We used the latest data and insights to identify the Highest Paying Psychology Jobs so that you can learn and earn more.
We live in a world today where there are an increasing number of mental health concerns. That’s why psychologists are in hot demand.Â
For many psychologists, the greatest source of job satisfaction is the ability to help people fall back in love with their lives. In this sense, psychology jobs are noble professions that can transform lives for the better.Â
On top of saving people’s lives, as psychologists, you are going to be rewarded quite handsomely. There are many options for you to consider.
We’ve assembled this list of the highest-paying psychology jobs using data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, major job platforms, and other professional associations sites.
Here are the highest-paying psychology jobs.
Here is a video summary based on this article
Table of Contents
#10. School Career Counselor
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Comparably
- Low Range: $28,800 per year
- High Range: $43,200 per year
- Median Pay: $36,000 per year
What do they do?
School career counselors help students figure out what they want to do with their lives. They often work as a liaison between the school, students, and parents throughout the student’s education. These school psychologists also perform research on industries and careers that match the student’s interests.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
To become a school career counselor, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in counseling or psychology. But most employers prefer candidates who have at least a master’s degree in these areas. Some jobs require certification as well.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
There are many different employers in this field: schools, community centers, and organizations that offer services specifically targeted toward low-income families.
What is the best way to get this job?Â
You should start by earning at least a bachelor’s degree in counseling or social work to get this job. You’ll also want to get experience working at an institution where you can learn how to work with students on their academic and career goals. Then it’s time to start searching for entry-level jobs.
#9. Psychology Teacher
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Salary.com
- Low Range: $39,580 per year
- High Range: $67,718 per year
- Median Pay: $52,269 per year
What do they do?
Psychology teachers work with children from elementary school through high school, teaching them about the human mind and how it works.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Employers love graduates who have taken courses in psychology as well as education courses at the undergraduate level or above. These courses will teach you how children learn best, which is essential knowledge for becoming an effective teacher.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Psychology teachers work in schools, hospitals, and community centers.Â
What is the best way to get this job?
The fastest way to get this job is by completing an education program specifically designed for psychology teachers. This program will provide you with all of the necessary coursework and hands-on training needed to become an effective teacher who can inspire your students while helping them grow academically.
What’s it like to be a high school teacher?
#8. Sports Psychologists
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $20,500 per year
- High Range: $152,500 per year
- Median Pay: $73,501 per year
What do they do?
Sports psychologists are the people who help athletes and teams manage their mental health and well-being. They use a range of techniques, including psychotherapy, counseling, coaching, and hypnotherapy, to help their clients improve performance.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
The level of education preferred by employers varies depending on the kind of work you want to do. For example, most sports psychologists need a master’s degree in sports psychology or clinical psychology (or another related field).
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Sports psychologists work in schools and universities, healthcare facilities, sports teams and leagues, government agencies, hospitals, private practice clinics, corporations, research facilities, prisons, military organizations, etc.
What is the best way to get this job?
There are many different ways to get into this type of job. One way is to go through an internship while still studying at school (which many people do). This gives you hands-on experience working directly with athletes while still learning under someone else’s supervision.
What’s it like to be a sports psychologist?
#7. Forensic Psychologists
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $40,000 per year
- High Range: $103,000 per year
- Median Pay: $73,755 per year
What do they do?
Forensic psychologists work with law enforcement offices and courts to help solve mental health issues that may come up during criminal investigations. They also help determine whether or not an individual is competent to stand trial or if they need treatment instead.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Employers prefer applicants with a master’s degree in forensic psychology. However, many employers also require applicants to have passed a licensing exam.
In addition, candidates should have at least one year of experience working with clients within their field of expertise.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Forensic psychologists can work for law enforcement agencies, hospitals, prisons, courts, or universities.
What is the best way to get this job?
To become a forensic psychologist, you’ll need to earn at least a master’s degree in psychology. You can then apply for internships with police departments and other related organizations. During your training, you’ll learn about the different types of cases and how law enforcement agencies handle them.
Once you’ve completed your internship, you can apply for jobs as a forensic psychologist.
What’s it like to be a forensic psychologist?
#6. Military Psychologist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $22,000 per year
- High Range: $154,000 per year
- Median Pay: $80,460 per year
What do they do?
Military psychologists are key members of an army unit’s mental health team. They provide support to soldiers who have suffered traumatic events and help them cope with the challenges they face in their day-to-day lives. These psychologists also provide counseling to soldiers experiencing mental illnesses that may affect their ability to do their jobs, such as depression or anxiety.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Military psychologists are typically only open to people with a master’s degree in clinical psychology or another related field, such as social work. However, some companies may hire applicants with bachelor’s degrees if they have experience working in a similar position.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Military psychologists work primarily in hospitals and clinics located near military bases, where they can provide counseling services on site. Some may work remotely using videoconferencing technology so they can consult with clients around the country or even overseas.
What is the best way to get this job?
