30 careers ranked
Jobs Where You Work Alone Most of the Day (2026)
This ranks jobs by how little of the day involves other people, as reported by the workers who do them. The occupation with the least contact on the three measures below is Software Developer, at $135,980 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) with +10.2% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 30 occupations with the exact O*NET and BLS figures behind each one.
- Careers ranked
- 30From 1,731 in the bank
- Median pay on the list
- $78,760BLS OEWS, May 2025
- No degree needed
- 9 of 30BLS EP, 2025–2035
- Openings a year
- 894,700Combined, BLS EP
Method
How this list was built
- Three O*NET Work Context ratings (1–5) measure how much of a job involves other people: "Contact With Others" (how much the job requires talking to or working alongside people, in person or remotely) counts for 40%, "Face-to-Face Discussions" for 30% and "Deal With External Customers or the Public" for 30%. Each is reversed so that less contact scores higher.
- Two filters run before any scoring. The list is limited to the roughly 270 flagship occupations that carry a full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile and at least 50,000 US workers, so every row is a job that exists in volume and has a full profile page here. Each one must also report a BLS median at or above $50,980, the median for all US occupations (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That second rule is an editorial choice, not a data one: a work-environment score on its own fills the top of any list with the lowest-paid work in the economy, which is not an honest answer to anyone asking what to do next.
Our list of careers for introverts is close to this one but also uses O*NET's public-speaking rating, which this page-level ranking cannot reach. Use both: this one is the purer measure of time spent alone. Read the full methodology.
The list
The 30 jobs with the least contact with other people
- 1
1. Software Developer
Computer and Mathematical
49/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $135,980median a year
- Growth
- +10.2%
- Openings / yr
- 95,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.9
- Contact
- 3.0
- Face-to-face
- 1.9
- Public
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs.
- 2
2. Data Scientist
Computer and Mathematical
47/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $120,230median a year
- Growth
- +34.6%
- Openings / yr
- 24,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.1
- Contact
- 4.2
- Face-to-face
- 2.1
- Public
Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software.
- 3
3. Business Intelligence Analyst
Computer and Mathematical
45/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $120,230median a year
- Growth
- +34.6%
- Openings / yr
- 24,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.3
- Contact
- 4.2
- Face-to-face
- 2.0
- Public
Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports.
- 4
4. Cytogenetic Technologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
44/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $62,930median a year
- Growth
- +2.7%
- Openings / yr
- 20,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.5
- Contact
- 4.8
- Face-to-face
- 1.4
- Public
Analyze chromosomes or chromosome segments found in biological specimens, such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, solid tumors, and blood to aid in the study, diagnosis, classification, or treatment of inherited or acqu…
- 5
5. Search Marketing Strategist
Business and Financial Operations
44/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $78,760median a year
- Growth
- +7.0%
- Openings / yr
- 82,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.6
- Contact
- 4.0
- Face-to-face
- 2.1
- Public
Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces.
- 6
6. Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist
Business and Financial Operations
41/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $78,760median a year
- Growth
- +7.0%
- Openings / yr
- 82,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.6
- Contact
- 3.5
- Face-to-face
- 2.9
- Public
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets.
- 7
7. Actuary
Computer and Mathematical
40/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $130,000median a year
- Growth
- +9.2%
- Openings / yr
- 1,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.6
- Contact
- 4.5
- Face-to-face
- 2.0
- Public
Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits.
- 8
8. Welder
Production
40/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $53,750median a year
- Growth
- +2.4%
- Openings / yr
- 40,300
- Education
- High school
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.8
- Contact
- 4.3
- Face-to-face
- 2.0
- Public
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
- 9
9. Automotive Body and Related Repairer
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
39/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $54,890median a year
- Growth
- +3.7%
- Openings / yr
- 12,600
- Education
- High school
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.6
- Contact
- 4.4
- Face-to-face
- 2.3
- Public
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
- 10
10. Cytotechnologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
39/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $62,930median a year
- Growth
- +2.7%
- Openings / yr
- 20,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.4
- Contact
- 4.6
- Face-to-face
- 2.4
- Public
Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.
- 11
11. Histology Technician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
36/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $62,930median a year
- Growth
- +2.7%
- Openings / yr
- 20,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.9
- Contact
- 4.5
- Face-to-face
- 2.2
- Public
Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists.
- 12
12. Histotechnologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
36/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $62,930median a year
- Growth
- +2.7%
- Openings / yr
- 20,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.8
- Contact
- 4.4
- Face-to-face
- 2.4
- Public
Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples.
- 13
13. Industrial Machinery Mechanic
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
36/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $64,520median a year
- Growth
- +17.8%
- Openings / yr
- 44,400
- Education
- High school
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 4.2
- Contact
- 4.6
- Face-to-face
- 1.7
- Public
Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.
- 14
14. Sheet Metal Worker
Construction and Extraction
35/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $61,800median a year
- Growth
- +2.5%
- Openings / yr
- 9,800
- Education
- High school
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.7
- Contact
- 4.1
- Face-to-face
- 3.0
- Public
Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings.
- 15
15. Cost Estimator
Business and Financial Operations
34/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $78,740median a year
- Growth
- −3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 17,600
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.7
- Contact
- 4.5
- Face-to-face
- 2.8
- Public
Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service.
