12 Best Jobs For Autistic Adults

For those individuals with autism or Asperger’s syndrome, the job market can feel like a confusing and frustrating place. These individuals must find work that suits their strengths and interests. Each person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is unique, and no one’s experience with autism is the same, which can make job hunting that much harder.

Our list of jobs best suited for autistic adults can be for those who may be non-verbal or have additional challenges or those who are high-functioning. Of course, it will depend on what the individual feels they can handle and enjoy doing for a day’s worth of work. Below, we’ve listed some suggestions for the best jobs for adults with an autism spectrum disorder.

Best Jobs and Careers for People With Autism

Individuals with ASD will perform best in jobs or careers that help maximize their existing strengths. These jobs should also have flexibilities or ways to minimize their weaknesses. This means they should seek jobs that offer support and structure while requiring attention to detail.

Adults with autism should avoid work that regularly involves intense interpersonal work or short-term memory. Below are some of our suggestions for the best jobs for individuals with autism.

Animal Scientist

Average Annual Salary: $63,000

For individuals who enjoy working with pets, animal science is an ideal field to enter. Careers can include veterinary technicians, groomers, obedience trainers, dog walkers, or pet sitters. Those comfortable with farm animals could also consider a career as an equine trainer, livestock handler, or zookeeper.

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Accountant

Average Annual Salary: $52,000

An accounting job can be ideal for a high-functioning individual who enjoys math, finances, and crunching numbers. Accountants can work for companies, but sometimes they work for themselves too. They may fulfill tasks such as managing budgets, filing taxes, keeping balance sheets, and creating sales and cash flow reports.

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Actuary

Average Annual Salary: $84,000

These individuals work for insurance companies and use statistical analysis to determine how insurance companies can stay profitable, how likely an accident will occur, and what types of policies should cost more than others. These people work in office environments, like working with large numbers, and enjoy statistical data.

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Researcher

Average Annual Salary: $60,000

Individuals with autism can leverage their specific interests or passions to pursue a career in research. These individuals must be logical and unemotional to present the information they find without personal bias,

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Shipping and Logistics specialist

Average Annual Salary: $49,000

Freight hauling and logistics can offer a variety of jobs. For confident drivers, driving jobs can range from operating a tractor-trailer to delivering mail. For those not comfortable driving, jobs can include package handler, load supervisor, and mail processor.

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Computer Programmer

Average Annual Salary: $66,000

For those with high-functioning ASD, being a computer programmer could be an ideal career for those interested in the digital world. Programming is an ideal job for those who enjoy coding, designing software or websites, and playing with computers.

Many programmers work in an office but can also work from home if need be. Responsibilities include writing code, computer software, and troubleshooting and debugging that software.

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Data Analyst

Average Annual Salary: $67,000

For individuals who enjoy data and analysis, a data analyst could be a dream come true. These individuals look at large amounts of data on a topic and then form conclusions, charts, or reports based on that data. These employees must have math skills and be comfortable with programs like Excel, SharePoint, and SQL databases.

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Gardener

Average Annual Salary: $47,000

For individuals who like being outside and working with their hands, a job in gardening or flower-arranging could be a great fit. Most gardeners are self-employees, but many also work for landscaping companies, especially in areas with lots of neighborhoods and homes.

Others might be employed by schools, businesses, or a city. Responsibilities can include mowing, planting flowers, weeding, and trimming hedges.

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Librarian

Average Annual Salary: $50,000

For those who love books, a librarian might be a great fit. Librarians work at public, government, and school or university libraries. Their responsibilities include maintaining library collections, organizing documents, and checking books in and out.

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Mechanical Engineer

Average Annual Salary: $72,000

Individuals who work as mechanical engineers must be able to use software skillfully and have good problem-solving skills. Mechanical engineers can help plan and manufacture new products.

This job may be best suited for someone with high-functioning ASD, as it requires working well on and communicating with a team.

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Meteorologist

Average Annual Salary: $52,000

While the term meteorologist might make you think of the weather woman or man on your local news network, the majority of meteorologists do not present findings to a live television audience.

Many meteorologists make observations and predictions about the weather, study historical data, and create weather-related graphs. These findings are then given to television meteorologists, newspapers, farmers, and others.

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Software Tester

Average Annual Salary: $69,000

For individuals who enjoy computers, software testing might be a great fit. They are responsible for testing new programs before they are released to clients or made available to the public. This requires high attention to detail while running automated and manual tests to ensure the software is free of bugs.

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Common Skills of People With ASD

Individuals on the autism spectrum have a wide range of skills, not unlike those without the disorder. These skills vary widely based on the individual’s abilities, interests, and education. However, many people with ASD commonly demonstrate one or more of the skills below that could be very valuable in specific career fields:

Visually Oriented: People with ASD are often strong visual thinkers. They often pay high attention to detail and easily spot mistakes or things others might miss. This makes them excellent at intricate work.
In Tune With Animals: Because those with ASD can relate to an aversion to eye contact, loud noises, and over-stimulation, they are the perfect individuals to handle and understand animals. These individuals are typically especially attuned to the needs and desires of animals.
Logical: Individuals with ASD are more likely to approach situations with logic instead of emotion. This is important, especially when making an objective decision. Autistic adults often are drawn to research and develop extensive knowledge in topics they are interested in.
High Technical Aptitude: For individuals with ASD who are detail-oriented, technical skills come easily. Due to their attention to detail, those with autism have significant talent in learning how machines, systems, and programs work from top to bottom.

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Author

Caitlin Mazur

Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.

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