Wizarding Careers
From Aurors to Wandmakers - exploring the diverse professions of the magical world
Overview
The wizarding world offers a diverse array of career paths, each requiring different magical talents, academic qualifications, and personal skills. While some careers like Auror or Healer require extensive training and exceptional N.E.W.T. scores, others value practical experience, creativity, or specialized magical abilities. This guide explores the major career paths available to witches and wizards, their requirements, and notable practitioners.
N.E.W.T.s
Required for Most Careers
Career Advice
5th Year Students
Diverse Paths
Hundreds of Options
Specialization
Often Required
Magical Healthcare
Healer
Workplace: St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries
Function: Diagnose and treat magical and mundane illnesses and injuries
Requirements
N.E.W.T.s Required: At least five at E.E. or higher
Essential Subjects: Potions (Outstanding), Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts
Training: Extensive apprenticeship at St. Mungo's
Specialization: Most Healers specialize in specific conditions
Specializations
Creature-Induced Injuries: Bites, stings, burns from magical creatures
Magical Bugs: Dragon pox, Spattergroit, Vanishing Sickness
Potion and Plant Poisoning: Toxic exposure treatment
Spell Damage: Curses, jinxes, permanent magical damage
Artefact Accidents: Injuries from cursed objects
Skills Required
Diagnostic Magic: Identifying magical ailments
Potion Expertise: Brewing and administering healing potions
Spell Reversal: Countering curses and hexes
Bedside Manner: Compassion and communication
Notable Healers
Dilys Derwent: Healer at St. Mungo's, later Hogwarts Headmistress
Miriam Strout: Worked in Janus Thickey Ward (long-term care)
Augustus Pye: Trainee Healer, treated Arthur Weasley
Smethwyck: Senior Healer specializing in curse damage
For more details, see dedicated St. Mungo's Hospital page.
Mediwizard/Mediwitch
Function: Emergency medical response, field medicine
Training: Accelerated Healer training focused on emergency care
Locations: Quidditch matches, large events, Ministry emergency response
Example: Medical staff at Quidditch World Cup, Triwizard Tournament
Magical Law Enforcement
Auror
Function: Elite dark wizard hunters
Requirements: Five N.E.W.T.s at E.E. or higher, three-year training program
See dedicated Auror Office page for complete details.
Essential Subjects
Defence Against the Dark Arts (Outstanding preferred), Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Herbology
Training Focus
Combat magic, dark arts theory, stealth and tracking, investigation techniques, magical law
Career Path
Junior Auror, Senior Auror, Head of Auror Office, potentially Head of Department
Notable Aurors
Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley
Hit Wizard/Witch
Function: Tactical law enforcement, dangerous arrests
Training: One year intensive combat and tactics training
Difference from Aurors: More tactical, less investigative
Obliviator
Function: Modify Muggle memories to protect Statute of Secrecy
Skills: Expert Memory Charm work, understanding of human memory
Ethics: Controversial but considered necessary work
Department: Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
Magical Education
Professor at Hogwarts (or Other Magical Schools)
Requirements
Mastery: Expert-level knowledge in subject area
Usually: Outstanding N.E.W.T. in subject taught
Experience: Often requires practical experience in field
Teaching Ability: Skill in instruction and classroom management
Subjects Taught
Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Herbology, Defence Against Dark Arts, Astronomy, History of Magic, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies
Benefits
Tenure: Long-term security (many professors teach for decades)
Housing: Rooms at Hogwarts provided
Holidays: Summer break, Christmas, Easter
Prestige: Respected position in wizarding society
Challenges
Student Management: Controlling magical teenagers
Dangerous Subjects: Some subjects inherently hazardous
Long Hours: Teaching, grading, supervision duties
Isolation: Living at school year-round
Notable Professors
Minerva McGonagall: Transfiguration, Deputy Headmistress, later Headmistress
Filius Flitwick: Charms, former dueling champion
Pomona Sprout: Herbology, extensive plant knowledge
Severus Snape: Potions (later DADA), youngest Potions Master in decades
Remus Lupin: Defence Against the Dark Arts, practical experience with dark creatures
Magical Creature Careers
Magizoologist
Function
Study: Research magical creatures and their habitats
Conservation: Protect endangered magical species
Discovery: Identify and document new creatures
Education: Write textbooks and train others
Requirements
N.E.W.T.s: Care of Magical Creatures (Outstanding), Defence Against Dark Arts, Potions
Field Experience: Extensive hands-on creature work
Physical Fitness: Often requires wilderness travel
Courage: Working with dangerous creatures
Career Paths
Research: Academic study and publication
Conservation: Dragon reserves, creature sanctuaries
Ministry: Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures department
Education: Teaching at Hogwarts or writing textbooks
Notable Magizoologists
Newt Scamander: Author of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"
Porpentina Goldstein: American Magizoologist
Rolf Scamander: Newt's grandson, married Luna Lovegood
Dragon Keeper
Function: Care for and study dragons at reserves
Location: Dragon reserves worldwide (Romania, Wales, etc.)
