The current psychologist salary fluctuates based on a number of factors. One good place to get a feel for the various earning potentials is in the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Department of Labor. This handbook was published in 2008, and it gives a good idea of the median salary in the marketplace today.
According to the handbook, the median salary is around $64,000 for counseling, clinical and school psychologists. On the lower end of the salary range is entry level positions at $38K, and on the upper end salaries can go as high as $106K It really depends on your experience and what field of psychology you are aiming for.
For instance, a clinical psychologist will make in the low $60s. Cognitive psychologists come in at around $55K, and forensic psychologists make about $60k. General health psychologists make about $40 for an entry-level position and command around $85k for people with more experience.
Human resource management, employee productivity and training are just a few of the areas that an Industrial/Organization psychologist deals with earning up to $100K+ per year. According to the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology has noted that while you can get up to certain salary levels, starting out the pay is low. Salaries vary but follow a certain level: Master\’s degree is around $39,000; Ph.D. starts at $55,000; the median salary level is $80,000 which comes from working in the private sector.
Most people with a bachelor\’s degree tend to work in the human resources area, although there are opportunities in other areas. Getting a master\’s degree will raise the salary of anyone working in the field. With a Ph.D. a person can find employment opportunities all over the psychology field.
One of the highest paid types of psychologists out there are the Industrial/Organizational psychologists, because it requires a certain type of individual to be effective. Unlike counseling or clinical psychology, the Industrial/Organizational psychology position requires a great deal of research and the ability to crunch numbers. Because this job involves extensive research and a good knowledge of statistics, only certain types of people will find this job rewarding.
Clinical psychology is more about dealing with people, assessing, diagnosing and providing treatment for mental disorders. It also includes preventative methods, and the ability to work in a medical setting. they work in a medical setting, clinical psychologists are not doctors. The psychology subcategory covers a wide range of groups: learning disabled, drug and alcohol abuse, childhood, adult and geriatric mental health issues.
Taught a wide variety of techniques and approaches, a clinical psychologist can look to earn between $40,000 and $50,000.
Psychologist salary aside, you should get into a career that you find challenging and rewarding. If you\’re a people person, then the Industrial/Organizational psychology profession might not be for you. However, if you like working with statistics and find extensive research a challenging and rewarding job goal, you might want to pursue the Industrial-Organizational psychology position.
To find out more about the psychologist salary, how to become a psychologist and many more, be sure to visit: Psychologist Salary