Eight Lucrative Careers to Pursue With a Degree in Psychology

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If you have a degree in psychology or are planning on earning the qualification, there are a number of different career paths to choose from after graduation, including many roles that offer high salaries.

Here are just eight lucrative careers you could pursue with a psychology degree. 

1. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

With your degree in psychology, you could become an industrial-organizational psychologist. The role involves providing valuable insights into human behaviors and motivations to help create better workplace environments. 

You might be perfect for this role if you enjoy helping individuals and businesses succeed through practices that improve morale, productivity, and work-life balance.

According to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, industrial-organizational psychologists earned an impressive $144,610 per annum on average. 

2. Psychological Researcher

The position of psychological researcher is another high-paying position. According to PayScale, the position pays, on average, $110,000 annually.

The job involves conducting experiments or surveys to gather data about cognitive processes or emotional responses. 

If you prefer academia to face-to-face jobs, this position could be ideal for you.

3. Psychiatrist 

Although this career pathway may necessitate additional schooling beyond your psychology degree, it certainly pays off when it comes to salary figures. The mean annual wage in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was $247,350.

As a psychiatrist, your role would revolve around diagnosing and treating mental health disorders through different strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis, or even medication. 

If you are able to listen empathetically to patients’ experiences, you will want to consider becoming a psychiatrist.

4. Clinical Psychologist 

If you are interested in providing therapeutic care, consider becoming a clinical psychologist. 

You would use what you learned in your psychology degree to diagnose and treat an array of mental illnesses and disorders in diverse settings such as hospitals, counseling centers, or private practices. 

A clinical psychologist can expect to make a comfortable salary of $102,740 per year, on average, according to the 2022 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

5. School Psychologist

While lower-paid than the other roles we have discussed, working as a school psychologist still comes with an impressive salary of $87,550 per annum, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In this role, you would be tasked with helping students overcome personal issues and enhance their learning process using different strategies. 

If you are passionate about molding young minds and advocating for better educational environments, this may be the career path for you. 

6. Neuropsychologist 

If you find the science of brain functions fascinating, becoming a neuropsychologist might be an exciting career for you. 

In this role, you would investigate how behaviors correlate with brain systems and structures. 

By working with patients who have suffered from strokes, brain injuries, or neurodegenerative diseases, you will have the chance to apply your knowledge from your psychology degree in real-world medical situations. 

According to PayScale, neuropsychologists earn an average of $92,837 per annum.

7. Counseling Psychologist

You could consider becoming a counseling psychologist. 

In this role, you would provide emotional support and strategies for dealing with mental health issues. You could work with individuals, groups, or families who are dealing with things like stress, trauma, or substance abuse. 

As a counseling psychologist, you would be on the same pay scale as a clinical psychologist, so at present, you could earn $102,740 annually.

8. Forensic Psychologist 

As a forensic psychologist, you would apply psychological principles to criminal investigation processes, such as assessing criminals’ states of mind at the time of offenses or evaluating their competency to stand trial.

This role provides a captivating work life if law and human behavior intrigue you. 

Furthermore, the position pays well. On average, forensic psychologists make up to $125,000 annually on average.

Exploring and Finding Jobs

If you want to dive into psychology careers further and explore the various roles you could pursue, take a look at the different positions that are available on the Psychology Jobs website. 

The site will also undoubtedly be beneficial once you are ready to start finding work.

A Quick Recap

There are many different jobs you could pursue with a degree in psychology, but if you are looking for one that comes with a lucrative salary, consider becoming a:

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist.
• Psychological Researcher.
• Psychiatrist.
• Clinical Psychologist.
• School Psychologist.
• Neuropsychologist.
• Counseling Psychologist.
• Forensic Psychologist.