### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Psychologists Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			psychologists imagePsychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior.							
						Quick Facts:     Psychologists2023     Median Pay
            						$92,740     per year
										$44.59     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    See How to Become OneWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Internship/residencyNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    196,000Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    6% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    12,000What Psychologists Do
                                                
                        
                        
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Psychologists work in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, and private practice. Most are full time, but part-time work is common. Some work evenings or weekends to accommodate their clients' schedules.
            
                                                How to Become a Psychologist
                                                
                        
Psychologists typically need an advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, in psychology. Licensing requirements vary by state and position.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for psychologists was $92,740 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of psychologists is projected to grow							 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 12,800 openings for psychologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for psychologists.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of psychologists with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about psychologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Psychologists Do 
            

			PsychologistsIndustrial-organizational psychologists apply psychological research and methods to workplace issues.			
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors.
Duties
Psychologists typically do the following:
Study behavior and brain function by observing, interviewing, and surveying individuals
Identify psychological, emotional, behavioral, or organizational issues and diagnose disorders
Research and identify behavioral or emotional issues, such as anxiety and depression
Test for patterns that will help them better understand and predict behavior
Discuss the results of testing with clients or their families and, if needed, develop treatment plans
Write articles, research papers, and reports to share findingsPsychologists seek to understand and explain thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Through techniques such as observation, assessment, and experimentation, they try to gain a better understanding about how beliefs and feelings influence people.
Psychologists often gather information and evaluate behavior through controlled laboratory experiments, psychoanalysis, or psychotherapy. They may administer personality, performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests. They look for patterns of behavior or relationships between events, and they use this information in their research or when treating clients.
The following are examples of types of psychologists:
***Clinical and counseling psychologists*** assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They help people deal with problems ranging from everyday issues to severe, chronic conditions.
Clinical and counseling psychologists typically interview clients, administer diagnostic tests, and provide psychotherapy to individuals, families, and groups. They help clients identify their strengths and available resources to prevent or manage problems, and they design behavior modification plans that they help clients to implement.
Clinical and counseling psychologists sometimes work with a specific population, such as older people, or focus on a specific condition, such as cognitive disorders. Some states permit clinical psychologists to prescribe medication.
***Industrial–organizational psychologists*** apply psychological principles to solve workplace problems and improve work-life quality. They study issues such as productivity, employee testing and selection, and organizational dynamics. They may work closely with top executives, training and development managers, and training and development specialists.
***School psychologists*** study strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental problems that impact students’ learning. They may design and implement performance plans, evaluate performance, and counsel students and families. They may consult with teachers, administrators, and other educators.
***Other psychologists*** include *forensic psychologists*, who work with judges, attorneys, and related specialists to understand the psychological aspects of a legal case; *neuropsychologists*, who study how dysfunction or damage to the brain, spine, or nerves affects behavior and cognition; and *rehabilitation psychologists*, who help foster independence in clients who have physical or developmental disabilities due to illness or injury.
Psychologists are among several specialists who focus on mental and behavioral health. For more information about some of these specialists, see the profiles on psychiatrists, a type of physician; marriage and family therapists,substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, and social workers.
 Work Environment
			PsychologistsCounseling psychologists often have their own practices.			

	    
				
	
	    	    		Psychologists held about 196,000 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up psychologists was distributed as follows:
    	    	
    	Clinical and counseling psychologists
                67,500School psychologists
                62,200Psychologists, all other
                56,300Industrial-organizational psychologists
                10,100The largest employers of psychologists were as follows:
        Self-employed workers
                28%Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private
                27Ambulatory healthcare services
                21Government
                8Hospitals; state, local, and private
                4Some psychologists work alone when researching, consulting with clients, or counseling clients. Others work as part of a team, collaborating with specialists to treat clients and promote overall wellness.
Work Schedules
Most psychologists work full time, but part-time work is common. They may work evenings or weekends to accommodate their clients’ schedules.
 How to Become a Psychologist

