Top 10 Sims 4 careers you need to play

Over 10 years, the Sims 4 gameplay saw significant improvements in very specific ways that Simmers begged for. One of the biggest parts of gameplay that needed an upgrade is the career path. Sims 4 has a base game loaded with playable and unplayable careers, but the real fun came once expansion packs allowed for more options.

I’ve compiled a list of the 10 best careers to dive into in Sims 4.

Scientist

Expansion Pack: The Sims 4: Get to Work Fun Factor: Interactive and imaginative, perfect for players who enjoy experimenting and discovery.

Gameplay:

• Daily Tasks: Perform experiments, analyze elements, and create serums.
• Active Career: Players follow their Sims to the science lab where they can build inventions and mix serums.
• Inventions: Includes the SimRay (with abilities like freeze, transform, and mind-control), the Satellite Dish (prevents alien abductions, improves relationships), and the ElectroFlux Wormhole Generator (allows travel to the alien planet Sixam).
• Serums: Potions that have various effects, from making Sims happy to transforming them into aliens.
• Unlockables: Inventions and serums
• Alien contact through the ElectroFlux Wormhole Generator
• Scientist-themed furniture and decorations
• Interesting Aspects:
• The ability to invent and discover adds a layer of creativity.
• Direct interaction with aliens and alien worlds is unique to this career.

Gardener

Expansion Pack: The Sims 4: Seasons Fun Factor: Relaxing and rewarding for players who enjoy nurturing and nature.

Gameplay:

• Daily Tasks: Planting, watering, weeding, and evolving plants.
• Career Branches: Botanist (focus on scientific research and writing papers) and Floral Designer (create flower arrangements and manage a flower shop).
• Evolving Plants: Improve plant quality to produce better harvests.
• Flower Arranging: Create and sell floral arrangements.
• Unlockables:
• Rare plant seeds and gardening tools
• Flower arrangement recipes
• High-quality produce
• Interesting Aspects:
• Crossbreeding plants to create unique varieties.
• Selling produce and floral arrangements for profit.
• Seasonal gardening activities add variety.

Writer

Base Game Fun Factor: Ideal for players who love storytelling and creativity.

Gameplay:

• Daily Tasks: Write books, articles, and columns.
• Career Branches: Author (focus on writing books) and Journalist (focus on writing articles and columns).
• Genres: Children’s books, sci-fi, romance, mystery, and more.
• Royalties: Earn royalties from published works.
• Unlockables:
• High-quality writing interactions
• Increased royalties for published works
• Exclusive writer-themed furniture
• Interesting Aspects:
• The satisfaction of seeing your Sim’s work published and earning royalties.
• The ability to influence the world with articles (for journalists).
• Writing becomes a passive income stream.

Artist

Base Game Fun Factor: Great for players who enjoy artistic expression.

Gameplay:

• Daily Tasks: Create paintings on easels and sell them.
• Career Branches: Master of the Real (focus on realistic paintings) and Patron of the Arts (focus on art appreciation and support).
• Styles: Classic, abstract, impressionist, and more.
• Masterpieces: Create high-value masterpieces as skill improves.
• Unlockables:
• Unique painting styles and higher-quality canvases
• Art-related career rewards
• Increased sale prices for artwork
• Interesting Aspects:
• The freedom to express creativity through different painting styles.
• Earning money by selling artwork.
• Paintings can be used to decorate your home.

Culinary

Base Game Fun Factor: Perfect for players who enjoy cooking and experimenting with food.

Gameplay:

• Daily Tasks: Cook meals, mix drinks, and develop recipes.
• Career Branches: Chef (focus on gourmet cooking) and Mixologist (focus on creating drinks).
• Recipes: Unlock new and exotic recipes as skill improves.
• Restaurant Management: (With Dine Out) Open and manage a restaurant.
• Unlockables:
• Gourmet cooking recipes and high-end kitchen appliances
• Unique drink recipes for mixologists
• Chef and mixologist uniforms
• Interesting Aspects:
• The practical use of cooking skills in daily life.
• The challenge and reward of managing a successful restaurant.
• Creating and serving high-quality meals and drinks.

