If you’re curious about the mental processes behind the way people think and behave, then psychology may be of interest to you. Gaining a deep understanding of human behavior can open up career paths in various industries such as government, business, and healthcare. Luckily, there are a wide variety of high-paying jobs that use psychology.
But is psychology in high demand? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologists have a job outlook of eight percent, which matches the average for all occupations. In light of this, having a degree in psychology can set you up for successful, meaningful employment. This article covers topics like what is psychology and the best jobs that use psychology.
What Is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behavior. This includes biological, social, and environmental aspects of human development and experience. Psychology involves conducting research to understand different aspects of people such as their cognitive processes, clinical disorders, and behavioral tendencies.
Psychology aims to understand people on a deep level including but not limited to motivation, memory, emotion, brain processes, and how we relate to one another. A career in mental health can provide a broad scope of fulfillment and can be applied in a variety of settings.
Is Psychology in High Demand?
Yes, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall job outlook for psychologists is projected to grow by eight percent from 2020 to 2030. Clinical, counseling, and school psychologist jobs are expected to grow by 10 percent. In the coming years, psychology degrees will become even more valued in the business world.
Types of Psychology Jobs
A degree in psychology can open up a range of jobs that is extensive and varied, giving you a definite possibility of finding one that suits your interest, strengths, and remuneration requirements. The field of psychology has a high median salary within the job market. Below is information on these jobs so you can find the perfect fit for you.
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychologists are trained in various techniques to assess, diagnose, and treat various mental and behavioral disorders. They are licensed professionals who provide mental health services in a wide variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, and private clinics.
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychologists work in the psychological assessment of people in the legal system. These can be criminals, witnesses, legal workers, or victims of crimes. Another aspect of forensic psychology is the analysis of evidence to help solve criminal cases.
School Psychologist
School psychologists work as mental health counselors in educational facilities to help children and teenagers deal with behavioral, academic, and social concerns. They work with faculties to create better school environments. They can also design, action, and arrange mental health programs for students, families, and even faculty.
How to Establish a Career in Psychology
There is a broad range of jobs that will open up once you are a psychology graduate. From clinical psychology, mental health counseling, social work, and special education to marketing and sales positions, to university professors.
- Get a bachelor’s in psychology. A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology will provide a psychology student with knowledge of general psychology, social psychology, development psychology, and statistics. These are some of the core units of a psychology major.
- Choose the field in which you want to specialize. A Master’s Degree and a Doctoral Degree in Psychology will provide specific skills in the arena that interests you most. You can specialize and pursue your professional psychology goals. Some career paths in psychology require a doctoral degree and a medical license.
- Get on-the-job experience. Internships and volunteering are ways to gain the experience you need to become a licensed psychologist. Most US states expect 1,500 to 2,000 hours of training and at least one or two years of supervised on-the-job experience.
- Networking. Networking is an essential part of success for any professional, and psychology is no different. Doing this can increase your chances of employment and shorten your job search before landing a career in psychology.
- Get licensed to practice. All states in the US require psychologists to be licensed. There are some slight differences in requirements in some states and you should look it up for your state if the field of psychology is of interest to you. Many psychology-related careers also require a Doctorate in Psychology.
The 15 Best Jobs That Use Psychology
Psychology graduate students have a wide range of specializations to consider. It is time to look at the different job opportunities a psychology degree provides once you are qualified. Read on to find out the primary duties, average annual salaries, and job outlook for different roles. These are not all the professions that apply. We have focused on the best ones to help you decide.
| Job Title | Average Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts | $144,497 | 22% |
| Organizational Psychologist | $112,690 | 13% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologist | $108,072 | 7% |
| Clinical Psychologist | $89,290 | 8% |
| School Psychologist | $89,290 | 11% |
| Counseling Psychologist | $89,290 | 8%* |
| Correctional Psychologist | $87,010 | 4% |
| Engineering Psychologist | $82,815 | 8%* |
| Forensic Psychologist | $82,624 | 8%* |
| Sports Psychologist | $75,141 | 8%* |
| Experimental Psychologist | $75,141 | 8%* |
| Developmental Psychologist | $75,141 | 8%* |
| Educational Psychologist | $75,141 | 8%* |
| Rehabilitation Psychologist | $75,141 | 8%* |
| Family Therapist | $53,664 | 16% |
*Job outlook has been sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on psychologists.
What Careers Use Psychology? An In-Depth List
Market Research Analysts
Psychology majors can work as market research analysts in a business setting. Market research analysts use their skills in research and statistical analysis to gather and analyze consumer data. This data can be used by the company to better target its customers and make informed decisions. Learn how to become a marketing analyst to put your research skills to use.
Organizational Psychologist
Organizational psychologists work in businesses to improve various workplace outcomes such as productivity, health, and quality of the work environment. Sometimes, they collaborate with human resources in the testing and validation processes for hiring and promoting workers. Read this guide on how to get into organizational psychology.