- 16
16. Machinist
Production
34/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $58,750median a year
- Growth
- +1.0%
- Openings / yr
- 26,100
- Education
- High school
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.8
- Contact
- 4.5
- Face-to-face
- 2.6
- Public
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal.
- 17
17. QA Analyst
Computer and Mathematical
34/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $104,300median a year
- Growth
- +5.7%
- Openings / yr
- 10,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 4.0
- Contact
- 4.7
- Face-to-face
- 2.1
- Public
Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes.
- 18
18. Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher
Construction and Extraction
33/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $57,020median a year
- Growth
- +1.6%
- Openings / yr
- 13,600
- Education
- No formal credential
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 4.0
- Contact
- 4.3
- Face-to-face
- 2.7
- Public
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools.
- 19
19. Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk
Office and Administrative Support
33/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $58,260median a year
- Growth
- −15.9%
- Openings / yr
- 11,400
- Education
- High school
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.8
- Contact
- 4.8
- Face-to-face
- 2.3
- Public
Compile and record employee time and payroll data.
- 20
20. Fuel Cell Engineer
Architecture and Engineering
32/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $104,110median a year
- Growth
- +11.2%
- Openings / yr
- 17,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.9
- Contact
- 4.6
- Face-to-face
- 2.5
- Public
Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.
- 21
21. Clinical Data Manager
Computer and Mathematical
31/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $120,230median a year
- Growth
- +34.6%
- Openings / yr
- 24,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 4.3
- Contact
- 4.1
- Face-to-face
- 2.8
- Public
Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.
- 22
22. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
31/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $62,930median a year
- Growth
- +2.7%
- Openings / yr
- 20,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 4.0
- Contact
- 4.1
- Face-to-face
- 3.0
- Public
Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
- 23
23. Network and Computer Systems Administrator
Computer and Mathematical
31/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $99,130median a year
- Growth
- −4.1%
- Openings / yr
- 13,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 4.2
- Contact
- 4.3
- Face-to-face
- 2.6
- Public
Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers.
- 24
24. Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Business and Financial Operations
31/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $80,730median a year
- Growth
- +3.8%
- Openings / yr
- 32,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 4.3
- Contact
- 4.2
- Face-to-face
- 2.6
- Public
Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations.
- 25
25. Computer User Support Specialist
Computer and Mathematical
30/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $61,860median a year
- Growth
- −3.5%
- Openings / yr
- 39,700
- Education
- Some college
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 4.4
- Contact
- 4.8
- Face-to-face
- 2.0
- Public
Provide technical assistance to computer users.
- 26
26. Police Identification and Records Officer
Protective Service
30/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $93,790median a year
- Growth
- +0.2%
- Openings / yr
- 7,800
- Education
- High school
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.7
- Contact
- 4.4
- Face-to-face
- 3.5
- Public
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
- 27
27. Accountant
Business and Financial Operations
29/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $83,680median a year
- Growth
- +5.0%
- Openings / yr
- 115,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.7
- Contact
- 4.5
- Face-to-face
- 3.4
- Public
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others.
- 28
28. Automotive Engineer
Architecture and Engineering
28/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $104,110median a year
- Growth
- +11.2%
- Openings / yr
- 17,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 3.9
- Contact
- 4.7
- Face-to-face
- 3.1
- Public
Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology.
- 29
29. Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Manager
Management
28/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $171,270median a year
- Growth
- +5.5%
- Openings / yr
- 14,900
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 4.1
- Contact
- 4.8
- Face-to-face
- 2.7
- Public
Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.
- 30
30. Computer Network Architect
Computer and Mathematical
28/100 environment fit- Median pay
- $134,050median a year
- Growth
- +7.7%
- Openings / yr
- 9,600
- Education
- Bachelor's
O*NET Work Context · 1–5
- 4.2
- Contact
- 4.5
- Face-to-face
- 2.9
- Public
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks.
Questions
Jobs where you work alone: FAQ
What jobs let you work alone?
Among well-paid occupations, the one with the least contact with other people on O*NET's ratings is Software Developer, at $135,980 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Technical, analytical and laboratory work fills most of the list, along with some skilled trades done solo.
Are there jobs with no human interaction at all?
Not among the large occupations in this bank. Even the lowest-contact roles involve colleagues, briefings or clients from time to time. The realistic goal is a job where most of the day is your own, and that is what the top of this list offers.
How was this list built?
Three O*NET Work Context ratings (1–5) measure how much of a job involves other people: "Contact With Others" (how much the job requires talking to or working alongside people, in person or remotely) counts for 40%, "Face-to-Face Discussions" for 30% and "Deal With External Customers or the Public" for 30%. Each is reversed so that less contact scores higher. Two filters run before any scoring. The list is limited to the roughly 270 flagship occupations that carry a full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile and at least 50,000 US workers, so every row is a job that exists in volume and has a full profile page here. Each one must also report a BLS median at or above $50,980, the median for all US occupations (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That second rule is an editorial choice, not a data one: a work-environment score on its own fills the top of any list with the lowest-paid work in the economy, which is not an honest answer to anyone asking what to do next. Full method: /careers/methodology.
What do these careers pay?
The middle career on this list pays $78,760 a year, against $50,980 for all US occupations (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The range runs from $53,750 to $171,270.
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