What jobs people with high IQs actually do.

A new analysis of 3,827 users who scored in the top 5% on the MyIQ cognitive test (equivalent to an IQ above 120) challenges the notion that high intelligence leads to predictable career outcomes. While 27% of these top scorers work in technology roles, 73% are distributed across a wide range of other sectors, including academia (19%), finance (15%), healthcare (12%), entrepreneurship (9%), and creative industries (8%). Additional concentrations appear in law, education, consulting, social impact, engineering, and behavioral sciences.

According to MyIQ’s findings, 62% of high-IQ respondents hold postgraduate qualifications, yet 26% work in fields unrelated to their highest degree. This divergence suggests that career adaptability, early professional pivots, and the blending of creative and managerial skill sets are common among cognitively high-performing individuals.

Differences by age show additional variation. Users aged 18-35 are disproportionately represented in tech and entrepreneurship, while those aged 36 to 55 show higher participation in finance, public service, and law. Regional differences also emerged. North American high scorers skew toward software, data science, and venture roles; European respondents lean more heavily into academia, policy, and public research.

MyIQ’s survey included responses weighted by age and region to reduce bias. All participants self-reported their current occupation and education level. Crucially, the survey excluded inactive accounts or those with incomplete assessment data.

The broader picture challenges persistent stereotypes about where intelligence "belongs." While industries like tech and finance continue to attract high cognitive performers, MyIQ data illustrates that intellectual aptitude is not synonymous with a narrow occupational track. Many respondents described themselves as having shifted disciplines multiple times, moving from technical roles into design, teaching, analysis, or leadership.

For employers and policymakers, the implications are significant: hiring strategies that rely too heavily on formal credentials or assume linear career logic risk overlooking cognitively capable, cross-disciplinary talent. MyIQ's findings underscore the value of assessing thinking style and problem-solving ability beyond job titles or degrees.

About MyIQ:
MyIQ was launched in 2024 and is used by over a million individuals worldwide. It is a digital self-knowledge platform that offers more than an IQ score, with over 9 million completed tests across the various test categories, cognitive, personality, and relationships, all with personalised, actionable insights. The platform offers over 25 brain games, more than 150 intelligence puzzles, over 20 hours of expert video content, and 300+ available lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making. Through its IQ test, full-spectrum personality assessment, and relationship insight quiz, MyIQ delivers structured, personalized feedback that helps individuals better understand their inner world and behaviour.

Media Contact:
MyIQ
Sophie de Villiers
PR Manager
pr@myiq.com