Are you an intuitive person who makes decisions based on data, facts, numbers, and knowledge? Analytical thinkers are driven by curiosity and use the information they gather to draw conclusions. There are many high-paying careers for analytical thinkers. All you have to do is find the one that best suits your interests.
Some of the professions available to people with this skill include a data analyst, software developer, chemical engineer, or quantitative analyst. Below, we’ll go into more detail on careers for analytical thinkers and how to achieve success.
What Is an Analytical Thinker?
Analytical thinkers are people who view problems as puzzles and are skilled at developing solutions. Typically, analytical people extract important information from data to create these solutions. They are highly logical, which helps them see patterns and the cause-and-effect relationships of complex situations.
Intuition and perception are common traits in analytical thinkers, and they are necessary for understanding data. Analytical thinkers are also often curious, detail-oriented, and thorough in their work. Their decision-making process is guided by scientific, mathematical, and social principles. They also tend to weigh the pros and cons and refer to data before taking action.
If you have some of these traits and you prefer strategy and creativity over communicating and networking, you may be an analytical thinker. Famous analytical thinkers include Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Larry Page, and Marie Curie. Analytical thinkers’ abilities are attractive to employers because they are suitable for many types of jobs.
What Jobs Are Available to Analytical Thinkers?
Different personality types fit with specific positions depending on their traits and skills. As an analytical thinker, you will perform exceptionally in analytical positions and in difficult situations. There are many career options that rely heavily on problem-solving, such as plumbers, carpenters, mechanics, forensic accountants, financial managers, and research analysts.
Most of these careers have a strong job growth rate because there is a continuous need for analytical thinkers in most industries, including health care, agriculture, and technology. Most of them also have a high job satisfaction rate. For example, technical analysts have a satisfaction rate of 3.81 out of 5, according to PayScale. Nevertheless, you need to have specific academic qualifications, experience, and skills to get hired in these positions.
Companies That Hire Analytical Thinkers
- Syngenta. Syngenta is a global agricultural company that focuses on improving food security. It has a great working environment with supportive colleagues and a management team. Whether you want to be a chemical engineer or an analytical chemist, this company likely has a career option for you.
- Purdue University. This world-renowned institution is ideal for analytical people looking to make an impact in science, tech, math, or engineering. The research university has the resources that will allow analysts to conduct research and contribute to discoveries in their field.
- Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson is one of the world’s largest health care company. With over 130,000 employees, it creates products that improve people’s health and living standards. As an analytical thinker, there is certainly a place for you on the company’s team, and you’ll enjoy the numerous benefits that come with it.
- Apple. As the tech world continues to expand into new areas, there’s a growing need for analytical people to develop diverse solutions. Apple has many locations globally, and offers excellent perks such as gym facilities, free food, and nap pods. You’ll also learn a lot working with some of the world’s best tech professionals.
- Google. Are you an analytical thinker who’s passionate about software development? If so, Google is the ideal place for you. The company relies heavily on analytical thinking to achieve its goals. Whether you are an entry-level or intermediate-level software developer, you will get all the support you need to build your career.
10 Highest-Paying Jobs for Analytical Thinkers
| Job Title | Average Salary | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $110,140 | $170,100 |
| Chemical Engineer | $108,540 | $168,960 |
| Economist | $108,350 | $198,230 |
| Data Analyst | $98,230 | $165,230 |
| Quantitative Analyst | $96,630 | $169,500 |
| Data Analyst Consultant | $96,200 | $133,500 |
| Project Manager | $84,290 | $119,500 |
| Financial Analyst | $83,660 | $159,560 |
| Chemist | $79,300 | $139,650 |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,810 | $127,410 |
Analytical thinkers should choose careers that suit their unique skill sets and allow them to use their analytical and creative thinking skills. Depending on your interests, you’ll have a wide range of analytical careers to choose from. Below, we’ll get into the jobs listed above in greater detail.
Software Developer
Software developers create applications, tools for businesses, video games, and more. They leverage their critical thinking and technical skills to develop solutions for clients, whether it’s for entertainment or for practical use.
As a software developer, you will use your analytical skills to learn the best programming languages, such as C++, Python, and Java. You should also be familiar with Git and GitHub, which can be used for debugging and customizing your programs to improve memory and speed.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical engineers work in chemical manufacturing to produce materials that enhance environmental safety, food transportation, medical equipment, and medicine storage. To become a chemical engineer, you must be an expert in chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics. This is a good job for analytical thinkers because the goal is to create solutions for global issues.
Economist
If you are passionate about numbers, research, and data collection, this is the ideal career. Economists create business forecasts and monitor trends. Their daily duties include studying energy data, exchange rates, tax legislation, inflation rates, and business market cycles.
These analysts are in high demand across many industries including international trade, education, banking, manufacturing, insurance, and agriculture. Economists often use data to draw conclusions and develop economic theories to improve production and distribution.
