Highest Paying Careers for Realistic People
Do you love working with your hands? Do you enjoy finding practical solutions to complex problems?
For many realistic people, office jobs will feel abstract and meaningless—leaving them feeling bored and empty rather than fulfilled and purposeful. But there are a wealth of positions that do the opposite, allowing these logical thinkers to thrive and excel. And better yet, many of them are very well-paid.
Individuals with this personality type tend to do best when working on hands-on projects with clear consequences. They are goal-oriented and rigorous, happiest when using their powerful problem-solving skills to create solutions that work. Although these practical thinkers can collaborate with other team members, they are most productive when working independently. This unique mix of skills and attitudes makes realistic people ideally suited to careers in trades and technical industries.
Here are CareerExplorer's Top-Paying Careers for Realistic People
This article will be covering the following careers:
| Career | Avg Salary | Satisfaction | Your Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ship Engineer | $64k | 3.1/5 | |
| Avionics Technician | $51k | 3.1/5 | |
| Hydroelectric Plant Technician | $65k | ?? | |
| Private Detective | $60k | 3.5/5 | |
| Firefighter | $32k | 3.8/5 | |
| Carpenter | $24k | 3.1/5 | |
| Audio Visual Technician | $27k | 3.2/5 | |
| Broadcast Engineer | $51k | 3.4/5 | |
| Truck Driver | $52k | 2.8/5 |
Are these careers suited to you? Our comprehensive career test measures your personality traits and interests and matches you to over 800 careers.
1. Ship Engineer
Ship engineers are responsible for ensuring that the various mechanical components of a commercial, military, or research ship are functioning smoothly. Although they may supervise other technicians, the also have a lot of autonomy in their work, making this an ideal fit for independently minded people. On a day-to-day basis, ship engineers test and repair a variety of different components, including electronic equipment, propeller shafts, and engines. The hands-on nature of this role makes it both highly engaging and satisfying job for practical thinkers.
Ship Engineer
A ship engineer is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of a ship's mechanical and electrical systems.
2. Avionics Technician
Avionics technicians are highly trained specialists with a strong understanding of electronic maintenance. They spend much of their day monitoring and repairing the various instruments aboard an aircraft to ensure everything is running smoothly, as well as installing radios, passenger entertainment systems, antennas, and navigation systems. Solutions-focused and meaningful, a career as an avionics technician is perfect for pragmatic minds.
Avionics Technician
An avionics technician specializes in the maintenance and repair of electronic systems in aircraft.
3. Hydroelectric Plant Technician
Hydroelectric plant technicians perform a variety of tasks related to water power distribution and generation. They are also responsible for identifying and resolving problems within the plant itself, making this position a great option for analytical thinkers. This career is labour intensive and potentially dangerous, involving a heavy machinery that must be followed with the utmost care. Realistic, detail-oriented individuals excel in this line of work.
Hydroelectric Plant Technician
A hydroelectric plant technician is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment and systems within a hydroelectric power plant.
4. Private Detective
Private detectives are sharp, analytical and rigorous workers. They use their cleverness to uncover hidden information about a wide range of legal, personal, and financial issues—a task that requires them to be goal-oriented and logical in their thinking. The best private detectives are also thorough and efficient. They're not afraid to get their hands dirty, and will do what it takes to get the job done.
Private Detective
A private detective is hired by individuals, businesses, or legal entities to conduct investigative tasks on a private basis.
5. Firefighter
Physical and often risky, a career in firefighting isn't for everyone. But for those who are able to keep their cool in high pressure situations, this can be an exciting line of work. Firefighters are almost always the first officials on the scene of major accidents and emergencies, which is why they're often referred to as "first responders". They have to think quickly and rationally in order to effectively stop, prevent, and contain fires and other catastrophes.
Firefighter
A firefighter is responsible for responding to emergency situations involving fires, hazardous materials, medical emergencies, and other disasters.
6. Carpenter
Working at the heart of the construction industry, carpenters are highly skilled, technically-minded craftsmen. They enjoy getting their hands dirty and coming up with alternative solutions, using their specialized training to create everything from cabinets to building frameworks. Many work as independent-contractors, making this a perfect line of work for many realistic people.
Carpenter
A carpenter specializes in working with wood to construct, install, and repair structures and objects.
7. Audio Visual Technician
At the most basic level, audio and video equipment technicians set up and fix electrical equipment required for video and audio displays. They work with everything from home theatre systems to professional video projectors and monitors, assuring that the sound levels and display are functioning optimally. This often involves detail-oriented tasks such as calibrating complex electrical instruments or taking apart equipment to replace defunct wiring—making this career a perfect fit for practically minded individuals.
Audio Visual Technician
An audio visual technician is responsible for the setup, operation, and maintenance of audio and visual equipment used in various events, presentations, and productions.
8. Broadcast Engineer
Found in radio, television, and recording studios, broadcast and sound engineering technicians install, maintain, and operate the electrical equipment that makes sound recordings, films, and radio broadcasts possible. With both advanced technical abilities and an appreciation of high quality audio, these professionals tend to be sensible, down-to-earth individuals who know how to get the job done.
Broadcast Engineer
A broadcast engineer is responsible for designing, installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting the technical infrastructure used in television, radio, and other broadcast facilities.
9. Truck Driver
Truck drivers are responsible for transporting essential goods and materials from producers to consumers. They spend long hours alone on the road, driving to and from retail and distribution centres, which makes this career ideally suited to people who enjoy solitary, practical work.
Truck Driver
A truck driver is responsible for transporting goods over long distances using large commercial vehicles, typically tractor-trailers or semi-trucks.