10 Best Jobs for People with ADHD
According to the ADHD Foundation Australia, there are more than 1 million Australians who are living with ADHD. Fortunately, with proper diagnosis and ongoing treatment, you can manage daily stressors and symptoms, as well as find the right job that works for you.
With today’s evolved work culture, people with adhd can explore good jobs and fulfil their passions and career goals. There are also disability employment service providers, like Nexus, who help people with adhd find the best jobs that match their talents and skills.
Here, we’ll explore job opportunities listed based on their scope of work, flexibility, work environments, including requirements and salaries1 that may align with your needs and goals.
Please note this is a sample of jobs that may be suitable, but you are not limited to these roles. Please reach out to your employment coach to work out what is suitable to your individual situation.
1. Event Planner
Event planners do multiple tasks to create experiences and bring ideas to life. Working as an event planner is one of the best jobs for people with ADHD because it offers them an opportunity to be creative while enabling them to hyperfocus on a defined set of tasks.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Event Management or a related field
Average salary range: $74,580 to $84,666 per year
2. Artist
Hands-on creative jobs make good careers for people with ADHD. No matter the creative outlet from traditional to digital or multimedia art, this type of role enables you to express yourself freely while exploring different mediums.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts or a related field
Average salary range: $59,446 to $115,150 per year
3. Fire Fighter
If you thrive on fast-paced work, an emergency role such as firefighting may be a good fit for you. From the change of pace to quick problem-solving, a firefighter career will offer someone with ADHD continuous stimulation and ever-changing environments.
Requirements: Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency, First Aid Certificate, Mandatory Recruitment Testing, Recruitment Training
Average salary range: $60,209 to $100,596 per year
4. Salesperson
People who have ADHD are often described as friendly, energetic, and persuasive, making sales roles good options for ADHD jobs. This work involves regular social interactions and shifting social surroundings. It’s also suitable for those who experience moments of hyperactivity, as salespersons have to constantly interact and accomplish other several tasks during work hours.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Marketing
Average salary range: $60,000 to $117,500 per year
5. Therapist or Counselor
Working as a therapist or counsellor is an excellent role for someone with ADHD. In addition to a structured schedule and constant social interaction, the job allows you to process challenges from different individuals and use this experience to empathise with others.
Requirements: Master’s Degree in Psychology or Counseling or Social Work
Average salary range: $96,442 to $133,170 per year
6. IT Specialist
Problem-solving roles are great for people with ADHD who enjoy problem-solving dynamic challenges and expanding their learning. As an IT specialist, you can help companies with cyber security, software development and administration, including technology related issues.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or any related field
Average salary range: $88,215 to $139,375 per year
7. Fitness Instructor
If you appreciate active jobs and sports-related activity, then working as a fitness instructor may be a perfect fit. The role helps many people with ADHD channel and release energy to boost their mood and remain focused. It’s also a great outlet to tap into creativity and continue stimulation with social interaction.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology or any related field
Average salary range: $69,660 to $118,560 per year
From tastes and textures to navigating new recipes, working as a chef is one of the most creative (and task-oriented) jobs for people with ADHD to explore. It’s great for those who thrive in multitasking, detail-oriented work, and accomplishing tasks in high-pressure environments.
Requirements: Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery
Average salary range: $59,869 to $85,000 per year
9. Beautician
If you like to get creative in other ways, a beautician career is a good role that offers varied social interactions while keeping you on your feet and offering continuous stimulation. Working in a structured setting also makes client turnovers feel more seamless, even when working long hours.
Requirements: Certificate III in Beauty Services or Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy
Average salary range: $69,550 to $148,200 per year
10. Entrepreneur
Working as an entrepreneur is ideal for individuals who enjoy the rush of developing new ideas and business ventures. The job allows a person with ADHD to explore new roles and jobs, including the flexibility in accomplishing tasks and setting deadlines that work for themselves.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Business or any related field
Average salary range: $83,532 to $121,791 per year
More Jobs for People with ADHD
11. Copy Editor
Copy editing involves fixing grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors. It’s great for individuals who appreciate constant activity and thrive in working with fast deadlines.
12. Teacher
Teaching allows you to share your creativity while accomplishing simultaneous tasks. It also allows you to help students with ADHD overcome challenges and develop their strengths too.
13. Food Industry Worker
Some adults with ADHD flourish in the food industry because it makes room for creativity while accomplishing tasks and taking immediate steps to create a finished product.
14. Journalist
A career in journalism can be exciting and rewarding. The role involves covering a broad range of topics, interacting with a variety of people and dealing with day-to-day changes in work setting.
15. Nurse
Working as a nurse can help individuals with ADHD find a sense of structure to help them stay focused. It also allows them to channel their energy and find constant stimulation.
16. Hair Stylist
A hair stylist role would make an excellent career choice for those who enjoy meeting new clients and doing creative work with quick turnovers.
17. Theatrical Stage Manager
From meetings and rehearsals to performances, working as a theatrical stage manager can give you many opportunities to meet people and do various day-to-day tasks.
