Open Your Mind to These 12 Popular Psychology Career Paths
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What are the most popular types of psychology jobs? With a doctorate in psychology, you can pursue work as a counseling psychologist, school psychologist, or clinical psychologist. A master’s in psychology, meanwhile, can help you qualify for roles like industrial-organizational psychologist and counselor.
A psychology degree prepares you for more than just psychology and counseling careers, however — you can also pursue work as a social worker or behavior specialist. This guide explores some of the most popular psychology careers.
Did You Know…
- Psychologists earned a median salary of $92,740 per year as of May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- Every year, around 126,000 undergraduates earn bachelor’s degrees in psychology.
- Psychologists will benefit from a projected 12,800 job openings each year from 2022-2032.
- The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes over 50 subfields of psychology.
Popular Online Psychology Bachelor’s Programs
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12 Popular Psychology Jobs and Specializations
Explore our list of psychology careers below to find salary data, job growth stats, and the minimum degree you’ll need for different specializations.
1. Clinical Psychologist
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $96,100, according to the BLS
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +11%
- Minimum Degree Required: Doctorate
Clinical psychologists provide mental and behavioral healthcare to individuals and families. You’ll have broad career options in this role, including direct patient care, academia, and research.
2. Counseling Psychologist
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $96,100, according to the BLS
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +11%
- Minimum Degree Required: Doctorate
Counseling psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat patients with emotional, social, and physical challenges that affect their mental health. Many work in private practice and at public health organizations.
3. Child Psychologist
- Median Annual Salary (May 2024): $72,860, according to Payscale
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +11% (clinical and counseling psychologists)
- Minimum Degree Required: Doctorate
Child psychologists provide psychological services to babies, toddlers, children, and teenagers — patients whose needs change over time.
4. School Psychologist
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $84,940, according to the BLS
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +1%
- Minimum Degree Required: Doctorate
School psychologists help students with family issues, learning disabilities, and other emotional and psychological challenges. Many school districts across the U.S. employ full-time school psychologists.
5. Marriage and Family Therapist
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $58,510, according to the BLS
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +15%
- Minimum Degree Required: Master’s
These professionals study family systems and human behavior, focusing on the psychological health of people in the context of families. Many work at private practices, at hospitals, or in advocacy.
6. Forensic Psychologist
- Median Annual Salary (May 2024): $78,990, according to Payscale
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +5% (all other psychologists)
- Minimum Degree Required: Doctorate
Forensic psychology is an ideal specialization if you’re interested in the relationship between psychology and crime. These psychologists study human behavior as it relates to the law and may even provide expert testimony in certain cases. They must have an excellent understanding of the legal system, mental health conditions, and family systems.
7. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $147,420, according to the BLS
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +6%
- Minimum Degree Required: Master’s
These psychologists focus on improving the quality of work life to increase productivity and maintain a healthy atmosphere. Industrial-organizational psychologists often work for companies as management consultants and human resources officers.
8. Health Psychologist
- Median Annual Salary (May 2024): $83,100, according to Payscale
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +11% (clinical and counseling psychologists)
- Minimum Degree Required: Doctorate
Health psychologists work to understand how biological, psychological, and social factors can affect health and wellness. They may study how people react to illness and create plans with other healthcare professionals to improve recovery times. Most health psychologists work in hospitals or private practice.
9. Neuropsychologist
- Median Annual Salary (May 2024): $104,160, according to Payscale
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +5% (all other psychologists)
- Minimum Degree Required: Doctorate
These specialists examine how the brain influences behavior. They study memory, perception, and behavior, along with the effects of injury on the brain. Some neuropsychologists assist patients in figuring out long-term care. Most neuropsychologists work in research and development or at hospitals or universities.
10. Rehabilitation Counselor
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $44,040, according to the BLS
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +2%
- Minimum Degree Required: Master’s
Rehabilitation counselors improve the lives of people with mental and physical disabilities or injuries. These specialists often find employment in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. They may also work in policymaking to advocate for patient care.
11. Mental Health Counselor
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $53,710, according to the BLS
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +18%
- Minimum Degree Required: Master’s
Mental health counselors help clients improve their relationships, emotional health, and mental health. Some specialize in treating children, couples, or people with anxiety or depression. Related specialties include addiction counseling and behavioral disorder counseling. Some roles require a license and a master’s degree.
