The most successful personality type

The Personality Types That Earn the Most and Least Money

A lot of things determine how much money you make: your level of education; the job you choose to pursue; the company you work for; your hard skills; and your ability to negotiate.

But one thing you really have no control over that affects your pay is your personality type.

According to the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator, which tests behavioral binaries, there are a total of 16 distinctive personality types.

The Career Assessment Site created an infographic that, among other things, shows the average household income for each one.

Here's a look at average pay by personality type:

Career Assessment Site

Individuals with the ENTJ (Extroverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging) type, who tend to be natural leaders, earn the most money, on average.

"They're typically short- and long-term planners who are able to read into data effectively, leading them to find patterns and creative solutions to problems," explains Jonathan Bollag, an executive coach and founder of Career Assessment site. "They put this information through a logic-based filter in order to make objective decisions. You then add their preference for extroversion that translates to them having an easier time networking and communicating with large groups of people."

These personality preferences combine to create the potential for an individual who stands out as an effective and efficient problem solver with a long-term vision.

"These people also tend to present their positions from a logical perspective, and are able to create the right connections to create leadership opportunities," Bollag says. "Not coincidentally, these leadership positions come with some of the highest possible income potential."

At the other end of the spectrum you'll find the INFP (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) type.

"Individuals with the INFP personality type are introverts and they tend to be less comfortable with networking and 'reaching out' in general," he says. "This may lead them to miss opportunities to make contacts that propel them to positions of higher income levels."

"Individuals with the INFP personality type are introverts and they tend to be less comfortable with networking and 'reaching out' in general." Flickr/Wiertz Sébastien

And in a world where "who you know" matters more than "what you know," this can be detrimental.

These individuals also tend to be attracted to career paths that offer a lot of flexibility and freedom where their creative expression can manifest itself on their terms, Bollag says. "This is why you find that a lot of INFP's go into fields like music, arts, and creative writing," he explains. "Unfortunately for income statistics, there is a very good reason why we use the term 'starving artists' and the few examples of famous artists, novelists, and musicians that make it big are a very small percentage of the population."

Finally, he says, these individuals tend to lean on subjective analysis of situations when making decisions. "They consider the impact their decisions have on other people and aim to have harmony in their environment. While there is nothing wrong with this perspective, it may lead them to shy away from positions that force them to make hard, logic-based decisions that effect others in a negative way."

For example, an INFP may have a much harder time making a corporate level decision that lays off a thousand employees for the betterment of the company than someone who had a Thinking ("T") based personality type. "A T-based personality type may be able to justify the action, but an F-based personality type, like the INFP, may have lingering issues with such a past decision long after it has been made. "

When you combine all of these aspects you find a combination that is less likely to be naturally attracted to some of the high-income career paths, Bollag adds.

He says it is important to note that these are "averages" and it does not mean that you cannot make a great living while having the INFP personality type.

"Your personality type does not dictate how good you will be at something. It only lets you know which preferences are most natural for you," Bollag explains. "What you do with that knowledge and how hard you work at your chosen career path will have the biggest impact on your income potential."

Jacquelyn Smith

Editor, Careers

Jacquelyn joined Business Insider as the careers editor in 2014. She previously worked as a leadership reporter for Forbes. She is the coauthor of "Find and Keep Your Dream Job: The Definitive Careers Guide From Forbes."Jacquelyn holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The University of Arizona and a master’s degree from Hofstra University. She lives in New York City and can be found on Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.

The Personality Types That Make the Most Money

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Which personality type makes the most money?

Key points

Researchers have found that your Myers-Briggs personality type can impact how much money you make.
Of the 16 different personality types, those with the ENTJ personality type on average earn the most money.
The INFP (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) personality type on average earn the least.

What factors determine your income level? Your skills, experience, and education are big contributors, but your personality type also plays a major role. According to the Career Assessment Site, how much money we make is directly correlated to our personality type. They conducted an extensive survey to see how your personality type impacts your earning power.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test is a questionnaire that sorts you into 16 different personality types. The researchers surveyed over 72,000 people to measure the different MBTI personality preferences, income levels, and career-related data. The personality types are based on how your personal preferences are paired with each other.

The orientation of your focus and how you are energized: Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I)
The way you take in information and what you pay attention to: Sensing (S) or INtuition (N)
How you make decisions and form judgments: Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
How you deal with the world and the lifestyle you prefer: Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)

The personality type that makes the most

Out of the 16 personality types, those with the ENTJ (someone who aligns with Extraversion, Intuition, Thinking, Judging) personality type on average earn the most money. ENTJs are natural born leaders. They are very career-focused, and fit into the business world quite naturally. They generally see things from a long-range perspective, and are usually successful at identifying solutions to problems.

