Critical Thinking Skills and Careers

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

910 occupations report this skill · Category: Essential Skills · O*NET element 2.A.2.a

Occupations reporting Critical Thinking

Importance and level are O*NET scale values. Ordered by reported importance. A skill rating does not indicate hiring outcomes.

Occupation	Importance	Level	National median wage
First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators	3.6	3.6	—
Recycling Coordinators	3.6	3.5	—
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders	3.6	3.3	$41,330
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	3.6	3.6	$50,690
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters	3.6	3.6	$78,000
First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers	3.6	3.9	$63,820
Chemical Plant and System Operators	3.6	3.5	$78,120
Power Distributors and Dispatchers	3.6	3.8	$106,730
Nuclear Technicians	3.6	3.4	$110,240
Commercial Divers	3.6	3.8	$72,990
Nannies	3.6	3.1	$34,980
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners	3.6	3.6	$46,420
Residential Advisors	3.6	4.0	$42,240
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	3.6	3.9	$87,520
Food Service Managers	3.6	3.8	$69,390
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	3.6	3.6	$96,590
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	3.6	3.5	$64,520
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	3.6	3.8	$61,010
Real Estate Sales Agents	3.6	3.8	$52,830
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property	3.6	3.5	—
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	3.6	3.0	$84,890
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	3.6	3.6	$107,230
Transportation Inspectors	3.6	3.5	$92,100
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators	3.6	3.0	$77,320
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers	3.6	4.1	$171,270
Psychiatric Technicians	3.6	3.8	$45,130
Dental Hygienists	3.5	3.1	$98,100
Medical Equipment Preparers	3.5	2.9	$47,700
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors	3.5	3.5	$61,540
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists	3.5	3.6	$78,350
Automotive Engineering Technicians	3.5	3.4	$74,510
Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors	3.5	3.6	$104,920
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	3.5	3.8	$72,080
Fire Inspectors and Investigators	3.5	3.8	$75,920
Electrical and Electronics Drafters	3.5	3.6	$76,870
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists	3.5	3.8	$81,390
Music Directors and Composers	3.5	3.8	$73,710
Bioinformatics Technicians	3.5	3.8	$81,490
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate	3.5	3.5	—
Animal Control Workers	3.5	3.5	$45,660
Web and Digital Interface Designers	3.5	3.5	$104,000
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles	3.5	3.1	$48,420
Bicycle Repairers	3.5	3.0	$42,780
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers	3.5	3.1	$47,810
Accountants and Auditors	3.5	3.5	$83,680
Audio and Video Technicians	3.5	3.8	$58,100
Radiation Therapists	3.5	3.8	$105,310
Sound Engineering Technicians	3.5	3.8	$73,130
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists	3.5	3.9	$100,330
Film and Video Editors	3.5	3.5	$75,420

Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.