12. Consulting Psychologist
- Median Annual Salary (May 2024): $80,520, according to Payscale
- Job Growth Rate (2022-2032): +11% (all other psychologists)
- Minimum Degree Required: Doctorate
Consulting psychologists conduct individual assessments, provide group consultations, and help organizations through their knowledge of psychology. They may create psychological assessments for hiring employees, advise executives on organizational change, or consult on organizational issues.
Additional Careers in the Field of Psychology to Consider
- Educational psychologist
- Cognitive psychologist
- Developmental psychologist
- Engineering psychologist
- Biopsychologist
- Environmental psychologist
- Evolutionary psychologist
- Experimental psychologist
- Geropsychologist
- Quantitative and measurement psychologist
- Social psychologist
- Sport psychologist
How to Become a Psychologist
Many advanced psychology career paths include roles that use the “psychologist” title. In the United States, you must hold a license to practice as a psychologist. To qualify for a license, you must have a doctorate in psychology. APA accreditation requirements extend to doctoral credentials in some states.
Beyond your academic qualifications, you must also participate in a specified number of supervised experience hours and pass an examination to earn your license. Supervised experience standards vary by state, but the APA reports a range of 1,500-6,000 hours. All licensure candidates must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
Not all practice-focused career paths in psychology require a doctorate. For instance, you can become a licensed counselor or therapist in most states with a master’s degree. You can also pursue management-level roles in human resources or industrial-organizational psychology without a doctorate or license, as long as you don’t specifically call yourself a “psychologist.”
Jobs in Psychology, Counseling, and Therapy: How Do They Compare?
What’s the difference between psychology, counseling, and therapy jobs? If you’re interested in psychology, you’ve probably considered therapist and counselor roles.
Learn more about the differences in the table below.
| Job | Description | Minimum Degree Required | Licensure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychologist | Helps people cope with mental health problems; Can teach, conduct research, and treat clinical patients | Doctorate | Mandatory state licensure |
| Counselor | Helps patients overcome life and psychological obstacles; Cannot provide direct patient care to those with serious mental health conditions | Master’s | Varies by state |
| Therapist | Uses psychological principles to improve patient behavior and thinking | Master’s | Mandatory licensure in states where the term “therapist” is protected |
Psychology Degree Career Paths Besides “Psychologist”
Not all psychology majors attend graduate school to become psychologists. Many fields value professionals who understand how people think and operate. If you’re not interested in the long road to becoming a psychologist, you might consider psychology career paths in other fields like healthcare, marketing, and criminal justice.
| Job | Minimum Degree Required | Median Annual Salary (2023) | Job Growth Rate (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Manager | Bachelor’s | $157,620 | +6% |
| Sales Manager | Bachelor’s | $135,160 | +4% |
| Training Manager | Bachelor’s | $125,040 | +6% |
| Social and Community Service Managers | Bachelor’s | $77,030 | +9% |
| Public Relations Specialist | Bachelor’s | $66,750 | +6% |
| Human Resources Specialist | Bachelor’s | $67,650 | +6% |
| High School Teacher | Bachelor’s | $65,220 | +1% |
| Social Worker | Bachelor’s or master’s | $58,380 | +7% |
Resources for Jobs in the Psychology Field
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: This organization is home to thousands of psychiatrists. Member benefits include networking opportunities, continuing education, and annual subscriptions and discounts to publications.
- American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology: This site provides information for psychology professionals — including board certification quizzes and annual conferences — and people seeking board-certified neuropsychologists.
- American Board of Professional Psychology: Here, psychologists in all specialties can get information on career advancement, continuing education, and mentorship opportunities.
- American Psychoanalytic Association: APSA is a resource for those who want to learn more about the field and a membership site for professionals. The association also offers continuing education and member benefits.
- American Psychological Association: APA is one of the main sources of information on general psychology education, professional leadership, and research.
- Association of Black Psychologists: This member-based group for Black psychologists offers member benefits and information for professionals and aspiring psychologists.
- National Association of School Psychologists: As a resource hub and member-based group, NASP provides benefits, certification information, and research opportunities for practicing school psychologists.
- Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology: This professional association for industrial-organizational psychologists publishes research, hosts events, and provides professional development resources. SIOP also hosts a career center with job information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology Career Paths
The highest-paid psychologists work in industrial-organizational psychology and neuropsychology to make more than $130,000 per year, according to May 2023 BLS data. The best-paying industries for psychologists include public sector and hospital jobs.
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