12 Best Jobs For Autistic Adults

The job market can feel like a confusing and frustrating place for those with autism or Asperger’s syndrome. You should find work that suits your strengths and interests. Each person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is unique, and no one’s experience with autism is the same, which can make job hunting that much harder.

Our list of jobs best suited for autistic adults can be for those who may be non-verbal or have additional challenges or those who are high-functioning. Of course, it will depend on what the individual feels they can handle and enjoy doing for a day’s worth of work. Below, we’ve listed some suggestions for jobs for high functioning autistic adults.

Key Takeaways:

• The best jobs for autistic adults include accounting, computer programming, animal science, and gardening.

• Many with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have great visual orientation, logical, and technical skills.

• Between 2018 and 2028, the data analyst career is expected to grow 14% and produce 118,300 job opportunities across the U.S.

Best jobs and careers for people with autism

Individuals with ASD will perform best in jobs or careers that help maximize their existing strengths. These jobs should also have flexibilities or ways to minimize their weaknesses. This means they should seek jobs that offer support and structure while requiring attention to detail.

Adults with autism should avoid work that regularly involves intense interpersonal work or short-term memory. Below are some of our suggestions for good jobs for autistic adults.

1. Animal Scientist

   Average Annual Salary: $63,000
   Job Outlook: Animal scientist jobs are projected to grow 10% with 3,900 jobs between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS

   Working in animal science is an ideal field to enter if you enjoy working with pets. Careers can include veterinary technicians, groomers, obedience trainers, dog walkers, or pet sitters. Those comfortable with farm animals could also consider a career as an equine trainer, livestock handler, or zookeeper.

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2. Accountant

   Average Annual Salary: $52,000
   Job Outlook: Accounting jobs are projected to grow 7% with an additional 96,000 jobs added in the United States between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS

   An accounting job can be ideal for you if you are a high-functioning individual who enjoys math, finances, and crunching numbers. Accountants can work for companies, but sometimes you work for themselves too. You may fulfill tasks such as managing budgets, filing taxes, keeping balance sheets, and creating sales and cash flow reports.

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3. Actuary

   Average Annual Salary: $84,000
   Job Outlook: Actuary jobs are projected to grow 24% with an additional 6,800 jobs added in the United States between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS

   Actuary’s work for insurance companies and use statistical analysis to determine how insurance companies can stay profitable, how likely an accident will occur, and what types of policies should cost more than others. This is the perfect position for you if you want to work in office environments, like working with large numbers, and enjoy statistical data.

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4. Researcher

   Average Annual Salary: $60,000
   Job Outlook: Research jobs are projected to grow 8% and produce 10,600 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2018 and 2028, according to the BLS

   Individuals with autism can leverage their specific interests or passions to pursue a career in research. Researchers must be logical and unemotional to present the information they find without personal bias,

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5. Shipping and Logistics specialist

   Average Annual Salary: $49,000
   Job Outlook: Logistician specialist jobs are projected to grow 30% with an additional 56,400 jobs added in the United States between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS

   Freight hauling and logistics can offer a variety of jobs. For confident drivers, driving jobs can range from operating a tractor-trailer to delivering mail. For those not comfortable driving, jobs can include package handler, load supervisor, and mail processor.

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6. Computer Programmer

   Average Annual Salary: $66,000
   Job Outlook: Computer programmer jobs are projected to decline 10% with 18,300 jobs lost in the United States between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS. However, the software development field is expected to grow 22% with 409,500 jobs added.

   Being a computer programmer could be an ideal career for you if you are interested in the digital world and you have high-functioning ASD. Programming is an ideal job if you enjoy coding, designing software or websites, and playing with computers.

   Many programmers work in an office but can also work from home if need be. Responsibilities include writing code, computer software, and troubleshooting and debugging that software.

