Average Lawyer IQ [2023] - Zippia (2024)

Average lawyer IQ research summary: Lawyers are a smart bunch, so you might expect the average lawyer’s IQ to be higher than the average person’s. Well, considering how much information they have to memorize, this theory might just be onto something.

If you’re a potential law student who wants to know more about the average lawyer’s IQ or a lawyer looking for that sweet confirmation bias, we’ve got you covered. We’ve investigated the average lawyer’s IQ, and according to our research:

• The average lawyer’s IQ is between 115 and 130.

• Lawyers have an average IQ between 17% to 33% higher than the average American

• The IQ of lawyers is similar to doctors, who have an average IQ of 125.

Average lawyer IQ

What is IQ?

IQ is a measurement of someone’s intelligence based on verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, memory, and processing speed. Historically, this score has often been utilized to gauge a person’s level of intelligence.

Studies show that around 50% of the population have an IQ between 90 and 110. Conversely, highly intelligent minds like Albert Einstein are theorized to have had IQs between 205 and 225. Individuals with scores surpassing 100 are generally considered above the average intelligence level, whereas those scoring below 100 are typically regarded as having below-average intelligence.

However, it’s ultimately important to note that IQ is just one tool for measuring intelligence that has significant limitations. More specifically, IQ is incapable of measuring practical or emotional intelligence, as well as creativity.

The average lawyer’s IQ

The average lawyer’s IQ falls between 115-130, which is 17% to 33% higher than the average American. More specifically, lawyers in the 25th percentile have IQs of 109, those in the 50th percentile have IQs of 114, and those in the 75th percentile have IQs of 124. For context, here are some other positions with similarly high IQs:

High IQ professions

It’s speculated that lawyers and workers in these other fields may have higher-than-average IQs due to the demands of their work. Memorizing and understanding numbers and patterns is a crucial component of all these positions.

Lawyer IQ over time

Over time, the average lawyer’s IQ has shifted closer to the average. And no, this isn’t a sign that lawyers are getting less intelligent.

Instead, this showcases how the legal field has become more extensive and varied in its hiring practices. Today, a broader range of factors and qualities are considered when selecting individuals for the profession, and outstanding academic records or the universities attended, as well as IQ scores, are no longer the top priority.

Average lawyer IQ FAQ

1. Can you be a lawyer with a 105 IQ?

   Yes, it is more than possible to become a lawyer with a 105 IQ, even if less common. Lawyers in the 25th percentile have an IQ of 109, which means that with studying and dedication, someone with an IQ of 105 stands a chance of becoming a lawyer.

   However, this doesn’t mean the task wouldn’t be difficult. Lawyers, on average, have an IQ between 115-130, which is about the 90th percentile of all people. That means the average lawyer scores higher on an IQ test than 90% of the people.

2. Are lawyers highly intelligent?

   Yes, lawyers are highly intelligent in many aspects. In particular, lawyers excel in cognitive intelligence, such as linguistics, logical, and mathematical intelligence. Interestingly though, many lawyers actually score below average in emotional intelligence.

3. Are most lawyers introverts or extroverts?

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   Most lawyers are actually introverts. Approximately 60% of all lawyers are introverts. This may seem to contradict their role of putting on a show in front of a courtroom, but this fact actually aligns with their tendency to have more cognitive intelligence than emotional intelligence.

Conclusion

Lawyers are highly intelligent professionals with an average IQ of between 115-130. This puts them in the 90th percentile for IQ scores, and makes the average lawyer’s IQ score 17% to 33% higher than the average American.

As far as IQ scores go, lawyers are on par with other cognitive and mathematical professionals, such as doctors and mathematicians.

However, lawyers tend to score below average on emotional intelligence tests, showing the limitations of using IQ to gauge intelligence. Overall, many lawyers have their individual strengths and weaknesses, and IQ shouldn’t prevent you from pursuing your goals as a job seeker.

References

1. ABA – Emotional Intelligence for Lawyers – American Bar Association