The fastest way to get this job is to have experience working with veterans and soldiers, as well as knowledge of military culture and terminology. Employers will also look for applicants who have a background in psychology or related fields, such as counseling or psychiatry.
What’s it like to be a military psychologist?
#5. Counseling Psychologists
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $21,500 per year
- High Range: $159,000 per year
- Median Pay: $86,938 per year
What do they do?
Counseling psychologists are licensed mental health professionals who help people resolve difficulties and challenges in their lives. They use a combination of methods, including psychological assessment, psychotherapy, and behavioral interventions for mental health treatment.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most employers prefer that you have a master’s degree in counseling psychology. If you don’t have a master’s degree, you’ll need to take some extra classes before applying for jobs as a counseling psychologist.
Employers look for candidates who can listen well and build rapport with clients. They also value candidates who have experience working with children or adults in educational settings, such as schools or universities.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Counseling psychologists often work in hospitals or mental health clinics. However, they can also find work in schools, universities, private practice offices, and community agencies.
What is the best way to get this job?
To get this job, you need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology or education focusing on counseling. You’ll also need to complete an internship at a hospital or clinic before taking the licensing exam required by your state’s board of psychology.
What’s it like to be a counseling psychologist?
#4. Experimental Psychologists
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Salary.com
- Low Range: $69,911 per year
- High Range: $124,039 per year
- Median Pay: $98,635 per year
What do they do?
Experimental psychologists are responsible for designing and conducting experiments that seek to understand human behavior.Â
They work to understand better how people think, behave, and interact with their environment.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most employers require a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field such as cognitive science or neuroscience. Some employers may also need you to have a master’s or bachelor’s degree before hiring you for an entry-level position. However, this is less common than it used to be due to increased competition for jobs within these fields.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Experimental psychologists work at universities, government agencies, and private companies.Â
What is the best way to get this job?
You will need a Ph.D. in experimental psychology or related fields such as cognitive science or neuroscience to get this job. You should then apply for jobs at hospitals or schools, where you’ll have access to lots of clients and supervisors who can help you learn how to do your job well.
How do you become an experimental psychologist?
#3. Clinical Psychologists
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $83,000 per year
- High Range: $170,000 per year
- Median Pay: $114,055 per year
What do they do?
Clinical psychologists are a type of psychologist that works with patients who are experiencing mental illnesses. They help patients improve their lives by providing therapy and counseling, and they may also prescribe medication.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Employers prefer people with a master’s degree in psychology or clinical neuropsychology. Employers also look for experience working with patients in a clinical setting.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Clinical psychologists work in hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, or research centers.
What is the best way to get this job?
The quickest way to get this job is through an undergraduate degree program in psychology followed by graduate school training in clinical psychology (Ph.D.). You might find an entry-level position working in a hospital or clinic, but there are many opportunities outside of traditional healthcare settings as well. Schools often employ clinical psychologists as part-time employees.
What’s it like to be a clinical psychologist?
#2. Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $26,500 per year
- High Range: $153,000 per year
- Median Pay: $116,471 per year
What do they do?
Industrial-organizational psychologists are responsible for helping employers understand how to support their employees better to increase productivity. They often conduct research on how people think, feel, and behave in the workplace.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Employers prefer applicants with a master’s degree in psychology or a related field. You should also have two years of experience working as an industrial or organizational psychologist to get these positions.
The top three skills employers look for in an industrial-organizational psychologist are:
- Communication skills (both verbal and written).
- Problem-solving skills.
- Critical thinking skills.Â
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Industrial and organizational psychologists work in healthcare, education, and business services.
What is the best way to get this job?
If you’re interested in industrial and organizational psychology, your best bet is to get your master’s degree from an accredited university. Then get some experience working with companies hiring for these positions before applying for jobs directly.
What’s it like to be an industrial-organizational psychologist?
#1. Engineering Psychologists
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $85,000 per year
- High Range: $175,000 per year
- Median Pay: $117,123 per year
What do they do?
Engineering psychologists have a background in psychology and engineering fields and help companies design products that benefit people by considering their needs and wants. They also help companies understand how people interact with products to improve their designs over time.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Employers look for engineering psychologists who have a Ph.D. in psychology and have experience working with people in the workplace. But they are also open to hiring people with less experience who have other relevant skills.
Who’s hiring for these jobs?
Engineering psychologists work in universities, government agencies, and private companies. They may work as consultants.
What is the best way to get this job?
There are many ways to break into this field, from traditional psychology degrees to a master’s in engineering management. Some employers prefer candidates with experience in industrial or organizational psychology.
The most important thing you can do to get your foot in the door is to network with people who know what they’re doing. Get to know local recruiters and ask them if they have any openings for an engineering psychologist role.
Should you become an engineering psychologist?
Conclusion
There you have it-the highest-paying psychology jobs!
As you can see, there are many career possibilities in psychology. If you want to become a psychologist, you can choose one of these positions or start your own practice in private practice.
This field is wide open for people with a passion for helping others.Â