Requirements: Care of Magical Creatures expertise, exceptional bravery
Dangers: Burns, bites, potentially fatal injuries common
Example: Charlie Weasley works at Romanian Dragon Reserve
Creature Induced Injuries Healer
Function: Treat injuries from magical creatures
Knowledge: Combination of healing and creature expertise
Location: St. Mungo's specialist ward
Gringotts Careers
Curse-Breaker
Function
Vaults: Break protective curses on ancient vaults
Treasure: Secure cursed treasures for retrieval
Tombs: Explore ancient magical sites (Egyptian tombs, etc.)
Research: Study ancient curse techniques
Requirements
Arithmancy: Breaking numerical wards and codes
Ancient Runes: Understanding old magical writing
Defence Against Dark Arts: Identifying and countering curses
Charms: Counter-charm work
N.E.W.T.s: High grades in above subjects
Characteristics
Adventurous: Travel to exotic, dangerous locations
Well-Paid: Excellent compensation for danger
Challenging: Intellectual and magical puzzle-solving
Dangerous: Risk of curse activation, tomb collapse
Example
Bill Weasley: Worked for Gringotts in Egypt, later transferred to London for safer work after engagement to Fleur Delacour
Gringotts Bank Teller
Function: Handle customer transactions, vault access
Species: Primarily goblins, though some wizard liaisons
Requirements: Mathematical aptitude, security clearance
Career: Can advance to vault management or security
Ministry Careers
Various Departments
International Magical Cooperation
Roles: Diplomats, translators, trade negotiators
Languages: Knowledge of multiple languages valuable
Travel: Frequent international assignments
Example: Barty Crouch Sr. spoke over 200 languages
Magical Transportation
Roles: Apparition instructors, Portkey office, Floo Network Authority
Requirements: Expertise in respective transportation method
Responsibility: Public safety in magical travel
Magical Games and Sports
Roles: Quidditch league administration, referee, sports regulation
Requirements: Knowledge of magical sports
Example: Ludo Bagman, former professional Quidditch player
Regulation of Magical Creatures
Roles: Liaison officers, creature rights advocates, pest control
Requirements: Care of Magical Creatures knowledge
Example: Amos Diggory worked in this department
Unspeakable (Department of Mysteries)
Function: Research the deepest mysteries of magic
Requirements: Outstanding academic achievement, security clearance
Vow of Secrecy: Cannot discuss work with anyone
Research Areas: Time, Death, Love, Thought, Space, Prophecy
See Department of Mysteries page for details.
