14 Top Psychology Degree Jobs
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Updated January 28, 2025
14 top jobs you can get with a psychology degree
Here are some top psychology degree jobs you can explore:1. School psychologist
National average salary: $57,391 per year Primary duties: School psychologists provide support to children in dealing with educational, behavioral, and developmental challenges. They diagnose issues and implement personalized interventions at the individual or school levels. School psychologists typically work within schools, where they observe, diagnose, design and implement performance plans and evaluate overall performance.Find school psychologist jobs2. Therapist
National average salary: $72,154 per yearPrimary duties: A therapist assists clients in processing thoughts, emotions, and decisions, working to improve their overall mental health and happiness. Although each therapist has a unique approach, they generally assess clients and engage in ongoing conversations as they learn more about them. Therapists can specialize in various areas, such as social work or marriage and family therapy. Find therapist jobs3. Behavior analyst
National average salary: $74,526 per yearPrimary duties: Behavior analysts study and develop plans to improve or change specific aspects of human behavior. They work in various settings, such as hospitals, schools, correctional facilities, and government departments. They may work with a diverse range of patients or clients, including those with brain injuries, psychiatric conditions, children, and veterans.Find behavior analyst jobs4. Psychology professor
National average salary: $93,415 per year Primary duties: Psychology professors work in higher-level and graduate education institutions, teaching students about psychology terms, methods, theories and more. They develop curriculum and hold classes on a regular basis. They are also responsible for distributing assignments and projects, assessing dissertations, grading papers and creating exams.Find psychology professor jobs5. Industrial psychologist
National average salary: $108,072 per year Primary duties: Industrial or organizational psychologists use their knowledge about behavior within groups or organizations to develop training, make processes more efficient and improve other aspects of work within a business. Find industrial psychologist jobs6. Military psychologist
National average salary: $108,072 per yearPrimary duties: Military psychologists work with veterans and active military personnel to help treat mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder. They might also work with military families to assess and treat mental and behavioral health issues.Find military psychologist jobs7. Counseling psychologist
National average salary: $108,072 per yearPrimary duties: A counseling psychologist works with patients or clients who seek psychological advisement. People can seek out counselors on their own or upon a doctor's recommendation. While some counseling psychologists may run their own practices and set their own schedules, others may work as part of another practice or at a hospital. Find counseling psychologist jobs8. Correctional psychologist
National average salary: $108,072 per year Primary duties: Correctional psychologists work with individuals who have been convicted of a crime and their families. Although they primarily work in correctional facilities such as jails and prisons, they may also provide support to individuals who have been released and are transitioning back into regular life.Find correctional psychologist jobs9. Sports psychologist
National average salary: $101,530 per year Primary duties: Sports psychologists work with athletes to address mental and behavioral issues so they can perform at their best. While they might develop plants for simple roadblocks like confidence levels or leadership abilities, they might also address more serious psychological issues. Find sports psychologist jobs10. Experimental psychologist
National average salary: $108,072 per yearPrimary duties: Experimental psychologists work with researchers to devise and execute experiments to learn more about human behavior and mental health. They spend time both experimenting and learning about psychological functions. Find experimental psychologist jobs11. Forensic psychologist
National average salary: $108,072 per yearPrimary duties: Forensic psychologists study the behaviors of people who commit crimes to answer questions about cases and document findings for future cases with similar details. They often work with local and federal law enforcement and are sometimes employed by police force programs. Find forensic psychologist jobs12. Clinical psychologist
National average salary: $220,745 per year Primary duties: Clinical psychologists study, diagnose and design treatment plans for patients with mental health challenges. They typically work in a hospital setting, but some might work directly with families in their homes or at private facilities like nursing homes. Find clinical psychologist jobs13. Psychiatrist
National average salary: $257,996 per yearPrimary duties: Psychiatrists typically work in hospitals, mental health clinics, and private practices, where they offer care to individuals with mental health issues. They frequently collaborate with psychologists to integrate medication with cognitive or behavioral therapy as a key component of mental health treatment.Find psychiatrist jobs14. Neuropsychiatrist
National average salary: $257,996 per year Primary duties: Neuropsychiatrists are doctors who observe, diagnose and treat abnormalities related to brain and nervous system functions. While they typically work in hospitals, others might work with mental health organizations or in assisted living establishments.Find neuropsychiatrist jobsSalary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at the time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organization and a candidate’s experience, academic background and location.Frequently asked questions
Is pursuing a psychology degree worth it?
Earning a psychology degree can potentially be a positive for your career, mainly due to the multiple choices it can offer. Besides working as a clinical or research psychologist, you can also pursue careers in fields that require a deep understanding of the human psyche, such as sales, marketing, management and public relations. Having this variety of choices means that you're likely to find a suitable career after earning a psychology degree.What are the different levels of psychology degrees?
The levels of psychology degrees include:- Associate degree: This undergraduate degree is an introduction for students to the basic concepts of psychology and takes two years to complete. Students can find associate degree courses at vocational schools and community colleges, and the degree certifies them for entry-level psychology roles, such as research assistant, health technician and home care aid.
- Bachelor's degree: Earning a bachelor's degree requires four years of study and prepares students for more advanced psychology careers than an associate degree. It also gives students the option to specialize in various sub-fields, such as clinical psychology and research.
- Master's degree: Students who want to pursue advanced psychology careers typically complete master's degree programs. They take two years to complete, and they usually either focus on aspects of the field like clinical practice and counseling or prepare students who want to pursue a doctoral degree.
- Doctoral degree: Completing a doctoral program typically takes four to seven years and is required for various advanced roles in both research and clinical psychology. It's also necessary for psychologists who want to want to work as professors or wish to perform independent research in this field.
What are some skills required to complete a psychology degree?
Earning a degree in psychology typically requires a specific set of skills. Some essential ones include:- Critical thinking: Analyzing human behavior and drawing relevant conclusions typically requires advanced critical thinking skills. You can improve your critical thinking while completing your degree by studying different types of personalities and behaviors.
- Communication: Working on your communication skills, with a focus on written communication, can have a positive impact on your success as a psychology student. There are multiple types of written projects that you have to create and submit while studying for your degree, such as essays, academic papers and presentations, so learning to express yourself clearly and eloquently can help you earn your degree.
- Research: Preparing for a psychology-related career typically requires advanced research skills. Due to the complexity of this field and the multiple behavioral traits that humans can display, being able to research various symptoms quickly and accurately can improve your chances of success both in college and in your future career.
- Problem-solving: Since multiple potential jobs that you can pursue after earning a psychology career involve overcoming various challenges, having problem-solving skills can be a key aspect of your academic success. For instance, students who want to work as clinical psychologists can use these skills to diagnose patients and work on treatment for their mental health issues.
The information on this site is provided as a courtesy and for informational purposes only. Indeed is not a career or legal advisor and does not guarantee job interviews or offers
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