Psychologist Salary Information: Psychology Careers
Your career in psychology will have many rewards. You'll have the satisfaction of knowing that your daily work has a positive impact on people's lives. You'll also have plenty of new challenges and learning opportunities to keep your work interesting. A psychology career, however, offers more than just these intangible rewards. As of July 2008, Salary Wizard reported that the average expected psychologist salary in the United States was $76,741 per year.
Recent surveys from PayScale Inc. indicate that the highest paid among psychologists are industrial/organizational psychologists, possibly because most of them are employed by larger corporations. Other options for a profitable psychology career include the following:
- Child psychologist
- Clinical psychologist
- Counseling psychologist
- Educational psychologist
- Family psychologist
- Forensic psychologist
- Sports psychologist
Psychology Salaries
While education provides a great foundation for a psychology career, the field of psychology is all about working with people—which makes on-the-job experience invaluable. The best psychology salaries generally go to those with the most experience. According to PayScale.com, the following are the average yearly psychology salaries in various specialty areas:
| Experience | 0 - 1 year | 1 - 4 years | 5 - 9 years | 10 - 19 years | 20+ years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical psychologist | $50,977 | $52,981 | $63,006 | $70,270 | $75,954 |
| Counseling psychologist | $38,710 | $44,491 | $55,815 | $61,972 | $64,964 |
| Forensic psychologist | $53,500 | $53,692 | $60,286 | $74,354 | $79,075 |
| School psychologist | $38,710 | $44,491 | $55,815 | $61,972 | $64,964 |
| Industrial psychologist | $43,255 | $57,301 | $74,311 | $87,018 | $102,500 |
Factors Influencing Psychology Salaries
In psychology careers, as in all fields, salaries depend on variety of factors. Your salary might be higher or lower than average based on the following factors:
- Geographic location
- The specific economy of your city or town will play a part in determining how much you'll earn. For instance, in New York City, average salaries are often far higher than in other locations. However, housing costs and the general cost of living is also higher. Whether you seek a job in a city or a rural town, an economically depressed area or an affluent area, your salary will most likely be proportional to those of others in your geographic location.
- Experience
- For those who are just starting out as psychologists, salaries are often lower than for those who have been working in the industry for awhile. Experience is a great teacher. Over time, your skill and confidence will increase. You may also gain recognition among your peers and reputation in your community that will strengthen your practice or make you a more valuable employee.
- Type of Industry
- Both your psychology specialty and the type of company or industry you work in will also be a determining factor in your compensation. For example, industrial psychologists working for the federal government make more than their counterparts in other industries. In other psychology specialties, hospitals tend to pay higher salaries to psychologists than other employers.
- Education Level
- Your earning potential and attractiveness as a job candidate will increase as you pursue higher levels of education. Job prospects are usually the best for psychologists who have a doctoral degree. These degrees will not only open up a wider variety of career choices, but they will allow you to negotiate higher salaries in those jobs.
Prepare to Earn a Higher Salary as a Psychologist
Get the training you'll need to begin a psychology career and start earning a salary that reflects your expertise. Find a psychology school and program that fits your career goals, and request more information, today.