Retail and Commerce
Shop Owner - Various Specializations
Wand Shop
Example: Ollivanders
Skills: Wandlore expertise, matching wizard to wand
Requirements: Deep understanding of wand woods and cores
Tradition: Often family businesses spanning centuries
Joke Shop
Example: Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes
Owners: Fred and George Weasley
Skills: Invention, charm work, entrepreneurship
Products: Skiving Snackboxes, Extendable Ears, Pygmy Puffs
Potions Shop
Function: Sell pre-made potions and ingredients
Requirements: Expert potion-brewing, ingredient knowledge
Regulations: Licensing for dangerous potion sales
Broom Shop
Example: Quality Quidditch Supplies
Products: Racing brooms, Quidditch equipment
Knowledge: Broomstick mechanics, flight charms
Robe Shop
Example: Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions
Skills: Tailoring, enchantment for self-adjusting robes
Market: School robes, dress robes, work robes
Bookshop
Example: Flourish and Blotts
Stock: Textbooks, reference books, popular magical literature
Challenges: Managing biting and misbehaving books
Pub/Inn Owner
Example: Tom (Leaky Cauldron), Madam Rosmerta (Three Broomsticks)
Function: Provide food, drink, and lodging to wizarding community
Location: Often at junctions between Muggle and magical areas
Journalism and Publishing
Daily Prophet Reporter
Function
Reporting: Cover magical news and events
Investigation: Research stories and interview sources
Writing: Compose articles for publication
Ethics: Quality varies widely between reporters
Notable Reporters
Rita Skeeter: Unregistered Animagus (beetle), sensationalist, uses Quick-Quotes Quill
Xenophilius Lovegood: Editor of The Quibbler, conspiracy theories and creature research
Barnabas Cuffe: Editor of Daily Prophet
Requirements
Writing Ability: Clear, engaging prose
Investigation: Research and verification skills
Connections: Network of sources
Persistence: Pursuing difficult stories
Magical Tools
Quick-Quotes Quill: Auto-transcribing interviews (often embellishing)
Photographer Equipment: Cameras for moving photographs
Communication: Owl post, Floo Network for remote reporting
Magazine and Book Publishing
Magazines: Witch Weekly, Practical Potioner, Transfiguration Today, Challenges in Charming
Book Publishers: Publish textbooks, spell books, historical works
Authors: Gilderoy Lockhart (fraudulent), Bathilda Bagshot (historian), Miranda Goshawk (textbook author)
Specialized Magical Professions
Professional Quidditch Player
Path to Professional
School: Excel at House Quidditch team
Scouting: Spotted by professional team scouts
Try-outs: Competitive team try-outs
Minor Leagues: May start in lower divisions
Career Aspects
Positions: Seeker, Chaser, Beater, Keeper
Fame: Professional players are celebrities
Salary: Top players earn excellent money
Danger: Injuries common, career-ending accidents possible
Examples
Ludo Bagman: Wimbourne Wasps Beater, England national team
Gwenog Jones: Captain of Holyhead Harpies
Viktor Krum: Bulgaria Seeker, youngest World Cup player
Ginny Weasley: Holyhead Harpies Chaser
Retirement Careers
Coaching: Train next generation
Commentary: Broadcast matches
Ministry: Department of Magical Games and Sports
Business: Quidditch supply shops
Wandmaker
Function: Craft wands, match wizards to wands
Requirements: Deep understanding of wandlore, years of apprenticeship
Tradition: Usually family businesses (Ollivanders, Gregorovitch)
Expertise: Wood properties, core materials, magical theory
Broomstick Designer/Manufacturer
Function: Design and produce racing brooms
Companies: Nimbus Racing Broom Company, Firebolt manufacturers
Skills: Flight charms, wood selection, aerodynamics
Competition: Constant innovation for speed and handling
Potion Master/Mistress
Beyond Hogwarts: Research new potions, perfect existing recipes
Employment: Private research, St. Mungo's, Ministry
Requirements: Outstanding Potions N.E.W.T., years of experience
Example: Severus Snape achieved mastery at young age
Divination and Fortune Telling
Professional Seer
True Seers
Rare: Genuine predictive ability extremely uncommon
Examples: Sybill Trelawney (made two real prophecies), Cassandra Trelawney
Recognition: Prophecies recorded in Department of Mysteries
Often Unaware: Many true Seers don't remember making prophecies
Divination Teachers
Methods: Tea leaves, crystal balls, palmistry, astrology
Controversy: Many consider divination imprecise or fraudulent
Skills: Interpretation, pattern recognition, intuition
Frauds
Common: Many claim Seer abilities without genuine gift
Methods: Cold reading, vague predictions, theatrics
Income: Can earn money from gullible clients
Centaur Astronomy
Different Approach: Read stars and planets for omens
Perspective: View futures as probabilities, not certainties
Respected: Known for accurate long-term predictions
Miscellaneous Careers
Hogwarts Staff
Caretaker: Argus Filch (Squib), maintains castle
Librarian: Madam Pince, manages vast magical library
Nurse: Madam Pomfrey, school medical care
Gamekeeper: Rubeus Hagrid, maintains grounds and creatures
Gringotts Cart Driver