Data Analyst
Data analysis is an excellent career path because all companies deal with data. Data analysts use collected information to better understand an organization’s spending, productivity, and efficiency. Their input helps stakeholders or executives make better decisions when creating business plans, hiring, or investing. This role involves analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, so it’s ideal for an analytical thinker.
Quantitative Analyst
A quantitative analyst is among the top paid positions for analytical thinkers. These professionals work in a company’s financial department studying and compiling reports on the company’s finances using statistics. They help their employer manage and avoid risks.
As a quantitative analyst, a typical day at work will involve gathering data, creating and interpreting financial models, and reporting the outcomes.
Data Analyst Consultant
Similar to data analysts, data analyst consultants deal with data. They collect and evaluate a company’s data to enhance its efficiency, productivity, and revenue. However, these professionals work either for a consulting firm or practice independently. The main duties of this role include designing reports and charts and delivering findings through presentations.
Chemist
A chemist studies matter and its atomic and molecular properties. They conduct research and experiments to find the value of chemical compounds and measure their effects. Through these findings, they inform innovation and discovery in medicine, consumer goods, and agriculture. On a daily basis, they will design and carry out experiments utilizing computer software and laboratory resources, and log their findings in a database.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts provide guidance to organizations. Their primary duties include studying stock market trends and evaluating initial stock values, initial public offerings, and investments. Typically, they work for banks, insurance companies, or hedge funds.
This role is suitable for left-brain thinkers as it leverages problem-solving skills and mathematic strategies. As a financial analyst, your duties will revolve around financial forecasting and evaluating financial reports to help businesses make lucrative investments.
Project Manager
Project managers design and supervise projects to meet the objectives of the organization they work for. As a project manager, you will collect data, collaborate with junior employees, and develop plans. Your employer will also expect you to report your findings, normally through documents, reports, and presentations.
Market Research Analyst
A market research analyst researches and studies market conditions and consumer behavior to help companies make informed decisions. For instance, they will collect information on how much of an item should be produced and when to buy or sell products.
As a marketing analyst, you will also regularly engage in data collection, trend evaluation, and report writing. This position is good for analytical people because it involves interpreting statistics to provide accurate information.
Tips for Finding Success as an Analytical Thinker
Starting a successful analytical career can be an uphill struggle, especially if you don’t have professional guidance. However, whether you want to work in the tech world or the healthcare industry, the tips below will help you build an enjoyable career that can have a positive impact on the world.
1. Practice analytical skills regularly. One of the things that can help you get employment quickly is using your analytical skills so that you can maintain an analytical mindset. Though some people may claim that analytical thinking is a natural gift, you can’t strengthen your abilities without practice.
2. Focus on relevant skills. If you’re looking for a job, you should make an effort to learn the skills necessary for the job. For example, if you are dealing with money management, you should develop your mathematical skills. If you’re breaking into software development, you should build your technical skills.
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3. Get feedback. Whether you’re an entry-level or senior-level analytical employee, you should seek feedback from your colleagues and superiors. Feedback helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses so you’ll know how to improve.
For instance, if you are a good software developer who is comfortable working alone, your team leader may encourage you to collaborate more, which will help you improve your interpersonal skills.
4. Network and build your community. There are multiple platforms online for networking with other analytical people. Other professionals can give you advice that will help you overcome challenges, further your career and potentially receive promotions.
5. Further your education. Academic qualifications play a major role in determining whether a candidate is suitable for a certain job. Consequently, you should consider advancing your education by joining a master’s or PhD program. Furthering your education will show recruiters that you are committed to your career and can help the company reach its goals.
Jobs for Analytical Thinkers Outlook
Working in an analytical field often comes with high pay and good benefits. You also will have a lot of choices in terms of what industry you want to work in, including finance, chemical engineering, business analysis, or technology.
Most of these fields will experience growth in the coming years. For instance, software development is expected to see 22 percent growth between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than the national average for all occupations.
Best Jobs for Analytical Thinkers FAQ
What are the highest-paying jobs for analytical thinkers?
If you want a high-paying career as an analytical thinker, you may want to become a software engineer, quantitative analyst, chemical engineer, or economist. These analyst positions all pay a high average salary.
What are the five types of analytical skills?
The five crucial analytical skills include creative thinking, critical thinking, research, and data analysis, and communication skills. These skills help analytical people pinpoint issues and find and develop solutions.
Can an analytical thinker be a great leader?
Analytical thinkers are suitable for most jobs. However, you’ll need to develop your right-brain skills if you want to become a leader. You’ll need to work on creating and maintaining strong relationships with your colleagues and team members.
How can you enhance your analytical skills?
To enhance your analytical skills, you can play brain games, learn something new regularly, join a debate club, or even keep a journal.
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