			PsychologistsIn most states, practicing psychology or using the title of “psychologist” requires licensure.			
Psychologists typically need an advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, in psychology. Licensing requirements vary by state and position.
Education
Psychologists typically need at least a master’s degree to enter the occupation. Applicants to graduate-level psychology programs typically have a bachelor's degree in a field such as psychology, education, or social science.
Clinical and counseling psychologists typically need a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. Ph.D. programs usually emphasize research that culminates in a dissertation, while Psy.D. programs focus on applying psychological principles to working with clients or patients. As part of either program, students are typically required to complete an internship.
Industrial–organizational psychologists typically need a master’s degree. Programs for these psychologists usually include courses in statistics, research design, and topics specific to understanding the relationships between people and workplaces.
School psychologists typically need at least a master’s degree in school psychology. Other degrees for school psychologists include education specialist (Ed.S.) and doctoral (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) degrees. School psychologist programs include coursework in education and psychology to address both of these components in students’ development. These programs also usually require completion of an internship.
Training
Most psychologists need supervised experience to qualify for licensure, which may include an internship or postdoctoral training. These experiences provide an opportunity for prospective psychologists to use their knowledge in an applied setting. The required number of hours for internships varies by state.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Most states require licensure for those who provide psychology services or use the title “psychologist.” All states and the District of Columbia require that psychologists who practice independently be licensed where they work. Licensing laws vary by state and by type of position. For more information, contact your state’s licensing board.
Clinical and counseling psychologists are licensed in every state. School psychologists also typically need a credential, such as a license or certification from their state’s board of education. Licensure typically requires applicants to have earned a master’s or doctoral degree and completed supervised experience. They also may need to have passed the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).
All states require psychologists to complete continuing education to maintain licensure. For more information about specific state requirements, visit the ASPPB.
Certification, which may be optional or may be required by employers, is available from professional associations. For example, the American Board of Professional Psychology offers certification in areas such as clinical health psychology, couple and family psychology, and rehabilitation psychology. The American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology offers certification in neuropsychology. Board certification typically requires candidates to have a doctoral degree and pass an examination.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Psychologists examine the information they collect and draw logical conclusions.
***Communication skills.*** Psychologists spend much of their time speaking with people, writing reports, and describing their research. They must be able to convey ideas both orally and in writing.
***Compassion.*** Psychologists often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations, so they must empathize with their clients.
***Integrity.*** Psychologists need to keep client discussions confidential. Clients must be able to trust psychologists’ expertise in treating sensitive issues.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Psychologists must be able to build a rapport with clients and work well with a variety of specialists.
***Observational skills.*** Psychologists study individuals and groups to understand their interactions. For example, they may observe facial expressions and other body language for clues about their clients’ attitudes and behaviors.
***Patience.*** Psychologists must be able to remain calm when working with all types of clients, including those who may be distressed.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Psychologists collect information, design research, evaluate programs, and find treatments or solutions to mental and behavioral problems.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                PsychologistsMedian annual wages, May 2023Psychologists$92,740  Social scientists and related workers$89,440  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for psychologists was $92,740 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $52,430, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $151,880.

			
                    	Median annual wages for psychologists in May 2023 were as follows:
        Industrial-organizational psychologists
		$147,420Psychologists, all other
		117,750Clinical and counseling psychologists
		96,100School psychologists
		84,940In May 2023, the median annual wages for psychologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Government
                $115,400Hospitals; state, local, and private
                102,660Ambulatory healthcare services
                98,380Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private
                84,440Psychologists work in variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, and private practice. Most are full time, but part-time work is common. Some work evenings or weekends to accommodate their clients’ schedules.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                PsychologistsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Psychologists6%  Social scientists and related workers5%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of psychologists is projected to grow				 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 12,800 openings for psychologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Employment of clinical, counseling, and school psychologists is projected to grow due to demand for psychological services in schools, hospitals, mental health centers, and social service agencies.
Demand for clinical and counseling psychologists will increase as more people turn to psychologists for help with their problems.
Employment of school psychologists will continue to grow because of an increased awareness of the connection between mental health and learning. These workers also will be needed to help students whose educational, behavioral, or developmental issues impact their ability to learn.
Organizations will continue to employ industrial–organizational psychologists to help with tasks such as selecting and retaining employees, implementing trainings, and improving office morale.
			

                        Employment projections data for     psychologists, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Psychologists**
			19-3030
			196,000
			208,000
			6
			12,000
			Get data**Industrial-organizational psychologists**
			19-3032
			10,100
			10,600
			6
			600
			Get data**Clinical and counseling psychologists**
			19-3033
			67,500
			75,200
			11
			7,700
			Get data**School psychologists**
			19-3034
			62,200
			63,000
			1
			800
			Get data**Psychologists, all other**
			19-3039
			56,300
			59,100
			5
			2,900
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Clinical and counseling psychologists
					Industrial-organizational psychologists
					Psychologists, all other
					School psychologists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of psychologists. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Market Research Analysts**
            Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service.
            Bachelor's degree
            $74,680**Marriage and Family Therapists**
            Marriage and family therapists diagnose and treat cognitive, behavioral, or similar disorders in the context of couples and other relationships.
            Master's degree
            $58,510**Physicians and Surgeons**
            Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            This wage is equal to or greater than $239,200 per year.**Postsecondary Teachers**
            Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.
            See How to Become One
            $84,380**School and Career Counselors and Advisors**
            School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment.
            Master's degree
            $61,710**Social Workers**
            Social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
            See How to Become One
            $58,380**Sociologists**
            Sociologists study society and social behavior.
            Master's degree
            $101,770**Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors**
            Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression.
            Bachelor's degree
            $53,710**Survey Researchers**
            Survey researchers design and conduct surveys and analyze data.
            Master's degree
            $60,960**Training and Development Specialists**
            Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,340
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about careers in all fields of psychology, visit
American Psychological Association
For more information about industrial–organizational psychologists, visit
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology
For more information about careers and certification in neuropsychology, visit
American Board of Professional Neuropsychology
For more information about careers for school psychologists, visit
National Association of School Psychologists
For more information about state licensing requirements, visit
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
For more information about psychology specialty certifications, visit
American Board of Professional Psychology
Occupational Requirements Survey
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
School psychologists (PDF)
CareerOneStop
For career videos on psychologists, visit
Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Clinical NeuropsychologistsClinical and Counseling PsychologistsIndustrial-Organizational PsychologistsNeuropsychologistsPsychologists, All OtherSchool Psychologists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections 
PSB Suite 2135 
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE  
Washington, DC 20212-0001 Telephone:1-202-691-5700 

www.bls.gov/ooh
Contact OOH