As an empath, do you frequently find yourself confused about your place in the world?
It’s funny that most empaths take time to recognize this incredible gift. Most people realize that they are empaths accidentally. Discovering this ability can cause anxiety as you wonder what you should do with your life.
Luckily, I’m here to help you understand your gift and make good use of it. In this article, you will learn how to find your place in the world and then discover the 15 best jobs you can find as an empath.
But first, let’s start with a quick definition…
What Are Empaths?
These are people who have a lot of empathy. When an empath tells you that they know what you are going through in times of sorrow or trouble, they mean it. All empaths go through a tough time when they try not to care about a situation.
This high sensitivity at times is draining. That’s why most empaths have to have a stable mindfulness schedule to recharge.
Typical characteristics that empaths possess include caring deeply for all personalities, deep love for nature, high sensitivity, strong intuition, and easily overwhelmed. Empaths need to have boundaries not to make a decision that doesn’t align with their values.
That’s why I cannot fail to recognize that empaths face many challenges, especially when looking for a job.
Challenges That Empaths Face When Looking for a Job
Most empaths struggle with their daily lives. It is because they are always picking up on other people’s emotions and absorbing them. As an empath, you cannot differentiate your own emotions and those that belong to other people in worse cases.
That’s why some people feel the gift is a blessing and a curse. As an empath, you struggle to say no. well, as much as you care about others, you should also care about your well-being.
It is hard to leave the house and work in a crowded office, being an empath. But, if your job is essential, try and focus on its benefit rather than your feelings. Most empaths are misunderstood as lazy for being always tired. The truth is thinking about other people’s emotions is overwhelming.
So you can manage by exercising, meditating, or identifying a mindfulness app that will help you keep calm. But despite all these challenges, empaths need to earn a living. So which are the careers suitable for empaths?
15 Best Jobs for Empaths
1. Nurse
Empaths are people in the category of natural caregivers. They are attracted to the people in need. Considering that an empath always has a strong urge to assist people who need help, a nurse is a great choice. As a nurse, you will get an opportunity to take care of those who are unwell and, in return, make you feel relaxed.
Basic Overview: Nursing is a career in the health sector that involves taking care of communities, families, or individuals. In most cases, nurses work alongside therapists, doctors, or any other personality who works in illness treatment centers. Nurses can work in both the private and public sectors.
Average Salary: $48,690 – $104, 100 annually
Education Requirement: The qualification to become a nurse in the USA vary depending on the state you will work. In most cases, the board of nursing in the USA delegates these regulations. For you to become a nurse, you should start by undertaking a bachelor's degree. After you acquire your degree, you will then sit the licensing examination.
How to get started: You can get started as a nurse by earning a nursing degree and passing the board examination to become a registered nurse. After that, you should obtain a license and seek employment. Later you can choose a specialty and enhance your career.
2. Psychologist
One happy career for empaths is a psychologist. As is the case with nurses, they also assist people who have mental health problems. It is an excellent career for you as an empath since you can connect and comprehend emotional suffering.
Basic Overview: Psychologists are people who study both normal and abnormal behavior. As a psychologist, you can access human behavior by listening and observing them. After training, you can decide to work independently or collaborate with a health team.
Average Salary: $60,000 – $120, 000
Education requirement: Basically, you will study for six years to become a psychologist. You will start with a bachelor's degree in psychology. After that, get a doctorate or masters in psychology. Once you complete your doctorate or master's, you have to enroll in a postdoctoral program or an internship.
How to get started: To get started as a psychologist in the USA, you have to undertake the steps highlighted above. After you have obtained a postdoctoral program or an internship, you should apply for a license. A psychology license varies depending on the state at hand—the essential requirements for attaining the education requirements and passing an ASPPB examination.
3. Veterinarian
As I highlighted earlier, empaths love nature. They do not just value and take care of human beings; they appreciate and care about all living things. Empaths can comprehend what animals feel about their surroundings. Being a vet will be a promising career where you can comfort and heal sick animals and soothe their owners.
Basic Overview: Veterinarians are people who earn a living by taking care of and protecting animals. They not only diagnose animal diseases but also research medical conditions that affect various pets. Veterinarians examine, treat, conduct surgery, and operate on sick animals.
