Best Career Paths For ENTP Personality Types

Your personality traits can significantly influence your career path. Understanding your personality type is the first step in identifying a fulfilling career. One of the most reliable methods for exploring your personality is through personality assessments. Among these, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) remains a popular choice, based on Carl Jung’s theories of cognitive functions, which categorize individuals into distinct personality types.

Key Takeaways:

Optimal careers for ENTP personality types include art director, software developer, and physician.
From 2023 to 2033, the art director position is anticipated to grow by 4% with approximately 4,700 new jobs created across the U.S.
The ENTP personality type stands for Extroverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving, characterized by charisma, energy, and a passion for innovative ideas.
Careers ENTPs may want to avoid include daycare provider and receptionist.

Best Career Paths For ENTP Personality Types

Top Careers for ENTP Personality Types

If you resonate with the traits of an ENTP, you might be curious about which careers align best with your strengths. Here’s a look at some of the most suitable career paths for ENTP professionals and the reasons why they excel in these roles.

Finance Analyst

Average Annual Salary: $72,000

Finance analysts stay informed on financial trends and enjoy exploring global economic conditions. Their quick understanding of how various events impact finance enables them to thrive in this field. ENTPs excel in persuasive communication, helping them convey their vision of future financial landscapes effectively.

Job Outlook: From 2023 to 2033, the finance analyst career is expected to grow by 6%, leading to approximately 31,300 new jobs in the U.S.

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Lawyer

Average Annual Salary: $121,000

ENTPs are well-suited for a legal career, harnessing their debating skills and quick learning. They thrive in dynamic legal environments where they can argue compellingly for their clients. ENTPs tend to excel in areas of law that require rapid decision-making and innovative problem-solving.

Job Outlook: From 2023 to 2033, the lawyer career is projected to grow by 10%, resulting in about 80,200 new positions nationwide.

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Art Director

Average Annual Salary: $74,000

ENTPs are natural brainstormers, generating imaginative ideas that can lead to innovative projects. Their capacity for quick decision-making and persuasive communication makes them effective art directors, particularly when they need to rally a team around a creative vision.

Job Outlook: The art director career is expected to grow by 4% from 2023 to 2033, with approximately 4,700 new job openings in the U.S.

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Performing Artist

Average Annual Salary: $59,079

Performance artists are adaptable and can fluidly transition between different roles and emotions. ENTPs excel at crafting compelling narratives and connecting with audiences, making them well-suited for diverse artistic endeavors.

Job Outlook: The performing artist career is projected to grow by 11% from 2023 to 2033, generating around 155,000 new jobs across the U.S.
Software Developer

Average Annual Salary: $80,000

Software developers are at the forefront of technological innovation, consistently developing cutting-edge solutions. ENTPs thrive in this environment, leveraging their insights into consumer needs and emerging trends to create impactful software.

Job Outlook: The software development sector is projected to grow by 22% from 2023 to 2033, resulting in approximately 409,500 new positions in the U.S.

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Professor

Average Annual Salary: $142,000

ENTPs often gravitate towards academia due to their love of learning and sharing knowledge. They thrive in environments filled with high-level thinkers, where they can engage students in dynamic discussions and promote innovative ideas.

Job Outlook: The postsecondary teaching career is expected to grow by 12% from 2023 to 2033, yielding around 159,400 new job opportunities nationwide.

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Psychologist

Average Annual Salary: $72,000

Psychologists excel at synthesizing information to guide individuals toward recovery. ENTPs are adept at analyzing human behavior, allowing them to develop effective strategies for their clients while maintaining professional detachment.

Job Outlook: The psychologist career is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, leading to about 11,300 new job openings across the U.S.

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Physician

Average Annual Salary: $176,000

Physicians, like psychologists, diagnose and devise treatment plans. ENTPs thrive in this fast-paced medical environment due to their passion for learning and commitment to staying updated on new medical advancements.

Job Outlook: The physician career is expected to grow by 3% from 2023 to 2033, resulting in approximately 19,400 new job opportunities across the U.S.

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Marketing Consultant

Average Annual Salary: $61,000

Marketing consultants are trendsetters, adept at predicting market shifts. ENTPs, with their strong communication skills and innovative thinking, excel in this field, often rising to leadership positions quickly.

Job Outlook: The marketing consultant career is anticipated to grow by 19% from 2023 to 2033, creating approximately 150,300 new job opportunities across the U.S.

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Private Detective

Average Yearly Salary: $37,000

For the adventurous ENTP, working as a private detective offers the autonomy and thrill they crave. This role allows them to utilize their investigative skills and creativity in a less structured environment.

Job Outlook: The private detective career is expected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, resulting in around 2,100 new job opportunities across the U.S.

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What Is an ENTP?

As an ENTP, you embody the traits of Extroversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Perception.

Extroverted
Intuitive
Thinking
Perceiving

These traits manifest in varying degrees, influencing how you interact with the world:

Extroverted thinking allows ENTPs to thrive in social settings and approach situations with a broad perspective.
Intuition enables them to make insightful connections swiftly.
Thinking signifies their preference for quick decision-making over prolonged contemplation.
Perceiving reflects their focus on potential future outcomes rather than past details.

Strengths and Weaknesses of ENTP People

ENTPs are curious learners who excel at grasping abstract concepts. Their flexibility allows them to pivot between ideas seamlessly, though they may not always consider every detail.

Some strengths include:

Intelligence
Quick learning and analytical thinking
Innovative ideas
Charisma
High energy and enthusiasm

However, they may also exhibit weaknesses such as:

Argumentative tendencies
Insensitivity to others
Intolerance
Difficulties with focus
Neglecting practical matters

Careers ENTP Personality Types May Want to Avoid

Not every career suits an ENTP. Certain roles may clash with their personality, leading to frustration. Here are some careers best avoided:

Daycare Provider. ENTPs typically lack the patience required for working with children consistently, preferring intellectually stimulating environments.
Airline Pilot. The structured nature of piloting can feel monotonous to an ENTP, who thrives in dynamic settings.
Dietician. The repetitive nature of advising on nutrition may quickly bore an ENTP, who prefers engaging and dynamic tasks.
Receptionist. An ENTP may find a receptionist role stifling due to its routine nature and lack of intellectual challenges.
Home Health Aide. While healthcare can be appealing, the emotional demands of this role may not align with an ENTP’s strengths.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook.” Accessed on September 12, 2022.

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Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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