Dream Home Decorator

Expansion Pack: The Sims 4: Dream Home Decorator Fun Factor: Fantastic for players who love interior design and home renovation.

Gameplay:

• Daily Tasks: Meet with clients, discuss preferences, and renovate rooms.
• Client Preferences: Consider clients’ likes and dislikes to create satisfying designs.
• Renovations: Redesign rooms, entire homes, or commercial spaces.
• Reputation: Build a reputation to get higher-paying and more challenging gigs.
• Unlockables:
• New furniture and decor items
• Increased renovation budgets
• Better reputation leading to high-profile gigs
• Interesting Aspects:
• The creativity involved in designing spaces based on client feedback.
• Direct client feedback adds a dynamic element.
• The variety of projects keeps the gameplay fresh.

Freelance/Odd Jobs

Base Game and The Sims 4: Island Living Fun Factor: Offers flexibility and variety in gameplay.

Gameplay:

• Freelance: Choose from different freelance careers (Writer, Artist, Programmer) and complete gigs.
• Odd Jobs: Take on short-term jobs that vary in tasks and requirements.
• Reputation: Build a reputation to get better gigs and higher pay.
• Unlockables:
• Career-specific rewards and tools
• Increased earnings with reputation
• Unique interactions and job opportunities
• Interesting Aspects:
• The freedom to choose and complete gigs on your schedule.
• The variety of tasks keeps gameplay engaging.
• Building a reputation adds a sense of progression.

Retail

Expansion Pack: The Sims 4: Get to Work Fun Factor: Suited for players who enjoy managing businesses and interacting with customers.

Gameplay:

• Daily Tasks: Manage a retail store, stock shelves, set prices, and sell items.
• Business Management: Handle employees, set profit margins, and improve store appeal.
• Types of Stores: Clothing, electronics, books, and more.
• Customer Interactions: Help customers, handle returns, and improve customer satisfaction.
• Unlockables:
• Retail perks and store upgrades
• Increased profit margins
• Unique store items and decorations
• Interesting Aspects:
• The challenge of running a successful retail business.
• Customizing the store to attract more customers.
• The variety of store types keeps the gameplay diverse.

Politician

Expansion Pack: The Sims 4: City Living Fun Factor: Great for players who enjoy leadership and influence.

Gameplay:

• Daily Tasks: Campaigning, giving speeches, fundraising, and promoting policies.
• Career Branches: Politician (focus on leadership and influence) and Charity Organizer (focus on fundraising and community support).
• Policies: Promote and implement policies that affect the game world.
• Fundraising: Organize events to raise funds for campaigns.
• Unlockables:
• Political interactions and campaign rewards
• Special suits and outfits
• Increased influence and community support
• Interesting Aspects:
• The ability to influence the game world with policies.
• The challenge of gaining support and maintaining a good reputation.
• Unique interactions with other Sims for campaigning and fundraising.

Video Game Streamer

Expansion Pack: The Sims 4: Get Famous Fun Factor: Perfect for players who enjoy gaming and online fame.

Gameplay:

• Daily Tasks: Stream games, interact with fans, and build an online following.
• Career Branches: None (freelance structure).
• Streaming: Play different games, gain followers, and earn money from sponsorships.
• Fan Interactions: Respond to comments, host fan meetups, and maintain popularity.
• Unlockables:
• Sponsorships and special gaming equipment
• Increased revenue from streams
• Exclusive streaming interactions
• Interesting Aspects:
• The ability to become an online celebrity.
• Engaging with a virtual fanbase and managing online reputation.
• Earning money through gaming mirrors real-world streaming careers.

Each career in The Sims 4 provides a unique and immersive experience, allowing players to explore various interests and talents through their Sims. The diverse gameplay mechanics, unlockables, and interesting aspects ensure that there’s always something new to discover and achieve, making each career path engaging and rewarding.