Travel is required to attend conferences or conduct research. Psychologists held about 166,000 jobs in 1998. Educational institutions employed about 4 out of 10 salaried psychologists in positions other than teaching, such as counseling, testing, research, and administration. Three out of 10 were employed in health services, primarily in hospitals, mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and other health facilities. Government agencies at the Federal, State, and local levels employed about 17 percent.
Governments employ psychologists in hospitals, clinics, correctional facilities, and other settings.
The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense employ a majority of the psychologists working for Federal agencies. Some psychologists work in social service organizations, research organizations, management consulting firms, marketing research firms, and other businesses. After several years of experience, some psychologists usually those with doctoral degrees enter private practice or set up private research or consulting firms. About one half of psychologists are self-employed. Psychologists with a Ph.D. qualify for a wide range of teaching, research, clinical, and counseling positions in universities, elementary and secondary schools, private industry, and government.