— Occupational IQ research
Nurses (RN) — average IQ & cognitive profile
— Don't just read about it
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Avg IQ
113
Percentile
81th
SD above mean
+0.87
Strongest axes
Verbal & Logical reasoning
Published occupational IQ research consistently places nurses (rn) at an average IQ of around 113 — the 81th percentile of the general adult population. This sits modestly above the population mean.
— Try one before you read on
Which number completes the sequence: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
Differences grow by 2 each time: +4, +6, +8, +10, +12 → 30+12=42.
That was 1 question. Take the full 20-min test →
Why nurses (rn) cluster at this level
→Pause. Find out YOUR IQ before you keep reading.Registered nurses average above the population mean. Nursing selects on a balance of verbal comprehension, quick decision-making under pressure, and applied reasoning.
What this number really means
→Curious how YOU score? 20-min calibrated test.An occupational IQ average is a statistical mean, not a hiring criterion. The within-profession standard deviation is typically 10-15 IQ points, which means:
- There are highly successful nurses (rn) scoring well above 128
- And highly successful nurses (rn) scoring well below 98
- Conscientiousness, domain knowledge, emotional regulation, and motivation account for far more variance in actual job performance than the difference between, say, IQ 115 and IQ 125 does
Find out YOUR exact IQ
Take a 20-minute calibrated test and see how you compare — not just on overall IQ, but across all six cognitive axes.
How to interpret your own score against this average
→The numbers above? Find out where YOU land.If you're considering this profession or already in it, here's how to read a personal IQ result in context:
- If you score 103–123: you're right in the typical range for nurses (rn)
- If you score above 128: you have meaningful cognitive headroom; you'll likely find the abstract demands of the role easier than peers
- If you score below 98: the profession is still entirely accessible to you — many nurses (rn) succeed at this level — but you may rely more on persistence, structured systems, and specialisation than peers do
Related profession comparisons
→Knowing about IQ ≠ knowing yours. Take the test.- Accountants — average IQ 114
- Teachers — average IQ 112
- Visual Artists — average IQ 114
- Professional Musicians — average IQ 116
- Programmers — average IQ 117