Careers for People With a Good Memory

Jobs That Require the Ability to Memorize Information

Can you easily memorize and later recall information including facts, figures, and procedures? Check out these careers for people with a good memory. See if one of them is right for you.

01
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Performer: Actor, Singer, Musician and Dancer

Ballet Dancer Dancing Against Gray Background
 Ivanov Alexandr/EyeEm/EyeEm

Actors, singers, musicians, and dancers use their talents to entertain others. Memorizing lines, lyrics, music, or dance choreography are all part of a performer's job. Without a good memory, it is impossible to succeed in the highly competitive life of a performer.

Performers usually spend years honing their crafts. While there aren't formal educational requirements, many earn a bachelor's degree.  

Median Hourly Earnings (2018): $17.54 (Actors); $28.15 (Musicians and Singers); $16.31 (Dancers)

Number of People Employed (2016):

  • Actors: 63,800
  • Singers and Musicians: 172,400
  • Dancers: 13,500

Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)

  • Actors: 12% (faster than the average for all occupations)
  • Singers and Musicians: 6% (faster than the average for all occupations)
  • Dancers: 5% (about as fast as the average for all occupations)

Projected Jobs Added (2016-2026): 

  • Actors: 7,400
  • Singers and Musicians: 10,400
  • Dancers: 600
02
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EMT and Paramedic

Paramedics in ambulance preparing medical equipment
 Zero Creatives/Cultura/Getty Images

EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) and paramedics provide onsite emergency care to individuals who suddenly become ill or who are injured. Since time is always of the essence when responding to an emergency, EMTs and paramedics must quickly be able to recall procedures they learned in training.

EMTs must complete a one or two-year post-secondary educational program in emergency medical technology. To become a paramedic, one must complete a paramedical training program that may result in earning an associate degree.

Median Annual Salary (2018): $34,320

Number of People Employed (2016): 248,000

Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 15% (much faster than the average for all occupations)

Projected Jobs Added (2016-2026): 37,400

03
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Teacher

Child raising hand singing with others and teacher in kindergarten
Westend61/RF/Getty Images 

Teachers help students learn and apply concepts in a variety of subjects. Not only must they memorize massive amounts of material that they will, in turn, impart to their students, they also have to be able to recall the best techniques for doing so. Also, teachers have to remember their students' names and their characteristics.

Median Annual Salary (2018): $93,280

Number of People Employed (2016): 31,500

Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 11% (faster than the average for all occupations)

Projected Jobs Added (2016-2026): 3,600

04
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Environmental Engineer

Serious scientist examining wind turbine model in laboratory
Hero Images/Hero Images/Getty Images

Environmental engineers use their knowledge of engineering, soil science, chemistry and biology to solve problems in the environment. They must be able to easily recall scientific and engineering principals and procedures to deal with public health issues, pollution control, and recycling.

To become an environmental engineer, one needs a bachelor's degree in environmental, civil, chemical, or general engineering.

Median Annual Salary (2018): $87,620

Number of People Employed (2016): 53,800

Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 8% (about as fast as the average for all occupations)

Projected Jobs Added (2016-2026): 4,500

05
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Judge

Midsection Of Judge Hammering On Gavel At Desk
Pattanaphong Khuankaew/EyeEm/Getty Images

Judges preside over trials and hearings including civil disputes and criminal cases, making sure they are handled fairly according to the law. They need an excellent working knowledge of the laws in the municipality in which the court is located.

Most judges are attorneys who are elected or appointed into their positions. To become an attorney, they must earn a law degree.

Median Annual Salary (2018): $133,920

Number of People Employed (2016): 28,400

Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 6% (about as fast as the average for all occupations)

Projected Jobs Added (2016-2026): 1,600

06
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Registered Nurse (RN)

Cropped image of nurse holding patient's hand
 Phil Boorman/Cultura/Getty Images

Registered nurses, also called RNs, provide medical care and advice to ill or injured individuals and their families. They have an extensive repository of knowledge that they must be able to access, often under extreme pressure. Not only must they remember what treatment protocols to follow, but they must also be able to carefully follow the procedures of the facility in which they work.

To become an RN, one must get an associate or bachelor's degree or a diploma in nursing.

Median Annual Salary (2018): $71,730

Number of People Employed (2016): Over 2.9 million

Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 15% (much faster than the average for all occupations)

Projected Jobs Added (2016-2026): 438,100

07
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Funeral Director

Coffin decorated with flowers
 mikedabell/E+/Getty Images

Funeral directors help families plan funerals. They make plans for wakes, services, and burials, and arrange transportation for the deceased and their next of kin. Funeral directors also file required paperwork with government agencies. In addition to recalling all the procedures to follow, they must also keep track of who's who in the deceased person's family.

Funeral directors need an associate degree in funeral service or mortuary science. Some employers prefer to hire applicants who have a bachelor's degree.

Median Annual Salary (2018): $52,650

Number of People Employed (2016): 28,700

Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 4% (slower than the average for all occupations)

Projected Jobs Added (2016-2026): 1,100

08
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Electrician

Electrician connecting wires
Dragan Smiljkovic/E+/Getty Images 

Electricians install and maintain electrical components, including wiring and fuses, in homes and businesses. They must be able to remember and access basic information about electricity and recall how to do installations safely and according to national and local codes.

Most aspiring electricians complete an apprenticeship that provides classroom instruction and paid on-the-job training. Some attend a technical school instead. 

Median Annual Salary (2018): $55,190

Number of People Employed (2016): 666,900

Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 9% (about as fast as the average for all occupations)

Projected Jobs Added (2016-2026): 59,600

09
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Athletic Coach

Coach with clipboard talking to teenage boy high school football team
 Hero Images/Hero Images/Getty Images

Athletic coaches teach professional and amateur athletes the fundamentals of various sports. A good memory allows them to remember rules, as well as the details about the players on their teams as well as opposing teams.

College and professional coaches need a bachelor's degree. It can be in any subject of their choice, but many study sports and fitness related subjects.

Median Annual Salary (2018): $33,780

Number of People Employed (2016): 276,100

Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 13% (faster than the average for all occupations)

Projected Jobs Added (2016-2026): 35,700

10
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Biochemist

Scientist experimenting with a chemical formula in the laboratory
 Andrew Brookes/Image Source/Getty Images

Biochemists study living organisms' chemical composition. Your memory will first be put to the test during your education. As you pursue your degree in biochemistry, you will spend a lot of time memorizing molecular structures and reactions.

A Ph.D. in biochemistry is required to work in a research and development position. Bachelor's and master's degree holders may qualify for some entry-level jobs.

Median Annual Salary (2018): $93,280

Number of People Employed (2016): 31,500

Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 11% (faster than the average for all occupations)

Projected Jobs Added (2016-2026): 3,600

11
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Sales Representative

Real estate agent meeting with prospective home buyer
 PhotoAlto/Frederic Cirou/PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections/Getty Images

Sales representatives' knowledge about the products and services they sell contributes significantly to their success as they demonstrate them to customers and convince them of their benefits. They must also know their clientele and be able to recall details about them during a sales call or presentation.

Most sales representatives need only a high school diploma. Those who sell technical or scientific products must have a bachelor's degree.

Median Annual Salary (2018): $58,510 (wholesale and manufacturing); $79,680 (technical and scientific)

Number of People Employed (2016): Over 8.1 million

Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 5% (about as fast as the average for all occupations)

Projected Jobs Added (2016-2026): 94,100