The 18 best jobs for people with an incredible memory
Can you recall what you ate for lunch last week? Do you remember the names of most people you meet? Do you know every word to every song you've ever loved? If so, you probably have a great memory — and this is a very valuable trait in the job market since many jobs require workers to memorize words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
We recently combed through the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a US Department of Labor database that compiles detailed information on hundreds of jobs, to find the positions with a high "memory importance" score. We then looked at salary data on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website to see how much each position pays.
O*NET ranks how important "the ability to remember information" is in any job, assigning each a score between one and 100. Positions that require a lot of memorization receive a higher score.
Here are 18 jobs with a memory-importance score of 53 or higher:
Radio or television announcer
Average salary:$44,030
Memory importance score: 53
Announcers present music, news, and sports and may provide commentary or interview guests about these or other important topics.
Adult basic and secondary education and literacy teacher or instructor
Average salary:$52,830
Memory importance score: 53
Adult basic and secondary education and literacy teachers and instructors teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in remedial education classes, preparatory classes for the General Educational Development test, literacy, or English as a Second Language.
Elementary school teacher
Average salary:$56,830
Memory importance score: 53
Elementary school teachers teach students basic academic, social, and other formative skills in public or private schools at the elementary level.
View photos of the 25 best jobs in America, according to employees:
Foreign language or literature teacher (postsecondary)
Average salary:$67,910
Memory importance score: 53
Foreign language and literature professors teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English.
Environmental engineer
Average salary:$86,340
Memory importance score: 53
Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control.
Agricultural sciences teacher (postsecondary)
Average salary:$90,100
Memory importance score: 53
Agricultural sciences professors teach courses in the agricultural sciences. This group of professionals includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation.
Bioinformatics scientist
Average salary:$90,160*
Memory importance score: 53
Bioinformatics scientists conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology, and medical informatics.
*This is the average annual salary for medical scientists, according to the BLS.
Robotics engineer
Average salary:$96,350*
Memory importance score: 53
Robotics engineers research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.
*This is the average annual salary for "engineers, all other" according to the BLS.
Education administrator (postsecondary)
Average salary:$101,910
Memory importance score: 53
Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities. Their job duties vary depending on the area of the college they manage, such as admissions, student life, or the office of the registrar.
Environmental economist
Average salary:$105,290*
Memory importance score: 53
Environmental economists conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. They evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
*This is the average annual salary for all economists, according to the BLS.
Nurse anesthetist
Average salary:$158,900
Memory importance score: 53
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. The scope of practice varies from state to state.
Allergist or immunologist
Average salary:$189,760
Memory importance score: 53
Allergists and immunologists diagnose, treat, and help prevent allergic diseases and disease processes affecting the immune system.
Middle school teacher
Average salary:$57,620
Memory importance score: 56
Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades. Middle school teachers help students build on the fundamentals they learned in elementary school and prepare them for the more difficult curriculum they will face in high school.
Instructional coordinator
Average salary:$64,040
Memory importance score: 56
Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, coordinate its implementation with teachers and principals, and assess its effectiveness.
Physicist
Average salary:$117,300
Memory importance score: 56
Physicists conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Clergy
Average salary:$47,730
Memory importance score: 63
Clergy conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. They also provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members.
Singer
Average salary:$67,579
Memory importance score: 63
Singers sing for live audiences and in recording studios.
Actor
Average salary: $77,542
Memory importance score: 72
Actors express ideas and portray characters in theater, film, television, and other performing arts media. They interpret a writer's script to entertain or inform an audience.
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