as highly perceptive types, they will be aware of the needs of those around them. What’s more, they are often willing to go above and beyond to fulfill those needs.

Jobs that involve little to no human contact or careers that are solely focused on data and hard, logical decisions will never fully engage an Entertainer. Even if ESFPs pick up a job in a technical field, they are likely to burn out or desire a change after a while. Schedules and strict structure, combined with mundane, repetitive activities, will also have ESFPs running for dear life.

Even so, there are plenty of suitable careers for this personality type. Here’s a few:

Athlete
Artist
Actor/Actress
Coach
Fashion Designer
Entrepreneur
Social Worker
Recreation Worker
Comedian
Interior Decorator
Marketer
Musician
Painter
Performer
Photographer
Public Relations
Receptionist
Supervisor
Broadcaster/Newscaster
Pediatrician
Singer
Nurse
Manager
Sales Agent
Teacher
Journalist
Shopkeeper
Animal Trainer
Firefighter
Dancer
Public Speaker
Events Coordinator

ISTP Career Matches (The Tinkerer)

There’s no one who appreciates their freedom more than the energetic ISTP. These born problem-solvers can’t bear to be confined in an office or any environment that forces them to follow a set structure. They are people who like to leave their individual mark on everything they do, which is why they often try to make their own way in the world. The Tinkerer is incredibly curious, fascinated with the workings of the outside world. They don’t mind getting their hands dirty, and in fact, they prefer it that way. If you leave them to it, The Tinkerer can assemble and disassemble things all day long, living up to their name.

The perfect job for an ISTP will be one that they don’t find confining. They will thrive in a job that allows them all the freedom they crave – to go by their own schedule, handle their own responsibilities, and do things their own way. ISTPs like to be able to evade situations they aren’t comfortable with, but make no mistake – this doesn’t make them irresponsible or untrustworthy. They simply tend to pick their commitments very carefully.

Here are some jobs in which an ISTP is likely to feel comfortable and fulfilled:

Athlete
Carpenter
Construction Worker
Mechanic
Military
Motorcyclist
Paramedic/EMT
Farmer
Firefighter
Forensic Pathologist
Pilot
Police Officer
Probation Officer
Detective
Driver
Electrical Engineer
Engineer
Steelworker
Transportation Operative
Marketer
Computer Programmer
Computer Specialist
Project Manager
Sales Agent
Scientist
Systems Analyst
Technical Specialist

ISFP Career Matches (The Adventurer)

As a highly sensitive and caring personality type, The Adventurer will need their job to be more than just a job. They aren’t particularly drawn to achieving wealth, power, or dominance over others. Instead, they place their value on being able to practice their unique creative freedom. The Adventurer has a big and wild imagination that they aren’t afraid to tap into. They like to experiment and to express their views of the world, unconstrained by structure, rules, or public opinion.

This is why the perfect job for an ISFP is one that allows them to walk to the beat of their own drum. If they are given the autonomy and personal space they so desperately need, they can flourish. In fact, this is how ISFPs truly thrive – the only way they can unleash their full potential out in the world. Sure, they might not make sense to others sometimes, but trust that they know what they are doing.

Here are some career matches for these free spirits:

Artist
Carpenter
Teacher
Chef
Child Care
Pediatrician
Church Worker
Composer
Counselor
Social Worker
Designer
Physical Therapist
Veterinarian
Early Childhood Development
Park Ranger
Librarian
Editor
Musician
Naturalist
Nurse
Mechanic
Writer
Homemaker

NT Career Matches (Analyzers)

NT personality types exhibit great rationality and intellectual excellence. They like to be presented with challenging problems, and nothing pleases them more than having to think their way through to a solution. These personality types are very resourceful when coming up with ideas and are able to keep the bigger picture in mind when deciding on the best course of action.

