Got Strong Perceptual Abilities? Here Are 10 U.S. Based Jobs For You

by Olivia Williams

Monday, April 20, 2015

Perceptual abilities have been described as that group of abilities related to the acquisition and organization of visual information and consists of the following:

Speed of Closure: The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Flexibility of Closure: The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Perceptual Speed: The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

Below are 10 jobs in the U.S. for people who have strong abilities when it comes to acquisition and organization of visual information.

Air traffic controllers
Air traffic controllers control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety. Other abilities that strongly feature for this occupation include attentiveness, auditory and speech, idea generation and reasoning, spatial, verbal and visual abilities.
Median Annual Salary: $108,040 Minimum Educational Requirement: Less than a High School Diploma

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, National, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots. Other abilities that strongly feature for this occupation include attentiveness, auditory and speech, control movement, idea generation and reasoning, reaction time and speed, spatial, verbal and visual abilities.
Median Annual Salary: $103,210 Minimum Educational Requirement: High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate)

Forensic science technicians
Forensic science technicians collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. They may also testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. They may also serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry. Other abilities that strongly feature for this occupation include idea generation and reasoning, verbal and visual abilities.
Median Annual Salary: $51,570 Minimum Educational Requirement: High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate)

Environmental engineers
Environmental engineers research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology. Other abilities that strongly feature for this occupation include idea generation and reasoning, quantitative, verbal and visual abilities.
Median Annual Salary: $78,740 Minimum Educational Requirement: Some College Courses

Civil engineers
Civil engineers perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems. Includes architectural, structural, traffic, ocean, and geo-technical engineers. Other abilities that strongly feature for this occupation include idea generation and reasoning, quantitative, spatial, verbal and visual abilities.
Median Annual Salary: $77,560 Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor's Degree

Physicists
Physicists conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories. Other abilities that strongly feature for this occupation include attentiveness, auditory and speech, idea generation and reasoning, quantitative, spatial and verbal abilities.
Median Annual Salary: $106,370 Minimum Educational Requirement: High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate)

Microbiologists
Microbiologists investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms. Other abilities that strongly feature for this occupation include idea generation and reasoning, verbal and visual abilities.
Median Annual Salary: $65,920 Minimum Educational Requirement: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

Astronomers
Astronomers observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems. Other abilities that strongly feature for this occupation include idea generation and reasoning, quantitative, verbal and visual abilities.
Median Annual Salary: $87,260 Minimum Educational Requirement: Master's Degree

Mining and geological engineers
Mining and geological engineers conduct sub-surface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. They may also specify the ground support systems, processes and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. They may also inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. They may also design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs. Other abilities that strongly feature for this occupation include idea generation and reasoning, quantitative, spatial and verbal abilities.
Median Annual Salary: $82,870 Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor's Degree

Mathematicians
Mathematicians conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods. Other abilities that strongly feature for this occupation include idea generation and reasoning, quantitative and verbal abilities.
Median Annual Salary: $99,380 Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor's Degree