IQ of Doctors vs Engineers: How Intelligence Shapes Your Career and Wealth (Understand Average IQ by Profession)

Why We are Obsessed with IQ and “Smart Jobs”

Ever wondered if doctors are smarter than engineers? Or if the “IQ of doctors vs engineers” debate really matters for your career path and money? The truth is, studies show both doctors and engineers rank very high on the IQ scale, often averaging well above 120.

This blog dives into the latest data on Average IQ by profession, compares doctors, engineers, lawyers, nurses and more, and shows which jobs have the lowest averages. and what it all means for how you think, work, and build wealth.

This is not about bragging rights. It’s about understanding how intelligence and money intersect, and more importantly, how you can use that knowledge to make smarter life and investment choices — regardless of your IQ score.
By the end, you will not only know the facts, but also how to use this insight to take smart action today.

What Is a “Good” IQ for a Career?

First, let’s break down IQ. By design, an IQ test has an average score of 100 (standard deviation ~15). That means about 68% of people score between 85 and 115. The classic Simon-Binet scale even labels 130+ as genius, 120–129 as very superior, 110–119 superior, and 90–109 average. So when we call someone “high IQ,” we usually mean 120 or above – placing them in the top few percent.

Many top professions cluster in that high range. For example, data compiled from several sources show that professors, researchers, scientists, surgeons, lawyers, and engineers typically average IQs in the 120–130 range. On the flip side, jobs involving more routine, hands-on tasks tend to have lower averages (though still mostly between 70 and 130). One source puts laborers, gardeners, and factory workers around IQ 90, while foremen, salesmen, policemen, and clerks average about 110. Even machine operators and welders hover near IQ 100.

Analogy: Think of IQ like horsepower under your career’s hood. High-performance engines (like cutting-edge research jobs) sit up front, but lots of solid engines (like teachers or managers) roll in the middle. Just knowing your horsepower rating is not enough – driving skill and maintenance matter too. Similarly, IQ is a useful metric, but motivation and habits greatly influence where you end up.

Few sources shows below table for Average IQ by Professions;

IQ Range	Category	What It Means
130+	Genius	Think Einstein, advanced researchers
120–129	Very Superior	Doctors, lawyers, engineers, inventors
110–119	Above Average	Teachers, managers, analysts
90–109	Average	Majority of the population
80–89	Below Average	Simpler or manual professions
<80	Low	Limited cognitive complexity roles

The average IQ globally is 100.
Anything above 120 puts you in roughly the top 10% of the population.

The IQ of Doctors vs Engineers: Head-to-Head

The phrase “IQ of Doctors vs Engineers” pops up a lot online, but what do the numbers actually say? In reality, both professions are full of very smart people. Top-tier medical specialists and high-end engineers often tie. For instance, surgeons and research engineers often co-lead the chart at an average IQ around 130. General physicians (MDs/DOs) and typical engineers also cluster high, around 125–130. Even lawyers and architects fall in the high 120s by some measures.

So who “wins”? The data of average IQ by profession, suggests it is essentially a tie at the top.
✅ Doctors excel in memory, decision-making, and pattern recognition (life-and-death stakes).
✅ Engineers shine in logic, problem-solving, and systems optimization (from bridges to algorithms).

The real question is: how you use your intelligence, not which field has a slightly higher average. (Later, we’ll talk about applying this insight for your finances and career steps.)

Average IQ by Profession

Looking beyond just doctors and engineers, here’s a quick guide to average IQ by broad profession (pulled from multiple studies and expert lists):

IQ ~130: (Top tier) Physicists, neuroscientists, professors, researchers, surgeons, civil/computer engineers.

IQ ~120: (Very high) Lawyers, pharmacists, architects, dentists, accountants, senior managers, many physicians.

IQ ~110: (Above average) Teachers, police officers, clerical supervisors, field engineers, sales managers.

IQ 85–100: (Average to low) Sales representatives, electricians, construction workers, factory line workers.

IQ ~90: (Lowest range) Laborers, gardeners, miners, factory packers – jobs focused on repetitive physical tasks.

These patterns reflect what researchers call “gravitational sorting” by job complexity: high-IQ individuals tend to end up in cognitively demanding roles, while routine jobs pull average-IQ workers. In fact, one analysis found the highest complexity jobs averaged IQ ~117 and the lowest around 89 – nearly a 2-standard-deviation gap!

How Smart Are Doctors, Lawyers, and Nurses?

• Doctors (MD/DO): Often in the high 120s to 130 range. Averages vary by specialty (e.g. surgeons near 130), but even general physicians score well above the norm.
• Lawyers & Judges: Generally high 120s. Law school’s tough reasoning and memory requirements push this group up.
• Nurses: Usually around 115–120. Nursing demands strong problem-solving and knowledge, but tends to average a bit below physician levels.
• Engineers: About 120–130, depending on the discipline. (Specializations like R&D or software can push higher.)
• Teachers: Roughly 110–120. The education field requires solid smarts, but on average is slightly below the top professional tiers.
• Pharmacists, Accountants, Managers: Often cited around 120, reflecting professional training.