Function: Operate carts through vault tunnels
Species: Primarily goblins
Knowledge: Complex underground maze navigation
Danger: Security systems, protective enchantments
Knight Bus Conductor
Example: Stan Shunpike
Function: Assist passengers, collect fares, load luggage
Hours: 24/7 operation, shift work
Requirements: Customer service, knowledge of magical Britain
Professional Duelist
Function: Competitive magical combat
Requirements: Exceptional combat magic skills
Example: Filius Flitwick was dueling champion in youth
Career Path: May transition to teaching or Auror work
Spell Inventor
Function: Create new spells and magical techniques
Famous Inventors: Severus Snape (Sectumsempra, Levicorpus), Mirabella Plunkett
Requirements: Deep magical theory knowledge, creativity, extensive testing
Danger: Experimental magic extremely hazardous
Magical Historian
Function: Research and document magical history
Example: Bathilda Bagshot ("A History of Magic")
Work: Archive research, interviews, site visits
Publications: Books, academic papers, lectures
Professional Herbologist
Beyond Teaching: Discover new magical plants
Research: Plant properties, cultivation methods
Applications: Potions ingredients, medical uses
Danger: Many magical plants highly dangerous
Magical Portrait Painter
Function: Create living magical portraits
Process: Multiple sittings, personality capture
Results: Portrait retains subject's personality and memories
Prestige: Portrait in Hogwarts headmaster gallery is high honor
Career Guidance at Hogwarts
Fifth Year Career Advice
In their fifth year, Hogwarts students meet with their Head of House to discuss career aspirations and plan their N.E.W.T. courses accordingly. This crucial meeting helps students understand requirements for their desired careers and choose appropriate subjects.
Career Meetings Shown
McGonagall's Support
Despite Umbridge's interference claiming Harry lacked qualifications, McGonagall firmly supported Harry's ambition to become an Auror. She pledged to help him achieve the necessary N.E.W.T. grades, showing her support for students' genuine aspirations.
Following Harry
Ron initially seemed to choose Auror work to stay with Harry. However, he proved himself capable during the Horcrux hunt and became a successful Auror before leaving to join the family business.
Rights Advocacy
Though not shown, Hermione's passion for justice and creature rights led her to work in Magical Law Enforcement, eventually becoming Deputy Head and later Minister for Magic, where she could effect real change.
Finding His Strength
Neville's talent for Herbology led him to become Herbology Professor at Hogwarts, teaching future generations and conducting research into magical plants.
N.E.W.T. Requirements by Career
| Career | Essential Subjects | Minimum Grades | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auror | DADA, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Herbology | 5 N.E.W.T.s at E.E. or higher | 3-year training program, physical/mental testing |
| Healer | Potions (O), Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, DADA | 5 N.E.W.T.s at E.E., Potions at O | Apprenticeship at St. Mungo's |
| Curse-Breaker | Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, DADA, Charms | High N.E.W.T. grades | Problem-solving skills, courage |
| Magizoologist | Care of Magical Creatures (O), DADA, Potions | Outstanding in specialization | Field experience, physical fitness |
| Professor | Subject to be taught | Outstanding N.E.W.T. in subject | Mastery, practical experience, teaching ability |
| Ministry (General) | Varies by department | Acceptable or higher | Specific skills for department |
Changing Careers
The wizarding world allows for career changes, and many witches and wizards pursue multiple careers throughout their lives:
- Ron Weasley: Auror → Co-owner of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes
- Ginny Weasley: Professional Quidditch player → Daily Prophet sports correspondent
- Remus Lupin: Various jobs (discrimination) → Professor → Order of the Phoenix
- Kingsley Shacklebolt: Auror → Minister for Magic
- Ludo Bagman: Professional Quidditch player → Ministry Department Head
Career flexibility allows wizards to pursue passions, adapt to changing circumstances, or take on new challenges as they age and gain experience.
Unemployment and Economic Reality
Not all career paths lead to stable employment. The wizarding economy, while different from the Muggle world, still has economic pressures:
Challenges
Discrimination: Werewolves, half-giants, and other "half-breeds" face employment discrimination
Limited Positions: Some careers have very few openings (Auror, Professor)
Economic Downturns: Wars and instability affect employment
Nepotism: Pure-blood families sometimes monopolize certain positions
Examples of Struggle
Remus Lupin: Struggled to find work due to werewolf status, despite exceptional qualifications
Mundungus Fletcher: Turned to petty crime due to limited legitimate opportunities
Weasley Family: Arthur's low-paying job meant family struggled financially despite his dedication