In the largest recent ranking of occupations by cognitive ability (Wolfram, 2023), physical scientists came first, with an estimated average IQ of about 114 — around the 83rd percentile. The figure rests on a small sample, scientists vary widely, and famous “genius IQ” numbers are mostly guesswork.
The data on scientists
| Group (Wolfram 2023, UK) | N | Est. mean IQ | 95% uncertainty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical scientists | 14 | 114.4 | ±6.8 |
| Higher education teachers | 125 | 111.4 | ±2.3 |
| Actuaries, economists & statisticians | 29 | 110.5 | ±4.7 |
| Medical radiographers | 29 | 108.9 | ±4.7 |
In Wolfram’s (2023) model-based ranking of 360+ UK occupations, physical scientists came out on top, at about 114, almost two standard deviations above the lowest-ranked group (packers, bottlers, canners and fillers, about 87). That is the clearest modern estimate for scientists, but it rests on a small sample (N = 14), so the true mean could plausibly be anywhere from about 108 to 121.
Older US data agree on the ranking. In Stewart’s (1947) Army AGCT analysis, chemists had a median of 127 on the AGCT scale, among the ten highest civilian groups. We could not find comparable verified figures for biologists, chemists or physicists separately in modern data.
Scientist IQ range
Even at the top of the occupational ranking, the spread inside the group is large. With a mean of about 114 and a typical SD of 13:
| IQ range | Physical scientists (model) | General population |
|---|---|---|
| below 90 | ~3% | 25% |
| 90–99 | ~10% | 25% |
| 100–109 | ~23% | 25% |
| 110–119 | ~30% | 16% |
| 120–129 | ~22% | 7% |
| 130 or above | ~12% | 2% |
Model: normal distribution around the estimated mean with SD 13, the average within-occupation spread implied by Wolfram (2023), where roughly three-quarters of IQ variance lay within rather than between occupations. Real distributions can be skewed.
What about famous scientists and “genius” IQs?
Internet lists of Einstein’s or Hawking’s IQ are guesses; neither is known to have taken a modern IQ test. The best-known longitudinal evidence on high-scoring children is Terman’s study, begun in 1921, whose selected participants did well on average, yet none won a Nobel Prize — while two boys reported to have been tested but not selected (William Shockley and Luis Alvarez) did. Scientific achievement draws on ability, but also on curiosity, persistence, training, collaborators, opportunity and luck.
Do you need a very high IQ to become a scientist?
Research careers require advanced degrees, which select for strong academic ability. The data suggest most working scientists score above average, often in the 105–130 range, but there is no cut-off, and a large share score near 100. Statistical and experimental skill, domain knowledge, writing, and the ability to sustain effort on uncertain problems for years are at least as important. For students, interest in a field is a far better guide than a test score.
How to read these numbers
Every number on this page comes with three caveats. First, the UK estimates are based on a short survey battery — word recall, number series, everyday numeric problems, serial subtraction and verbal fluency — rather than a full clinical IQ test, so they are less precise for individuals and tend to compress group differences. Second, they describe people working in an occupation at one time (2011–2013), not what the job requires. Third, they are averages: Hauser’s analysis of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study found that the correlation between occupation and measured ability was only moderate (about .39–.44), and that the spread of ability was almost as wide in high-status occupations as in others.
Sources
- Wolfram, T. (2023). (Not just) intelligence stratifies the occupational hierarchy: Ranking 360 professions by IQ and non-cognitive traits. Intelligence, 98, 101755. Occupation figures as tabulated in J. Thompson, “Minds and professions” (2023).
- Stewart, N. (1947). AGCT scores of Army personnel grouped by occupation. Occupations, 26, 5–41.
- Engen (1952), thesis, University of Detroit, summarising Stewart (1947) AGCT medians (accountant 130; chemist 127; medical student 127; engineering students 125–128 on the AGCT scale).
- Terman, L. M. (1916). The Measurement of Intelligence. Houghton Mifflin.
- Hauser, R. M. (2002). Meritocracy, cognitive ability, and the sources of occupational success. CDE Working Paper 98-07, University of Wisconsin–Madison (Wisconsin Longitudinal Study).
- Sackett, P. R., Zhang, C., Berry, C. M., & Lievens, F. (2022). Revisiting meta-analytic estimates of validity in personnel selection. Journal of Applied Psychology, 107(11), 2040–2068.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average IQ of scientists?
Physical scientists ranked highest of 360+ UK occupations in Wolfram (2023), with an estimated mean of about 114, based on a small sample of 14 people.
Which profession has the highest average IQ?
In Wolfram’s model-based UK ranking, physical scientists (about 114). Raw figures for some tiny groups, such as electrical engineers (N = 9), were higher but much less reliable.
What was Einstein’s IQ?
Unknown. Einstein never took a modern IQ test; widely quoted figures (often 160) are speculation.
Do you need an IQ of 130 to be a scientist?
No. Most scientists probably score between about 105 and 130, and many good scientists score near average.