These numbers are averages of course – any individual can be above or below. But overall, medicine, law, and engineering rank among the smartest professions on IQ measures.

What Jobs Do High-IQ People Usually Go To?

If you have a high IQ, where might you land? Statistically, high-IQ individuals often populate fields that are intellectually challenging or creative:

Research & Academia: Physicists, mathematicians, engineers (especially R&D), AI researchers, philosophy professors, etc. These careers require advanced problem-solving and often reward genius-level insights.
Medicine & Science: Beyond doctors, think neurosurgery, medical research, genetics – fields that push the intellectual envelope.
Law & Policy: Strategic roles like judiciary positions, constitutional law, high-level consulting, where logic and memory are key.
Technology & Finance: Software architecture, data science, quantitative analysis (e.g. Wall Street quants), cryptography – tech fields often draw top scorers.
Creative Think Tanks: Some high-IQ folks become inventors, strategic game designers, or artists (e.g. composers) at the very highest creativity levels.

That said, high IQ people don’t have to be in these fields. Many enter business, entrepreneurship, or even art, using other skills. The point is: intelligence can open doors, but passion and training determine where you walk through.

A Good Read: Building Wealth Through Flipping Houses / Real Estate (15 Min. Read)

The Occupations with the Lowest Average IQ

Naturally, this leads to the question: “What occupation has workers with the lowest average IQ?” In broad terms, the lowest averages tend to belong to routine, manual jobs. For instance:

Trades & Sales: Many sales reps and trade workers (e.g. mechanics, carpenters) average in the 85–100 IQ range. These roles rely more on hands-on skill, social ability or grit than on the specific logic measured by an IQ test.

Labor & Service Jobs: Positions like construction laborers, cleaning staff, farm workers, and similar jobs often fall around IQ ~90.

Clerical/Assembly Roles: Certain assembly line or basic administrative roles average near 100.

So, the lowest average IQ jobs are typically those involving repetitive tasks or minimal formal training. (That’s not a value judgment – it simply means those jobs ask less of the logical reasoning captured by an IQ test.)

Key Insight: If you find yourself in one of the lower-IQ-average occupations, remember that IQ is just one factor. People succeed in these jobs through reliability, specific skills, or creativity. And if you have higher IQ than your peers, that could be your ticket to move up by learning new skills or training for a more complex role.

Average IQ of Salaried vs Entrepreneurs

Another angle: “What’s the average IQ of salaried employees?” There isn’t a single official stat, since salaried workers span every job. Roughly, the average IQ of salaried workers is about 100 – basically the population average – because the workforce as a whole mirrors society.

By contrast, many studies find entrepreneurs and the self-employed often cluster above average. For example, one analysis notes successful entrepreneurs average around 120–125. Likewise, surveys of wealthy individuals suggest self-made millionaires average around 118. In plain terms, entrepreneurs tend to score higher than the average worker, but they are not all geniuses – many are solidly 115–120 IQ.

The bottom line: Salaried workers (teachers, admins, engineers on payroll, etc.) cover the full IQ spectrum (centering near 100), whereas entrepreneurs and innovative founders lean higher. But remember, average is not destiny. Plenty of high-IQ people remain employees, and many entrepreneurs have average IQs and compensate with hustle and networking.

How IQ Relates to Income and Wealth

Does being smart make you rich? It helps a bit with income, but much less with wealth. On earnings, multiple studies (including a large U.S. sample) show a positive correlation between IQ and paycheck. For instance, economist Jay Zagorsky found that each point of IQ added roughly $200–$600 to annual income. In real terms, someone with IQ 130 could earn about $12,000 more per year than someone at IQ 100. So yes, higher-IQ individuals often secure higher-paying jobs (doctors and engineers can earn more than average-skilled workers).

However, IQ and net worth tell a different story. Zagorsky’s study also showed no significant correlation between IQ and total wealth (net worth) once you control for other factors. In other words, a brilliant person can still go broke without smart money habits, and a moderately smart person can get rich through discipline, entrepreneurship, or inheritance. As one summary put it: “IQ and income is somewhat correlated… but the relationship between IQ and wealth is all over the map.”

Related Article: The Psychology of Rich People: Beyond IQ and Inherited Wealth (with 4 Pillars)

💰 so, Does IQ Predict Wealth?

You’d think high IQ = high bank balance.
Surprisingly, not always.

Studies show a moderate correlation between IQ and income — roughly $500–$700 more annual income per IQ point.
But when it comes to net worth, the link disappears.

Why?
Because wealth depends less on how smart you are and more on how disciplined you are.

💡 A high-IQ doctor earning $250K can still go broke with poor habits.
💡 A mid-IQ electrician investing smartly can retire a millionaire.

