The Sims 4 has 50 careers and jobs as of November 2026: 25 full-time careers, 8 active careers, 11 part-time jobs and 6 freelance careers. 19 of them are in the base game. The rest come with packs, from Get to Work up to royalty & Legacy. Every full-time career splits into two branches halfway up. Below is the full list with branches, the skills that get you promoted, and the pack you need.
Quick overview
| Type | How many | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 25 | Your Sim goes to work (rabbit hole). 10 levels with a branch choice along the way |
| Active | 8 | You can follow your Sim to work and do the tasks yourself |
| Part-time | 11 | Short shifts. Teens can take one, older Sims up to two |
| Freelance | 6 | Take gigs from home when it suits you |
All full-time careers
Full-time careers have 10 levels in total. At some point you pick one of two branches, and each branch has its own top job.
| Career | Branches | Key skills | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astronaut | Space ranger / Interstellar smuggler | Logic, Fitness | Base game |
| Athlete | Professional athlete / Bodybuilder | Charisma, Fitness | Base game |
| Business | Management / Investor | Charisma, Logic | Base game |
| Criminal | Boss / Oracle | Mischief | Base game |
| Culinary | Chef / Mixologist | Cooking, Mixology | Base game |
| Entertainer | Musician / Comedian | Guitar, Violin, Comedy | Base game |
| Painter | Master of the real / Patron of the arts | Painting | Base game |
| Secret agent | Diamond agent / Villain | Logic, Charisma | Base game |
| Style influencer | Stylist / Trend setter | Writing, Charisma, Photography, Painting | Base game |
| Tech guru | eSport gamer / Start-up entrepreneur | Programming, Video gaming | Base game |
| Writer | Author / Journalist | Writing | Base game |
| Critic | Arts critic / Food critic | Writing | City Living |
| Politician | Politician / Charity organizer | Charisma | City Living |
| Social media | Internet personality / Public relations | Charisma, Comedy, Mischief | City Living |
| Gardener | Botanist / Floral designer | Gardening | Seasons |
| Military | Covert operator / Officer | Fitness | StrangerVille |
| Conservationist | Environmental manager / Marine biologist | Logic | Island Living |
| Education | Administrator / Professor | Research & Debate | Discover University |
| Engineer | Computer engineer / Mechanical engineer | Robotics | Discover University |
| Law | Judge / Private attorney | Research & Debate | Discover University |
| Civil designer | Civic planner / Green technician | Logic, Handiness | Eco Lifestyle |
| Salaryperson | Expert / Supervisor | Logic, Writing | Snowy Escape |
| Romance consultant | Matchmaker / Relationship counselor | Charisma, Romance | Lovestruck |
| Undertaker | Funeral director / Mortician | Fitness, Gardening | Life & Death |
| Park worker | Park counselor / Park ranger | Handiness, Fitness, Charisma, Logic, Archery | Adventure Awaits |
Active careers
In an active career you can go to work with your Sim and complete daily tasks. Most active careers have no branches. The Naturopath is the exception.
| Career | Branches | Key skills | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detective | None | Set by daily tasks | Get to Work |
| Doctor | None | Set by daily tasks | Get to Work |
| Scientist | None | Set by daily tasks | Get to Work |
| Actor | None | Acting | Get Famous |
| Interior decorator | None | Set by daily tasks | Dream Home Decorator |
| Reaper | None | Fitness, Charisma, Thanatology | Life & Death |
| Naturopath | Apothe-curist / Lifestyle coaching | Natural living, Apothecary | Enchanted by Nature |
| Noble | None | Charisma, Swordsmanship | Royalty & Legacy |
Part-time jobs
Part-time jobs have 3 levels. Teens can work one next to high school, and young adults and older can hold up to two at once.
| Job | Key skills | Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Babysitter | Charisma | Base game |
| Barista | Mixology | Base game |
| Fast food employee | Cooking | Base game |
| Manual laborer | Gardening | Base game |
| Retail employee | Charisma | Base game |
| Diver | None | Island Living |
| Fisherman | Fishing | Island Living |
| Lifeguard | Fitness | Island Living |
| Simfluencer | Entrepreneur, Charisma | High School Years |
| Video game streamer | Entrepreneur, Video gaming | High School Years |
| Handyperson | Gardening, Handiness | For Rent |
Freelance careers
Freelance careers came to the base game with patch 79. Your Sim picks gigs from the computer and works from home, with no fixed hours. Sims can also register as self-employed, which has no levels at all.
| Career | Key skills | Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance artist | Painting | Base game |
| Freelance programmer | Programming | Base game |
| Freelance writer | Writing | Base game |
| Freelance fashion photographer | Photography | Moschino Stuff |
| Freelance crafter | Fabrication, Juice fizzing | Eco Lifestyle |
| Paranormal investigator | None | Paranormal Stuff |
How to get a job in The Sims 4
- Click the phone or a computer and choose Find a Job (or the career panel in the Sim’s info).
- Pick a career. Active careers and some packs add their own options in the list.
- Check the work days and hours before you accept.
- Build the key skills in the table and go to work in the right mood to fill the performance bar.
Good grades pay off: Sims who leave high school with a B start at level 2 of their career, and Sims with an A start at level 3.
Want to speed things up? Our guides cover the career promotion cheat, job cheats and maxing skills. Changed your mind? Here is how to quit a job.
FAQ
How many careers are in The Sims 4?
50 careers and jobs as of November 2026: 25 full-time, 8 active, 11 part-time and 6 freelance. The count includes Royalty & Legacy.
Which careers are in the base game?
Astronaut, Athlete, Business, Criminal, Culinary, Entertainer, Painter, Secret Agent, Style Influencer, Tech Guru and Writer (full-time), the freelance artist, programmer and writer, and five part-time jobs: babysitter, barista, fast food employee, manual laborer and retail employee.
Can teens get a job?
Yes, a part-time job. Teens can take one part-time job next to high school.
What happens if my Sim gets fired?
Your Sim can apply for the same career again, usually one level below the job they had.
Can elders work?
Yes. Elders can keep working, or retire through the phone or computer and get a smaller pension each day.
Which pack has the Reaper career?
Life & Death. Read more in our guide to the Reaper and mortician careers. The Detective, Doctor and Scientist active careers come with Get to Work.