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
File Clerks3.03.0$43,600
Gambling Cage Workers3.03.3$37,580
Billing and Posting Clerks3.03.0$48,500
Telephone Operators3.02.9$41,740
Telemarketers3.03.1$35,450
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians3.03.5$52,000
Demonstrators and Product Promoters3.03.0$39,320
Sailors and Marine Oilers3.03.0$51,520
Conveyor Operators and Tenders3.02.9$42,420
Subway and Streetcar Operators3.03.3$86,380
Maintenance Workers, Machinery3.03.0$60,850
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors3.03.0$47,160
Cooks, Restaurant3.03.1$37,390
Concierges3.03.5$38,950
Baggage Porters and Bellhops3.02.8$37,080
Dredge Operators3.02.8$49,640
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria3.02.9$37,450
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders3.02.9$58,870
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers3.03.0$33,580
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers3.03.0—
Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers3.02.9—
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers3.03.0$53,710
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters3.02.4$51,330
Team Assemblers3.02.9—
Butchers and Meat Cutters3.03.0$40,140
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers3.02.9$38,300
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers3.02.9$58,640
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders3.02.4$41,590
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.02.9$47,720
Musicians and Singers3.02.6—
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.03.0$46,330
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.03.0$49,080
Parking Enforcement Workers3.03.0$46,730
Light Truck Drivers3.02.8$44,860
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders3.03.0$54,430
Pourers and Casters, Metal3.03.0$51,810
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.02.6$44,350
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.03.1$47,180
Bailiffs3.03.1$56,600
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders3.03.0$47,920
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.03.0$48,750
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic3.03.1$63,870
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.02.8$43,960
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners3.02.8$50,060
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians3.03.1$45,570
Library Technicians3.03.3$44,580
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers3.02.9$37,800
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders3.02.5$35,650
Pharmacy Aides3.02.9$37,680

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