ENTJ Career Matches (The General)

ENTJs are extroverted, reliable, and self-directed people. Challenges motivate them, and they have a drive towards constant self-improvement. Although some have the tendency to become workaholics, The General is consistently effective in their work – they like to get things done. As an extrovert, they are likely to prefer careers that give them the chance to think through their ideas by talking about them. Communication is key to their performance. Also, The General is superb at multitasking. It’s not a rare sight to witness them managing and directing several projects at the same time, while still delivering stellar results.

ENTJs are extremely ambitious people. They aim for jobs where they can climb the corporate ladder while still managing to challenge themselves daily. If ENTJs make it their mission to become good at something, they’ll never stop until they achieve it. Although they feel the most comfortable at professions that involve business, management, and entrepreneurship, they can be good at basically anything.

Here’s a peek into just how diverse the perfect matches for an ENTJ can be:

Business Administrator
Executive
Entrepreneur
Manager
Politician
Computer Consultant
Lawyer/Attorney
Judge
Scientist
Banker
Systems Analyst
Teacher
Professor

ENTP Career Matches (The Debater)

The Debater is a champion when it comes to brainstorming new ideas or campaigns. They are quick to examine the problem at hand from a number of different angles, and they can work quickly to come up with a solution while everyone else is still assimilating the task. Because of their quick thinking, ENTPs are valued members of any organization. Even when the rest of their colleagues catch up with them, the ideas that ENTPs present are often the most innovative and impressive ones. The Debater is unparalleled when it comes to finding solutions or fixing the unfixable.

ENTPs don’t neglect creative brainstorming for practicality. The perfect job for them will challenge them to use their brain and let their intellect shine bright. In contrast, careers that demand routine tasks and rigorous attention to small details are a big drawback in the eyes of a Debater.

Let’s see what careers these bold intellectuals are likely to enjoy:

Engineer
Computer Analyst
Computer Programmer
Entrepreneur
Inventor
Journalist
Lawyer/Attorney
Marketer
Politician
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Consultant
Scientist
Systems Analyst
Writer
Photographer
Sales Agent
Comedian
Actor/Actress
Musician

INTJ Career Matches (The Mastermind)

INTJs are typically characterized by their profound intellect and wisdom, as well as their discipline and perfectionism. They are people who like structure and organization in every aspect of their lives. The Mastermind’s reliability can never be questioned, and you can be sure that they will always give their honest opinion about things – no matter what it may be. One would assume that finding the perfect career match would be an easy task for The Mastermind; however, this personality type is likely to struggle in the quest for the right job.

The perfect INTJ job should be infused with an optimal amount of intellectual stimulus and problem-solving, as well as the freedom for creative expression. INTJs have grand ideas about the world and require the space to execute them, and they also wish to be recognized for their talent and skills. The best jobs for INTJs are ones that involve grasping complex theories, applying superb problem-solving skills, and committing long-term to a specific field.

Here is a few of them to begin with:

Systems Analyst
Computer Programmer
Entrepreneur
Computer Specialist
Engineer
Corporate Strategist
Researcher
Scientist
Medical Doctor
Lawyer/Attorney
Professor
Psychologist
Business Administrator
Military Officer
Manager
Judge
Teacher
Organization Founder
Dentist

INTP Career Matches (The Logician)

INTPs are open-minded and inventive workers who are primarily interested in abstract ideas. Their Intuitive nature allows them to spot the underlying principles in complex problems and propose creative solutions. Ultimately, The Logician is a deep thinker who takes many different perspectives into account. One of the greatest strengths they bring to a work environment is their detached, analytical mindset. They make decisions based on existing data and logic, and they strive to be as impartial as possible. This doesn’t make them narrow-minded thinkers; rather, because of their Intuitive preference, they are aware of the bigger picture.

The best careers for INTPs revolve around theoretical problem-solving, while providing plenty of room for improvisation. The Logician is much more excited about conceptualizing rather than implementing. They would rather discover new ways of doing things – then leave the practical application to someone else.