Average Salary: $73,580 – $122,180
Education Requirement: To become a veterinary, you should acquire an accredited veterinary science degree from a recognized university. You can also earn a career by obtaining any relevant degree such as veterinary bioscience or animal science. In case you take the second option, you have to pursue another degree: Doctor of Veterinary medicine.
How to get started: The journey to becoming a veterinarian starts with pursuing the above courses. Once done, you will seek a license of practice. The core qualification of acquiring the license is passing on the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam.
Once you have the license, you are at liberty to choose whether you should start by getting experience in the field before you seek a more permanent position. Most veterinarians work in private clinics working with small animals, while others specialize in working with bigger animals.
4. Teacher
A teacher is a person who dedicates their entire life to assist students in achieving their dreams. As an empath, you will be a good teacher because you have a natural loving heart and always ready to help. If you pursue a career as a teacher, you will be able to change your student’s life by motivating and supporting them.
Basic Overview: A teacher is often known as an educator. They are people who help students acquire virtues and become competent or gain good values. Teachers' key role is to give instructions in a classroom and ensure students learn as per the syllabus. Teachers are free hired mentors, surrogate parents, and counselors.
Average Salary: $ 30,036 – $58,950
Education Requirement: The education requirement for teachers may differ depending on the level you teach. You will have to pursue an undergraduate degree. Here you will specialize depending on the education level you would like to teach. To qualify for the bachelor's degree, you will have to attain a minimum SAT score and GPA.
Where to get started: After you attain your undergraduate teaching degree, you will undertake various exams and assessments depending on the specialty area. These assessments differ depending on the state you are in. Therefore you should ensure you have met your state teaching licensure requirements to get a license. Later you will pursue graduate studies to become certified teachers.
5. Life Coach
When you are an empath, you feel good when people become better. This feeling makes a life coach a suitable career.
Basic Overview: Life coaches are people who dedicate their lives to a wellness professional to help attain greater fulfillment and become better. They do this by targeting gifts and skills.
Average Salary: $46,678 -$92,000
Education Requirement: unlike other careers, I have highlighted earlier, there are no strict requirements to qualify as a life coach. Depending on your aspiration, you may require to earn degrees in psychology or counseling.
How to get started: After acquiring the credentials, you will have to meet the state's requirements to begin practicing. It will depend on where you live. You will require to be licensed or certified to get started. After you have set up your business, you should obtain business insurance for protection.
6. Social Worker
As an empath, you are a perfect fit to become a social worker because your purpose is to make a difference in every person you interact with. But in this career, you ought to be careful because naturally, you are built to thrive on happiness. And at times, people will disappoint you by ruining their lives no matter what you do to assist them.
Basic Overview: A social worker is someone who purposes to assist people in improving their well-being. In most cases, social workers focus on helping the vulnerable in society or the oppressed.
Average Salary: $61,230 – $90,800
Education Requirement: Acquiring a bachelor's degree in a social worker course is the first step to start a career with a bachelor’s degree. After that, it would be best if you chose a specialty at the graduate level.
How to get started: After you finish graduate school, you should complete an internship at a social organization or a government agency. The internship is an excellent opportunity to learn from other experienced social workers, after which you should meet your state qualifications to earn a license.
7. Artist
For you to become a good artist, you have to view perspectives differently from others. As an empath, you can become a great artist because you can use your abilities to come up with beautiful artwork. The passion and emotion in your mind is a good inspiration for your artworks.
Basic Overview: Artists are people who create art for a living. Artwork can be drawings or sculptures.
Average Salary: $47,470 – $ 64,951
Education Requirement: As long as you have a talent for drawing, you do not have to undertake formal schooling to become an artist. Nevertheless, you can still obtain a bachelor's degree in fine arts or a master's degree.
How to get started: You can start your career by developing your artistic skills. I would recommend you open up a station spec so that you can shower case your art. It is good to find your artistic voice, which will inspire you all along. More importantly, learn how to run a business because, as an artist, you will be your own boss.
8. Musicians
As an empath, you will easily create beautiful songs. Moreover, you will be able to connect emotions with lyrics. As you know, the more feelings you express in music, the more your listeners will connect with it.
Basic Overview: A musician is someone who plays musical instruments, composes songs, or performs music. They are often referred to as artists, singers, or instrumentalists and use their skills to play different types of songs: classical, rock, and blues. You can decide to do music full time or part-time.