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ENTJ's make the most on average because they are driven to leadership and are in positions of higher income potential. They are good networkers and are able to find opportunities through relationships. Not surprisingly, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and the late Steve Jobs have this type of personality.

The personality type that makes the least

Those with the INFP (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) personality type on average earn the least. INFP's are service-oriented people, usually putting the needs of others above their own. Since they are loyal and devoted to other people and causes, it makes sense that making money isn't their primary goal.

They value deep and authentic relationships and are introverted, so they tend to miss opportunities that may give them chances to make more money. Freedom and flexibility in their career are more important than income potential. Many INFP's are artists, musicians, and creative writers. This is why many INFPs epitomize the term “starving artists.”

Personality traits that impact income

The reason personalities correlate with income is that some personality types are attracted to certain career paths. Some naturally look for high-income jobs and positions, while others are attracted to a job that fits their values.

The income differences between personality types are dramatic. There was a difference of more than $26,000 between ENTJs and INFPs. The researchers found that Extraverts, Thinkers, and Judgers have higher earning power than their counterparts. The study also found that certain traits predict earnings. The personality traits that correlate the most with higher income are ambitious, challenging, expressive, and objective.

While the study found that there are certain behaviors that can impact your income, it is more important to focus on your natural strengths than trying to change your personality. The statistics just show the “average” income based on personality types. It doesn't mean you can't make a great living if you have a certain personality type but it generally lets you know which preferences are more natural for you. You are more likely to maximize your earning power if you are honest with yourself and are self-aware of your skill sets. The biggest impact on your income potential is how hard you work!

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About the Author

David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® is an award-winning entrepreneur and financial planner with over two decades of experience in the personal finance space. He is a graduate of West Point and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard. He has an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

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What is the best personality type, according to science

There are many different personality types in the world, 16 to be exact, according to the Myers-Briggs typology.
Let's look at one of the most kind and noble personality types - INFP ("idealist").

INFPs are people who will eventually change the world, because they are the ones who never stop trying to change others for the better. They are energetic, they are idealists, and in general just great people.

Perhaps you belong to this noble personality type. This is easy to determine by the following features:

You can see the good in people even if others don't.
INFPs will befriend and protect people that most others shun.

People take advantage of your kindness.
Because of their kind-hearted nature, INFPs can even endanger themselves, as dishonest people often take advantage of their kindness.

You may need to control your kindness so that you don't become angry at the whole world.

Parties don't appeal to you, volunteer work is another matter.
Introverts to the bone, INFPs tend not to go to discos. However, volunteering at the animal shelter will keep them happy for the day. That is why others respect such people very much.

You are extremely devoted to people and your principles.
There is no truer friend or partner than an INFP personality. When things don't go well, you can count on the INFP to be by your side and support you.

Bad relationships just stick to you and you can't figure out why.
INFPs often connect their fate with unworthy people who take advantage of their kindness, devotion and openness. Worse still, INFPs usually don't break out of such relationships, because leaving someone is unthinkable for them, and besides, they hope that they can change their partners.

INFPs don't understand why this is happening to them, primarily because they find it hard to understand that people can be cruel for the sake of being cruel. If this happens too often, INFPs may stop trying to form a relationship altogether.

You live in your fantasy world.
INFP is one of the most creative personality types. People of this type have a very vivid imagination, among them there are many visionaries and dreamers who rarely live in the present. They are characterized by a fine mental organization and a certain isolation from the realities of life.

You value your partner.
Lucky is the one who has established relationships with people of the INFP type. After all, they do everything possible to make their partners feel happy, loved and protected. People of this type often give gifts "just like that", without any reason.

You like to listen more than talk.
INFPs do not require too much attention. However, they love to listen and often act as the one to whom they pour out their souls or cry on the shoulder.

When you do speak, speak from the heart.
One thing that INFPs should never be accused of is insincerity. On the contrary, they often lack tact and at times are quite harsh. It is important to remember that they are not trying to offend others at all, they are simply very honest.

Self-improvement is very important to you.
INFPs see many opportunities for inner development. Thus, they love to read books about self-improvement and are also interested in various programs that can enrich their inner world.

It's pretty easy to upset you.
Most INFPs are people on the inside, so it's not surprising that they are quite vulnerable. It's even good that they can "withdraw into themselves", hide from the troubles that are not uncommon in everyday life.

You are constantly looking for your cozy place in the world.
Sincere, sweet and caring, INFPs simply want to live a comfortable life. They are not crazy; they just want to live in a better world.

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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.

Learn more