Here are some jobs that are likely to strike their interest:

Professor
Scientist
Archaeologist
Architect
Mathematician
Artist
Technical Writer
Philosopher
Strategic Planner
Systems Analyst
Computer Animator
Computer Programmer
Computer Specialist
Economist
Engineer
Inventor
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Investigator
Teacher
Logician
Marketer
Translator/Interpreter
Musician
Network Specialist
Judge
Lawyer/Attorney
Legal Mediator
Project Manager
Financial Planner
Banker
Researcher
Consultant
Photographer

NF Career Matches (Empaths)

NF personality types are empathetic and diplomatic, and they possess great people skills. They enjoy helping others out, especially when it comes to providing them with emotional support. These people have an impeccable understanding of emotions, and their intuition is unmatched. Being as idealistic as they are, they often look for a job that bears a higher purpose in mind or helps solve an important world issue.

ENFJ Career Matches (The Guide)

The Guide is one of the most people-oriented personality types. Their interest is focused mainly on other people, and they prioritize others’ needs over their own. This is a fantastic quality to have, as they also have the tendency to bring out the best in everyone around them. The Guide’s Judging (J) preference leads them to be focused and prepared; they work best ahead of deadlines, planning the execution of a task in advance. They simply enjoy being organized and creating charts, schedules, lists, and anything else that can help them get a project finished.

The best job for ENFJs is one that combines their analytical skills with their fun, outgoing nature. This is why they are mostly looking for a job that can combine both work and play. Their target is usually something creative with just the right amount of structure and deadlines. A job that involves a lot of detailed analysis or paperwork would likely result in ENFJs feeling pressured or exhausted. Ultimately, they do well in environments where they can foster meaningful personal connections.

Here are some example of such jobs:

Teacher
Professor
Social Worker
Career Counselor
Counselor
Therapist
Psychologist
Psychiatrist
Church Worker
Trainer
HR Specialist
Librarian
Writer
Nurse
Diplomat
Consultant
Artist
Editor
Administrator
Actor/Actress
Events Coordinator
Facilitator
Homemaker
Musician
Designer
Engineer
Occupational Therapist
Politician
Project Manager
Sales Agent
Senior Manager

ENFP Career Matches (The Optimist)

ENFPs are friendly and energetic workers. They prefer laid-back and flexible work environments, rather than ones that follow strict rules and order. Because of how creative and expressive they are in their work, The Optimist will want the chance to generate ideas and help others with innovative suggestions. Speaking of others, ENFPs feel very fulfilled when they get to cooperate with their colleagues. They find much joy in human contact and are very eager team members; they always have something to contribute with their signature innovation. This is why their creative approach might not be welcomed in the corporate world. Its rules and regulations are simply too restricting for them.

The perfect ENFP job must be a versatile one, where no two days are the same. It should present them with new challenges and opportunities and should be interesting enough to keep them from getting bored. This colorful personality type is happiest when their people-centered and creative nature can flourish.

Here are some examples of such jobs:

Journalist
Social Worker
Conference Planner
Diplomat
Writer
Nurse
Public Relations
Politician
Housing Director
Editor
Broadcaster/Newscaster
Teacher
Professor
Musician
Lawyer/Attorney
Church Worker
Counselor
Therapist
Psychologist
Art Director
Project Manager
Artist
Painter
Actor/Actress
Merchandise Planner
Career Counselor
Speech Pathologist
Entrepreneur
Dietitian/Nutritionist
Human Resources
Consultant
Marketer
Occupational Therapist
Social Scientist

INFJ Career Matches (The Sage)

INFJs are extremely idealistic, caring, and thoughtful people. Nicknamed The Sage, they prefer to carry out meaningful tasks that can positively influence the world. The INFJ will be a helpful and reliable team member (who sometimes takes on more than they are realistically capable of doing). This might be because of their heightened sense of responsibility, both for their work and for the others who work with them. They are always willing to help and will even stay later than their working hours to make sure everything is completed to their own high standards.

A job INFJs would feel most comfortable in is one that is highly consistent with their strong value systems. This personality type is extremely altruistic and wants their actions to impact the world in a positive way. The Sage is caring and thoughtful, and they achieve a great sense of satisfaction from helping others. This is why they are so well-suited to careers in humanitarian fields. Given INFJs’ deep empathy and superior understanding of people’s feelings and emotions, an occupation that deals with people can be very good for them.

