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.

OccupationImportanceLevelNational median wage
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians3.53.6$56,550
Tax Preparers3.53.6$54,920
Gas Plant Operators3.53.3$87,820
Compliance Officers3.53.6$80,730
Upholsterers3.53.1$46,340
Funeral Home Managers3.53.6$78,790
Wind Turbine Service Technicians3.53.1$64,120
Histology Technicians3.53.6—
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs3.53.6$54,210
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers3.53.9$48,520
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics3.53.8$50,620
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers3.53.4$52,720
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas3.53.1$58,620
Online Merchants3.53.9$83,050
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters3.53.5$63,800
Stonemasons3.53.3$57,390
Boilermakers3.53.0$76,410
Solar Energy Installation Managers3.53.6$79,920
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians3.53.4$35,450
Opticians, Dispensing3.53.9$47,260
Conservation Scientists3.53.8$73,010
Surveying and Mapping Technicians3.53.6$54,240
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians3.53.3$53,350
Correspondence Clerks3.43.8$46,800
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals3.43.0$36,670
First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand3.43.6—
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term3.43.3$41,670
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists3.43.6$95,480
Semiconductor Processing Technicians3.42.9$51,430
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels3.43.3$92,460
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services3.43.5$48,560
Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education3.43.0—
Animal Trainers3.43.4$39,990
Brokerage Clerks3.43.6$65,750
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage3.43.8$78,240
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians3.43.1$57,550
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel3.43.5$69,990
Museum Technicians and Conservators3.43.6$51,440
Medical Records Specialists3.43.3$51,140
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists3.43.5$35,790
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers3.43.1$51,320
Histotechnologists3.43.5—
Archivists3.43.9$64,550
Teaching Assistants, Special Education3.43.5—
Freight Forwarders3.43.4$52,260
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products3.43.8$104,920
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks3.43.6$59,650
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks3.43.6$44,390
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping3.43.6$50,610
Endoscopy Technicians3.43.1$48,430

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