Wonderlic Scores by Position: What Each Job Family and NFL Role Averages

"Wonderlic scores by position" means two different things depending on why you are asking. If you are preparing for a job, position means your role, and average scores range from about 15 for unskilled work to 30 or higher for engineers. If you are a football fan, position means the spot on the field, and the NFL Combine averages run from roughly 18 for cornerbacks to 27 for offensive tackles. This page covers both, with the real average scores, what each number signals, and the target range you should aim for if the test is on your calendar.

Quick takeaways

• The overall average Wonderlic raw score is about 20 to 22 out of 50.
• By job family, averages climb with cognitive load: unskilled roles average near 15, clerical roles near 21, and technical or engineering roles near 29 to 32.
• In the NFL, offensive linemen and tight ends post the highest position averages; running backs and defensive backs post the lowest.
• Averages are descriptive, not passing scores. Your target is the range for the specific role you want, not the population mean.
• Wonderlic (wonderlic.com) publishes occupation norms; the profession figures below reflect the commonly cited public versions of those norms.

What the average Wonderlic score actually is

Across all test takers, the average Wonderlic Personnel Test score is about 20 to 22 out of 50, and the test is designed so that a raw score of 20 roughly corresponds to an IQ of 100, per Wonderlic's scoring background (wonderlic.com). That single fact anchors everything else on this page: a score near 20 is genuinely average, not weak.

Two things are worth being clear about before the tables. First, these are average observed scores, not cutoffs. An average tells you what people in a role typically get, not the minimum an employer will accept. For the minimum-you-need framing, see what score you need on the Wonderlic. Second, "position" is genuinely ambiguous in search, so this page splits cleanly into job positions and football positions.

Wonderlic scores by job position (profession averages)

The scores below reflect the widely circulated Wonderlic occupation norms. They show the average score people in each profession tend to produce, which is why they climb with the cognitive demands of the work.

Read the table as a ladder of cognitive load rather than a ranking of people. Roles that involve more reading, faster numeric work, or more complex problem-solving under time pressure tend to show higher averages, because the test measures exactly that kind of processing speed. If your target job sits high on this ladder, plan to score above the population average of 20, not just at it.

Wonderlic scores by NFL position

The NFL used the Wonderlic at the Combine for decades, and the position averages became some of the most quoted numbers in sports. The figures below reflect the commonly reported Combine averages by position.

The pattern surprises people: offensive linemen, not quarterbacks, often top the list, because the position demands rapid recognition of complex defensive fronts and blocking assignments. For the full story on famous player scores and why the NFL eventually moved away from the test, see the Wonderlic and the NFL.

Average by position is not the same as your target

This is the trap that catches candidates. An average is a description of a group; a target is what you personally should aim for. They pull in different directions.

If the average programmer scores 29, that does not mean 29 is the pass mark for a programming job. It means a typical strong candidate for that role lands around there, so aiming for the average is aiming to be merely typical. If you want to stand out, target the top of your role's band, not its middle. Conversely, if you are applying for a general role where the average is 15, a score of 20 already puts you ahead of the pack.

The practical rule: aim for the upper end of your role's range, and treat the population average of 20 as a floor for any role that involves regular reading, math, or problem-solving.

What each score band signals to a hiring manager

Beyond the role averages, hiring managers read the raw number itself as a signal. Here is roughly how a score gets interpreted across positions.

• 10 to 14: Below average. Fine for roles with simple, repetitive tasks; a red flag for anything analytical.
• 15 to 20: Average range. Signals someone who can learn a standard role at a normal pace.
• 21 to 27: Above average. The comfortable zone for most professional and supervisory roles.
• 28 to 34: Strong. Expected for technical, engineering, and analytical positions.
• 35 and up: Rare and excellent. Well above what almost any role requires.

For the full cutoff-and-band breakdown, including how percentiles map to these numbers, see Wonderlic score bands and cutoffs.

How to hit the average for your position

Knowing your target is half the work. Closing the gap is the other half, and the Wonderlic rewards preparation more than most people expect, not because you can memorize answers but because so much of your score comes down to speed. The test is 50 questions in 12 minutes, about 14 seconds each, and most candidates lose points to the clock rather than to difficulty.

That means a few days of timed, full-length practice can move you from the middle of your role's band toward the top of it. Take a scored baseline, find your two slowest question types, drill them, then retest under the real clock. Our Wonderlic practice test study plan lays out the exact three-day version.

How PrepClubs helps you reach your target

Once you know the score your position expects, PrepClubs is built to get you there fast. You get full-length Wonderlic mock exams timed to the real 50-question, 12-minute format, plus topical drills for each question type so you can close your specific gap instead of practicing at random.

Because a job offer can hinge on this one number, PrepClubs backs its prep with a 30-day Pass Guarantee: prepare with us and if you do not pass your real test, we extend your access at no extra cost. More than 1,600 students have used PrepClubs to prepare for cognitive and aptitude tests.

FAQ

What is the average Wonderlic score?

Across all test takers, the average raw score is about 20 to 22 out of 50, according to Wonderlic's scoring background (wonderlic.com). A score of 20 corresponds roughly to an IQ of 100, which is exactly average, so a score in the low 20s is genuinely typical rather than poor.

What Wonderlic score does my job need?

It depends on the role. General and labor roles average around 15, clerical roles around 20 to 21, skilled trades around 22 to 24, management around 28, and engineering or programming around 29 to 32. Aim for the upper end of your role's range to stand out, and remember these are averages, not fixed cutoffs.

Which NFL position has the highest Wonderlic average?

Offensive linemen, particularly offensive tackles and centers, typically post the highest position averages, often 25 to 27. Quarterbacks and tight ends are close behind. The pattern reflects how much rapid pattern recognition and assignment processing those positions demand.

Which NFL position has the lowest Wonderlic average?

Running backs, cornerbacks, and wide receivers tend to post the lowest position averages, often in the 16 to 20 range. As with all these figures, a low position average does not predict any individual player's ability; it is a group statistic.

Is a Wonderlic score the same as an IQ score?

Not exactly, but they correlate. The Wonderlic is calibrated so that a raw score near 20 maps to an IQ of about 100. There are published conversion tables, but treat any raw-to-IQ conversion as an approximation rather than a precise equivalent.

Do employers set different cutoffs for different positions?

Yes. Employers commonly set a minimum Wonderlic score tied to the cognitive demands of the role, which is why the same score can be strong for one job and below the line for another. Match your preparation to your specific role rather than to a single universal number.

Related on PrepClubs

• What score do you need on the Wonderlic
• Wonderlic score bands and cutoffs
• The Wonderlic and the NFL
• Wonderlic practice test study plan

Know your target and want to hit it? PrepClubs gives you full-length Wonderlic mocks and topical drills on the real 50-question, 12-minute format, backed by the 30-day Pass Guarantee. Start preparing for the Wonderlic.