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7. Data Analyst

   Average Annual Salary: $67,000
   Job Outlook: Data analyst jobs are projected to grow 14% and produce 118,300 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2018 and 2028, according to the BLS

   If you enjoy data and analysis, getting a job as a data analyst could be a dream come true. In this job, you look at large amounts of data on a topic and then form conclusions, charts, or reports based on that data. You must have math skills and be comfortable with programs like Excel, SharePoint, and SQL databases.

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8. Gardener

   Average Annual Salary: $47,000
   Job Outlook: Gardening jobs are projected to grow 9% and produce 115,300 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2018 and 2028, according to the BLS

   If you like being outside and working with your hands, a job in gardening or flower-arranging could be a great fit. Most gardeners are self-employees, but many also work for landscaping companies, especially in areas with lots of neighborhoods and homes.

   Others might be employed by schools, businesses, or a city. Responsibilities can include mowing, planting flowers, weeding, and trimming hedges.

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9. Librarian

   Average Annual Salary: $50,000
   Job Outlook: Librarian jobs are projected to grow 9% with an additional 13,000 jobs added in the United States between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS

   A position as a librarian is perfect if you love books. Librarians work at public, government, and school or university libraries. Responsibilities in this position include maintaining library collections, organizing documents, and checking books in and out.

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10. Mechanical Engineer

    Average Annual Salary: $72,000
    Job Outlook: Mechanical engineering jobs are projected to grow 7% with an additional 20,900 jobs added in the United States between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS

    Individuals who work as mechanical engineers must be able to use software skillfully and have good problem-solving skills. Mechanical engineers can help plan and manufacture new products.

    This job may be best suited for you if you have high-functioning ASD, as it requires working well on and communicating with a team.

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11. Meteorologist

    Average Annual Salary: $52,000
    Job Outlook: Meteorology jobs are projected to grow 8% and produce 800 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2018 and 2028, according to the BLS

    While the term meteorologist might make you think of the weather woman or man on your local news network, the majority of meteorologists do not present findings to a live television audience.

    Many meteorologists make observations and predictions about the weather, study historical data, and create weather-related graphs. These findings are then given to television meteorologists, newspapers, farmers, and others.

    Find Meteorologist jobs near me

12. Software Tester

    Average Annual Salary: $69,000
    Job Outlook: Software development jobs are projected to grow 22% with 409,500 jobs added in the United States between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS

    If you enjoy computers, software testing might be a great fit. They are responsible for testing new programs before they are released to clients or made available to the public. This requires high attention to detail while running automated and manual tests to ensure the software is free of bugs.

    Find Software Tester jobs near me

Common skills of people with ASD

Individuals on the autism spectrum have a wide range of skills, not unlike those without the disorder. These skills vary widely based on the individual’s abilities, interests, and education. However, many people with ASD commonly demonstrate one or more of the skills below that could be very valuable in specific career fields:

• Visually oriented: People with ASD are often strong visual thinkers. They often pay high attention to detail and easily spot mistakes or things others might miss. This makes them excellent at intricate work.

• In tune with animals: Because those with ASD can relate to an aversion to eye contact, loud noises, and over-stimulation, they are the perfect individuals to handle and understand animals. These individuals are typically especially attuned to the needs and desires of animals.

• Logical: Individuals with ASD are more likely to approach situations with logic instead of emotion. This is important, especially when making an objective decision. Autistic adults often are drawn to research and develop extensive knowledge in topics they are interested in.

• High technical aptitude: For individuals with ASD who are detail-oriented, technical skills come easily. Due to their attention to detail, those with autism have significant talent in learning how machines, systems, and programs work from top to bottom.

Best jobs for autistic adults FAQ

1. What jobs do adults with autism excel at?

   Computer programing, animal scientist, and librarian are some jobs adults with autism excel at. You should look for jobs that allow you to use your visual and logical skills.

2. Can adults with autism be successful?

   Yes, adults with autism can be successful. To help you be successful, you should look for jobs that you feel comfortable with. You should also try to focus on fields that relate to your skills. For example, if you are a logical thinker and you have good attention to detail, you should focus on computer coding jobs because you would be successful with those skills.

Author

Caitlin Mazur

Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.