Average Salary: $41,425 – $ 52,349
Education Requirement: Just like an artist, you can make music without any education credentials. Or you can pursue a degree in arts in music. You ca n also go for training to learn how to play different types of musical instruments.
How to get started: You can get started by making up your mind on whether you would like to do a major record label or independent music. It is important to note that music is business, and at times, you can be rejected. It’s necessary to build your brand and find a mentor to guide you all along. More importantly, hold on to your passion.
9. Guidance and Counselor
A counselor is a career that will help you assist and mentor both young adults and children. It is a good idea to be school guidance and counselor. As an empath, you can quickly identify with the needs and wants of students. Ultimately, guiding them to better paths.
Basic Overview: Generally, guidance and counselor helps students make informed personal and educational decisions through advice.
Average Salary: $43,210-$73,740
Education Requirement: You should start by acquiring a bachelor’s degree in any educational field. Masters should follow it in school counseling.
How to get started: You can get started by attaining a license and passing any other required examinations for certification. Licensure requirements may differ depending on the state.
10. Hospitality
If you're good at understanding and helping people, you’ll be perfect for a job in the hospitality industry. These jobs often involve working with people and making sure they have a great experience, and if you're an empathetic person, you might be especially good at it.
Plus, creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere can make a difference for guests and make their stay more enjoyable.
Basic Overview: Hospitality workers are in charge of ensuring guests have a good time. That means taking care of them, checking them in, getting them their food and drinks, or cleaning their rooms. They also must work well with others and stay calm, even when things get hectic. It's all about keeping the customers happy.
Average Salary: $39,000 to $102,500 annually
Education Requirements: For most hospitality jobs, you'll probably need at least a high school diploma. But if you want to climb the ladder, you’ll need a hotel and restaurant management degree or culinary arts degree. And even if you don't have a degree, getting some experience through internships or part-time jobs can't hurt.
How to get started: If you're considering starting a hospitality career, you should figure out what kind of job you want. Do you want to work in a hotel, a restaurant, or something else? Begin looking for openings and getting experience (like internships or part-time jobs). It'll also help if you have some education, like a degree in hotel and restaurant management or culinary arts.
11. Recruiter
People who are searching for jobs need support and guidance. As a recruiter, you'll be responsible for finding suitable candidates for job openings. Empaths are naturally compassionate and caring, making you great at supporting candidates through the hiring process.
Being a recruiter can be a gratifying career for an empath because the profession sets others up for success.
Basic Overview: To be a recruiter, you'll need to be able to find suitable candidates for job openings and help them land the gig. That means you'll need to be good at finding and reaching out to people, and you'll need to be able to listen to what they're looking for. All in all, being a recruiter is all about matching the right people with the right jobs.
Average Salary: $45,909 – $70,102
Education Requirements: To be a recruiter, you don't necessarily need a specific degree or certification. That being said, it can help to have some education in a related field, like human resources or business.
This can give you a better understanding of the job market and what different companies are looking for in candidates. Plus, it'll make you a more competitive candidate when applying for jobs.
How to get started: If you're interested in becoming a recruiter, you first should figure out what kind of recruiting you want to do. Do you want to work in a specific industry, like tech or finance? Once you know what you want, you'll need to build your network. Connect with people in the industry, attend job fairs and career events, and join professional organizations.
12. Event Coordinator
Sharing excitement with others is a beautiful, empathetic trait. That’s why event planning is a great career path for empaths. You’d be responsible for planning and organizing events that can be high stress.
You take that stress off of others so they can enjoy the event's benefits. Whether it’s a wedding, graduation, or birthday, an event coordinator will strive to give people the best experience.
Basic Overview: Event coordinators manage various details, like finding a venue, hiring vendors, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on the event's day. You'll also need to be able to work with a budget and make sure you're staying on track.
All in all, it's a lot of work, but it can also be gratifying when everything comes together, and you see your clients having a great time.
Average Salary: $31,062 to $45,569
Education Requirements: While it's not necessarily required, a degree in a related field like event planning can give you a leg up when looking for jobs. Taking courses in communication can help coordinate and connect with people in the industry. Also, a business degree can help you build a client base and eventually start your own business.
How to get started: It’s a good idea to keep up with pop culture and current trends. Take note of famous event coordinators and learn from their expertise. You'll also want some hands-on experience, like internships or part-time jobs.