Wealth = Behavior × Time × Consistency.
IQ helps you earn, but financial IQ helps you keep and grow it.

🧮 Average IQ by Profession: The Full Chart

Profession	Average IQ	Complexity Level
Physicists / Scientists	130+	Extremely high
Doctors / Surgeons	125–135	Very high
Engineers	120–130	Very high
Lawyers / Judges	125–130	Very high
Professors / Researchers	130	Top-tier
Accountants / Analysts	115–120	High
Teachers / Managers	110–120	Above average
Nurses	110–120	Above average
Technicians / Salespeople	100–110	Average
Factory Workers / Drivers	90–100	Low-average
Laborers / Service Workers	85–95	Low

You will notice a pattern:
💡 Jobs that require complex reasoning, advanced education, or abstract thinking tend to pull in higher IQ averages.
But here’s what’s fascinating — some lower-IQ-average jobs create more millionaires than higher-IQ ones.

Curious? Keep reading.

Key Takeaway on Money:

Earning: Higher IQ can lead to higher salaries (the effect exists, but it’s moderate).

Saving/Investing: Wealth depends far more on what you do with your money. Smart spending, saving, and investing habits build wealth, often regardless of IQ.

Action: Whether your IQ is 90 or 130, you can grow your money. High earners should invest the difference, and everyone should focus on financial discipline (budgeting, investing for the long term, avoiding debt).

🎯 The Real Lesson Behind the Numbers

The takeaway from the IQ of doctors vs engineers debate isn’t who’s smarter.
It’s this:

Intelligence opens doors. Habits decide which ones you walk through.

Both doctors and engineers belong to high-IQ groups — yet, in the long run, money flows to those who plan, save, and invest intentionally.

— Your IQ might determine how fast you learn.
— Your mindset determines how far you go.

Actionable Steps: How to Leverage This Data

Self-Assess Fairly: Consider taking a credible IQ or aptitude test for self-awareness. If you find yourself curious about hot topics like “IQ of doctors vs engineers,” remember that such stats are just one piece of the puzzle. Your unique skills, interests, and work ethic matter too. Use the results to identify strengths (e.g. verbal, quantitative) and weaknesses to improve on, not to limit yourself.

• Choose a Fit Career: Use your IQ insights wisely. High scorers might explore fields where quick reasoning is rewarded (STEM, research, etc.), while others might focus on careers where persistence and creativity shine. Think about what excites you, not just what your test score suggests.

• Skill Up: Intelligence helps, but skills win. No matter your IQ, invest in learning. If you aim for a high-IQ profession (medicine, engineering, law), start the education path now. If not, build complementary skills (communication, leadership, technical certifications) to excel in your field.

• Network and Collaborate: Don’t underestimate people skills. Many high-IQ people succeed by teaming up or learning from peers. Join study groups, professional communities, or online forums. Your IQ may open doors, but relationships often push them wider.

• Financial Fitness: Use your brain for money habits too. For example, set up automatic investments to grow income differences. A simple rule is the 30-30-3 guideline: spend ≤30% of income, save ≥30%, and invest ≥3% of income each year. Even small investments grow via compound interest. If you earn more (perhaps due to higher IQ), direct the extra dollars to your future.

• List Example: Start with a budget tool or app. Track one monthly goal (like saving for a trip) and let habits build.

• Compound Tip: Invest early. A $200 monthly investment at 7% growth becomes over $10K in 5 years. Let your brainpower compound alongside your cash.

• Do not Be Defined by the Score: Your IQ is not a limit. Many smart, successful doctors began with average scores, and plenty of high-IQ folks took winding paths. Focus on learning, experience, and perseverance. Use intelligence as a tool – for problem-solving and learning – rather than an identity.

Wrap-Up: Your Next Move

Understanding IQ of Doctors vs Engineers (and indeed across all careers) is fascinating – but the ultimate lesson is that intelligence is a tool, not an automatic ticket to success. For example, worrying about “IQ of doctors vs engineers” misses the point. Both professions attract very bright people, so instead of obsessing over small differences, focus on how you apply your smarts.

Doctors vs Engineers – it’s a tie. Both fields demand strong analytical brains. Pick the one that excites you.

High-IQ people often end up in tech, science, law, or finance, but many also thrive in unconventional paths. Identify your passion and leverage your strengths.

Even if you’re in a lower-IQ-average job, remember: success comes from hard work and strategy. You can learn new skills, save money, or start a side hustle. Your IQ does not seal your fate – your actions do.

Now is the time to act. Use what you have learned: if a high-IQ career interests you, plan the education and career steps. If you’re in a high-IQ job, plan your finances.

Take that first step today. Your ambitious, money-smart journey is calling — answer it!

P.S. Hungry for more tips on leveraging your intelligence for wealth? Check out our previous post “IQ and Wealth: How Smart People Think, Earn, and Stay Rich” for additional science-backed insights and strategies.