Clinical Neuropsychologist
Clinical neuropsychologists study the relationships between the systems of the brain and behavior, such as how our brains create and store memories. Clinical neuropsychologists study brain-related functions and usually work with people to recover from brain injury or trauma such as a stroke.
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychology is one of the most popular careers for people with a Master’s Degree in Psychology. Clinical psychologists work to diagnose and treat clients suffering from various mental illnesses, emotional disorders, and behavioral disorders. Some psychologists opt to serve specific demographics like youths, or families, within businesses or private practices.
School Psychologist
School psychologists are usually employed full-time in an academic setting and sometimes work for a whole district. They assess and counsel students with learning difficulties and emotional concerns. School counselors also consult their families as these concerns usually affect the entire family. Understanding child and teenage development is paramount to this career path.
Counseling Psychologist
Counseling psychologists understand development across all ages and stages of life, including intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Getting a master’s in counseling psychology will open up opportunities for you to assess, diagnose, and remedy various concerns like emotional, educational, occupational, and even physical disabilities affecting clients’ mental wellbeing.
Correctional Psychologist
Correctional psychologists work within the criminal justice system as part of a team, including caseworkers, attorneys, and correctional facility staff, to reduce the antisocial behaviors of inmates. They also counsel them after receiving treatment. This is to both help the inmate and create a safe environment for all inmates.
Engineering Psychologist
Engineering psychologists understand the relationship between people and machines. They design computers or devices to complement humans, preventing fatigue and increasing efficiency and safety. Engineering psychologists work in businesses and agencies like the Department of Defense to reduce the potential for human error with machines and technology.
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychologists use psychology within the legal system. They use their understanding of human psychology and crime to provide expert analysis on criminals, witnesses, jury attendants, and other related factors. If law and psychology are your passions, find out the best online forensic psychology master’s degrees to get started in this career.
Sports Psychologist
Sports psychologists work with sports professionals to refine and maintain focus and deal with the stresses accompanying this arena. This area of psychology careers is experiencing growth as more young people get into competitive sports. Understanding kinesiology is important for treating people in this field.
Experimental Psychologist
Experimental psychologists conduct research to improve scientific knowledge and understanding of human behavior and experience. They conduct experiments to collect data and analyze the data using statistical techniques to see whether the results of the study support the theory. They work mostly in academics, usually choosing a highly specialized area of study.
Developmental Psychologist
Developmental psychologists in previous years were concerned with child development and adolescence. Today, they also study adult development as life expectancy in the US has increased to 80 years. For example, they might research ways to help aging people maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Educational Psychologist
Educational psychologists study human learning, cognitive abilities, and motivation, focusing on social and cultural variances in the class environment. Educational psychologists work in educational settings like schools and research facilities like universities.
Rehabilitation Psychologist
Rehabilitation psychologists help people affected by mental disabilities, drug abuse, strokes, injuries resulting from accidents, and developmental disadvantages like epilepsy. They usually work in mental health clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and policy-making relating to patient care.
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Family Therapist
Family therapists are usually qualified psychologists, clinical social workers, or licensed therapists. Family therapy works with families to improve their ability to deal with conflict or difficult times. Often, therapy is short-term but assists willing and able participants even after treatment has ended.
Should You Get a Job in Psychology?
Yes, if you are interested in helping people who are struggling with a mental or behavioral disorder. The study of psychology makes students well-rounded staff that employers in a variety of fields actively seek out. Sometimes they work in private practices, businesses, or clinical settings.
Annual salaries are between $53,664 and $144,497 and job outlook ranges from four to 22 percent. Given the increased need and current shortage of mental health professionals like psychologists, we expect the job outlook to increase substantially, meaning more psychology career opportunities. Advanced degrees in psychology help you fulfill this need and opportunity.
Jobs That Use Psychology FAQ
• Industrial-organizational Psychologist
• Clinical Neuropsychologist
• Clinical Psychologist
• School Psychologist
• Counseling Psychologist
• Engineering Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Sports Psychologist
• Experimental Psychologist
• Developmental Psychologist
• Educational Psychologist
• Rehabilitation Psychologist
• Correctional Psychologist
• Family Therapist
• Market Research Analysts
Yes. Various facilities offer flexible online learning options for a degree in psychology. Some of the best ones will also provide excellent job search tools, like writing professional resume tips and preparing mock interviews. They also have flexible payment options.
Yes, they are. Psychology degrees are undoubtedly vital in the world of psychology, as can be seen in this article. There is a wide range of career paths available for people with undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology. The median salary for clinical psychologists is $89,290 with a job growth rate of eight percent.
Psychology is the science of understanding the emotional, cognitive, developmental, and educational aspects of being human. Careers in psychology involve trying to help people with a wide range of mental disorders and behavioral issues to improve mental health.
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