This will allow you to build your skills and ensure this career is right. And don't forget to brush up on your organizational and communication skills!
13. Actor
Empaths have a unique ability to feel and understand others' emotions, which can be a huge asset in acting. They can easily tap into their emotions and use them to bring authenticity and depth to their performances.
Empaths also have great intuition and can pick up on subtle cues and body language, which can help them create realistic and convincing characters. All of these traits can help an empath excel in an acting career.
Basic Overview: Acting jobs can vary greatly, but some general requirements for actors include the ability to memorize lines, rehearse and perform in front of an audience or camera, and effectively convey emotions and character traits.
In addition, actors may need to work well with directors, producers, and other actors to create a successful production.
Average Salary: $35,734 to $85,117
Education Requirements: There is no official education requirement for actors but many benefit from formal and higher education. Receiving a master’s degree at a performing arts college can provide valuable training in techniques such as voice, movement, and stage presence, as well as opportunities for students to perform in front of an audience. Some actors also take private lessons or workshops to develop their craft.
How to get Started: First, consider taking acting classes or workshops to develop your skills and gain experience performing in front of an audience. Next, create a resume and headshot to use when auditioning for roles. It can also be helpful to find an agent or casting director to represent you and help you find acting opportunities.
Remember, getting started as an actor can take time and perseverance, but with hard work and dedication, it is possible to turn your passion for acting into a successful career.
14. Massage Therapist
Empaths are great at creating a safe and comfortable environment, which is essential for a massage therapist. Their natural caring and compassionate nature make them good at putting people at ease and helping them relax.
An empath would be a great massage therapist because they have the right combination of skills and personality to connect with and help their clients.
Basic Overview: Massage therapists are trained to listen to their clients and figure out what they need, whether deep tissue massage to work out knots or a relaxing Swedish massage to help them unwind. They also need to create a safe and comfortable environment for their clients and ensure they use proper techniques to avoid hurting anyone.
Average Salary: $48,869 to $62,709
Education Requirements: Most states require massage therapists to have a license. Which means you’ll need to graduate from an accredited massage therapy school and pass a certification exam. Also, you’ll need to take continuing education classes to keep your license current. Getting some hands-on experience through internships or part-time jobs is also a good idea to help you build your skills and ensure this is the right career for you.
How to get started: Education is the first step in becoming a massage therapist. Research schools in your area to receive your license. Once you have a license, you can begin working at a local massage therapy location and start a client base. The location where you choose to work can help you find clients and offer advice as you begin your career.
15. Advocate
If you're interested in making a difference and fighting for the rights and interests of others, a career in advocacy might be a great fit for you.
Empaths have strong communication skills and can effectively advocate for others, using their intuition and understanding of people to convey the needs and concerns of those they represent effectively. All of these traits can make empaths excel in a career in advocacy.
Basic Overview: Advocates work to promote and protect the rights of individuals or groups, often by lobbying for policy changes or speaking out on social issues. They may work in non-profit organizations, government agencies, or private consulting firms and specialize in healthcare, education, or human rights.
Average Salary: $41,503 – $48,820
Education Requirements: There's no one-size-fits-all education path for a career in advocacy. Some advocates might have a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field like social work, political science, or public policy.
Others might have a degree in a different area and gain advocacy experience through internships or volunteer work. In general, it's helpful to have vital research and writing skills and strong communication and interpersonal skills.
How to get started: Learning about the issues you care about and want to advocate for is essential. This could involve reading articles and books, attending conferences and seminars, and joining advocacy groups or organizations.
Getting a degree in a related field or gaining practical experience through internships or volunteer work might also be helpful. With hard work and a passion for social justice, you can turn your interests into a meaningful and rewarding career in advocacy.
Final Thoughts on Jobs for Empaths
There are careers that you can thrive as an empath and, at the same time, utilize the gift. Nevertheless, there is no specific career ideal for all empaths. You can settle for any of the careers I have mentioned depending on how it makes you feel.
Additionally, there are no jobs that are excessively bad for empaths. But, if you settle for the wrong career, your emotions can be depleted. It is necessary to choose a job that can limit the adverse effects.
Hopefully this article was helpful for finding your direction in this often confusing world.
Finally, if you want to find the best career for your personality, then take this FREE career test that matches your personality and interests to real-world careers.