18. Graphic Designer
If you are looking for a creative outlet with flexible hours and work settings, a graphic designer career may match your interest to explore art and different mediums.
19. Data Analyst
Data analysts gather, cleanse, analyse data, and uncover business insights. It’s ideal for those who enjoy expanding their knowledge in various topics and problem solving.
20. Software Tester
As a software tester, you’ll be involved in conducting automated and manual tests to check the quality of software development and deployment and resolve any issues.
Jobs to Avoid for People with ADHD
While every job is an opportunity, there are career options that tend to be better or worse matches for people with ADHD. These jobs do not always determine or limit what people with ADHD are capable of, but they can present some challenges because of the nature of work involved.
1. Air Traffic Controller
This job requires a high degree of focus while multitasking and quick decision-making. While a fast-paced environment works well with some people with ADHD, intense focus is required for this job making it a bit more challenging.
2. Medical Coder
People with ADHD need constant stimulation. Working as a medical coder may be too repetitive as the role involves assigning codes to medical diagnoses and procedures for billing purposes.
3. Librarian
Being a librarian can be challenging for someone with ADHD because it requires a lot of sitting for extended periods of time. This role may be too stagnant for those who like to stay in motion and perform various tasks.
4. Assembly Line Worker
This role involves working on a production line, performing repetitive tasks such as assembling or packaging products.
5. Accountant
Working as an accountant requires a lot of attention to detail and possibly dedicating long hours to accomplish repetitive tasks, which can be challenging for people with ADHD who need constant stimuli.
6. Customer Care Representatives
A customer care representative makes calls throughout the day for long periods of time. This may be challenging for someone with ADHD and can also push them to feel impatient when communicating with difficult customers.
Working as a bookkeeper involves organising volumes of files, documents, and archives with high levels of concentration. This can be exceedingly tedious for individuals with ADHD who prefer to shift tasks over routine.
What to Look for in a Job When You Have ADHD
While paving the way for your career path can feel challenging with ADHD, many work opportunities and companies would be more than happy to accommodate your abilities and capabilities. To help you get started, here are a few tips to help you navigate your job options.
- Reflect on your skills and interests. Knowing your strengths is the first step to narrowing down your career options and making your job search much easier.
- Reconsider jobs that are repetitive, stagnant, and require high levels of concentration. Learning about what roles or tasks to avoid can help you find jobs better suited to your abilities, interests, and needs.
- Get to know the work culture. Learn more about the companies you apply for and ask if their work environment promotes flexibility, open communication and accommodations to support someone with ADHD.
- Communicate the support you need. Once employed, try to have an open conversation with your supervisors and colleagues about your specific needs as a person with ADHD and how you can tackle work challenges together.
- Seek guidance from a disability service provider. Disability employment services like Nexus offer tailored support to help you navigate your career choices and connect you with employers who can provide a supportive work environment to help you reach your full potential
Let us Help You Find Your Dream Job
Living with ADHD does not define who you are in any job. No matter what career path you decide to take, always remember to focus on your abilities over your disabilities because you have many strengths to share and be proud of.
If you or a loved one is living with ADHD, you can seek guidance and get the proper support from disability employment service providers like Nexus to help with career goals and find the right job that meets your needs.
Nexus has a team of disability employment consultants, mentors, and counsellors who understand your challenges and will help you navigate your abilities to bring you closer to your career goals. With tailored support, you can thrive in jobs that prioritise your well-being and professional growth. Register now and meet with a disability employment consultant today.
FAQ
1. Can people with ADHD work full time?
People living with ADHD can work full-time depending on how well they manage their symptoms and the role they take on in their workplace. While most companies have a better understanding of ADHD, it’s also important to get proper diagnosis and seek treatment or programs that can help you manage daily stressors and understand your strengths and symptoms better.
2. Should I tell my employer that I have ADHD?
Sharing about your condition is a personal choice. Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), you are not obligated to disclose medical or personal information. However, if you feel comfortable about disclosing or believe it is necessary for the job you are doing, then you are entitled to do so.
3. What can people with ADHD be good at?
People living with ADHD can be good at many things. They can possess a wide variety of skills at a higher level compared to neurotypical individuals. These abilities may include hyperfocus, resilience, creativity, conversational skills, spontaneity, and abundant energy.
4. Can I have a successful career with ADHD?
Yes, you can have a successful career with ADHD. While ADHD is a life-long condition, a mix of lifestyle, diet, ongoing treatment, management and/or medication can help you oversee your day-to-day routine and help bring you closer to your career goals.
4. Can ADHD get worse with age?
ADHD does not worsen with age. While the condition often persists into adulthood, only major factors such as stressors, environmental changes, or lack of support can trigger or worsen ADHD symptoms. Individuals with ADHD can experience better quality of life with ongoing treatment and management to filter out stressors and manage symptoms.
5 .Is ADHD a disability or mental illness?
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental disability condition. It is characterised by inattention (experiencing problems in focusing certain tasks), hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to a setting) and impulsivity.