Is an IQ of 109 Good? What It Means & Where You Stand

What Does an IQ of 109 Mean?

An IQ of 109 is at the very top of the average range — one point below the high average classification at 110. At the 73rd percentile, you score higher than about 73% of people. This is a meaningful cognitive position: you're above most people but still classified as average. The 1-point gap between 109 and 110 has zero practical significance.

An IQ of 109 places you at the 73rd percentile, which means you scored higher than approximately 73% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. This score falls into the Average range on the IQ scale. With a rarity of Common, this score is within the range where most people score.

To understand how IQ scores are calculated and what they measure, see our complete guide on what IQ is and how it works. For a full breakdown of all score ranges and their meanings, visit our IQ score ranges page.

Career Context for an IQ of 109

At 109, you are at the cusp of high average. Every career is accessible, and the distinction between 109 (average) and 110 (high average) is purely classificatory — it has no real-world impact.

Cognitive Profile at IQ 109

IQ 109 sits at the very top of the average range — one point from the high-average classification at IQ 110. The distinction between IQ 109 and 110 is entirely classificatory and has no practical significance. The cognitive profile shows reliably strong verbal reasoning across the most complex academic domains, solid and consistent fluid intelligence on novel and abstract problems, and academic capacity supporting confident success in competitive professional graduate programs across virtually all fields. Working memory holds 9 items. Processing speed is at the 63rd–64th percentile. Fluid intelligence shows genuine reliable novel problem-solving with strong consistency across complex abstract problem types. Reading at advanced college level enables confident engagement with primary academic literature in demanding disciplines. The person at IQ 109 learns new complex material at a meaningfully faster rate than average, an advantage that accumulates predictably across extended professional training.

What Research Says About IQ 109

NLSY79 data show IQ 109 individuals achieving 4-year college enrollment at 68% and bachelor's degree completion at approximately 63%. Employment rates are near-universal and median earnings are approximately 11–12% above the US median. Gottfredson (1997) places IQ 109 at the threshold where training for the most complex civilian occupations — law, medicine, engineering, academic research — is reliably accessible without extraordinary cognitive effort. Schmidt & Hunter (1998) estimate that at IQ 109, job performance advantages over average are clearly and reliably detected across the full range of complex occupational categories in organizational research.

Day-to-Day Life with an IQ of 109

A person at IQ 109 works as a chief financial officer at a publicly traded company — overseeing all financial reporting, managing investor relations, directing strategic financial planning, leading a finance team of 45, and advising the CEO and board on capital allocation decisions. They completed an MBA at a selective business school with a 3.8 GPA and hold a CPA and CFA designation. They own their home, manage complex finances, and are active in financial industry leadership organizations. They are regarded by their board, CEO, and peers as a financially sophisticated, strategically astute executive whose intellect and judgment are among the company's most important assets.

How Does an IQ of 109 Compare?

Here's how a score of 109 compares to nearby IQ scores:

Famous People with an IQ Around 109

The following well-known figures have estimated IQ scores close to 109:

• Novak Djokovic — Tennis GOAT by many measures, 24 Grand Slam titles (estimated IQ: 105–118)
• Travis Scott — Rapper, producer, Astroworld creator, brand architect (estimated IQ: 108–118)
• Roger Federer — Tennis legend, 20 Grand Slam titles, sportsman icon (estimated IQ: 108–118)
• Ronda Rousey — UFC champion, Olympic medalist, actress, pioneer (estimated IQ: 108–118)
• Adele — Grammy-winning singer, vocal powerhouse, record-breaking albums (estimated IQ: 108–118)

Careers That Suit an IQ of 109

People with an IQ around 109 are well-suited for the following career paths:

• Pharmacist (Retail) — average IQ range: 108–118
• Veterinary Technician — average IQ range: 95–108
• Air Traffic Controller — average IQ range: 110–122
• Optometrist — average IQ range: 108–120
• HVAC Technician — average IQ range: 95–108

See the full IQ by career chart for all professions.

Explore Other IQ Scores

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