Here are some career matches that The Sage can potentially find great enjoyment in:

Counselor
Clergy
Therapist
Writer
Missionary
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Social Worker
Educational Consultant
Child Care
Child Development
Church Worker
Teacher
Musician
Photographer
Professor
Librarian
Artist
Actor/Actress
Medical Doctor
Alternative Medicine
Designer
Human Resources
Trainer

INFP Career Matches (The Mediator)

INFPs want to feel a sense of purpose in their work. They put very serious emphasis on balance and harmony, which is why they would likely be willing to take the extra effort to establish strong emotional and moral connections with their work. You can always count on INFPs to be honest and considerate of the work ecosystem as a whole. In the best case scenario, INFPs thrive when they are put together with like-minded people who share their working style and their passion to make a meaningful difference in the world. In nearly any scenario, though, the harmonious and gentle personality of The Mediator makes them likable to others, and generally, they are perceived positively by their coworkers.

Being introverted, INFPs don’t mind spending time alone. In fact, it’s crucial for their mental wellbeing and happiness. This is why people from this personality type should avoid the open office environments often found in big corporations, as they don’t allow for this much needed solitude. To INFPs, any job that puts them on the spot or requires them to be in front of a big audience simply won’t do.

Here are some career matches that are good for INFPs:

Activist
Church Worker
Missionary
Educational Consultant
Social Worker
Physical Therapist
Fashion Designer
Counselor
Teacher
Musician
Therapist
Actor/Actress
Artist
Journalist
Professor
Minister
Filmmaker
Librarian
Editor
Graphic Designer
Writer
Psychologist
Translator/Interpreter
Social Scientist
Web Designer
Photographer
Human Resources
Video Editor
Holistic Health Practitioner
Speech Pathologist
Employee Development Specialist
Researcher

Note that each person, even of the same type, is different and no career in these lists should be considered as an automatic perfect match. These lists should be taken as suggestions for exploration.

Personality types | 16Personalities

Analysts

Strategist

INTJ-A / INTJ-T

Imaginative, strategic thinkers with a plan for all occasions.

Scientist

INTP-A / INTP-T

Creative inventors, with a strong belief in the power of knowledge.

Commander

ENTJ-A / ENTJ-T

Brave, resourceful and strong-willed leaders who always find a way - or make a way.

Debater

ENTP-A / ENTP-T

Smart and curious thinkers who never turn down an intellectual challenge.

Diplomats

Activist

INFJ-A / INFJ-T

Quiet and mystical, but inspiring and relentless idealists.

Broker

INFP-A / INFP-T

Poetic, kind and altruistic personalities, always ready to stand up for a good cause.

Trainer

ENFJ-A / ENFJ-T

Charismatic and inspiring leaders who captivate their listeners.

Wrestler

ENFP-A / ENFP-T

Enthusiasts, creative and sociable free minds who always find a reason to smile.

Guardians

Administrator

ISTJ-A / ISTJ-T

Practical and factual people whose reliability is unshakable.

Protector

ISFJ-A / ISFJ-T

Very responsible and kind protectors, always ready to protect their loved ones.

Manager

ESTJ-A / ESTJ-T

Excellent administrators, unsurpassed specialists in process and people management.

Consul

ESFJ-A / ESFJ-T

Extremely caring, sociable and popular people, always ready to help.

Seekers

Virtuoso

ISTP-A / ISTP-T

Brave and practical experimenters, masters of all kinds of techniques and tools.

Artist

ISFP-A / ISFP-T

Flexible and charming artists, always ready to explore and experience something new.

Dealer

ESTP-A / ESTP-T

Smart, energetic and very receptive people who truly enjoy risk.

Entertainer

ESFP-A / ESFP-T

Spontaneous, energetic and tireless merry fellows - where they are, it's never boring.

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