Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs With Psychology Degree 2024

Psychology has always been an area of society that has drawn the most interest and at times criticism. The idea that the mind is malleable enough to be able to be swayed or reprogrammed to adjust behavior in a way that benefits an individual or society at large has always been fascinating to millions of people worldwide.

Clinical psychologist Sigmund Freud was one of the most well known psychologists that has ever lived and had some radical theories. His main theory was that human behavior is influenced by unconscious memories, thoughts, and urges and his teachings have often form the basis of many a thesis by psychology majors.

Top 10 Highest Paying Psychology Jobs With A Psychology Degree Major 2024

1. Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses and emotional disorders. Becoming a psychiatrist requires several years of education and training.

The general steps to becoming a psychiatrist include, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree, taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), attending medical school, completing residency training in psychiatry, or obtaining medical licensure. Becoming a psychiatrist requires dedication, time, and hard work, but it can be a rewarding career for those who are passionate about mental health and helping others.

The average annual salary for a  psychologist in the US is $102.029. 

2. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist 

An Industrial-Organizational (I-O) psychologist is a professional who applies principles of psychology to the workplace, with a focus on improving organizational effectiveness and the well-being of employees. This specialized field of psychology seeks to understand human behavior in work settings and uses this knowledge to enhance productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall organizational performance.

Becoming an I-O psychologist involves a combination of education, training, and practical experience but there are general steps to pursue a career in this field which include, obtaining a Bachelor's in Psychology Degree, pursuing a master's or doctorate degree, obtaining licensure, or gaining professional certification.

The average annual salary for a Industrial-Organizational Psychologist in the US is $94,833.

3. Neuropsychologist 

A neuropsychologist is a specialized psychologist who focuses on understanding the relationship between brain function and behavior. They study how brain injuries, diseases, or abnormalities can affect cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning in individuals. Neuropsychologists use various assessment techniques to evaluate cognitive abilities, emotional functioning, and other aspects of brain function to help diagnose and treat neurological and neuropsychological disorders. 

To become a neuropsychologist, one typically needs to complete a doctoral degree in psychology with a specialization in neuropsychology or clinical neuropsychology. After completing the doctoral program, neuropsychologists often pursue postdoctoral training or fellowships to gain specialized knowledge and practical experience in this area.

The average annual salary for a Neuropsychologist is the US is $129,108, making it the highest paying job with a psychology degree.

4. Engineering Psychologist 

An Engineering Psychologist, also known as Human Factors Psychologist or Ergonomist, is a professional who applies psychological principles and research methods to design systems, products, and environments that optimize human performance, safety, and well-being. Their primary focus is on creating technology, tools, and interfaces that are user-friendly, efficient, and safe, considering human cognitive, physical, and emotional capabilities and limitations.

Becoming an Engineering Psychologist typically involves a combination of education, training, and practical experience in the field of human factors and human-computer interaction, that said there are general steps to pursue a career as an Engineering Psychologist and they include, obtaining a Bachelor's in Psychology Degree, pursuing a Master's or doctoral degree, gaining practical experience, or specializing in areas like human-computer interaction, product design, aviation, automotive, healthcare, or other relevant fields.

The average annual salary for a Engineering Psychologist in the US is $88,519.

5. Clinical Psychologist 

A clinical psychologist is a licensed mental health professional who specializes in assessing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of psychological and emotional issues. These issues may include mental disorders, behavioral problems, emotional difficulties, and interpersonal challenges. Clinical psychologists provide therapeutic interventions and counseling to help individuals cope with and overcome their psychological issues, improve their mental health, and enhance their overall well-being.

Becoming a clinical psychologist requires several years of education, training, and licensure, but there are general steps to becoming a clinical psychologist and they include, obtaining a Bachelor's in Psychology Degree, earning a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, completing a clinical internship, or obtaining postdoctoral experience.

The average annual salary for a Clinical Psychologist in the US is $120,112, making it another one of the highest-paying jobs with a psychology degree.

6. Forensic Psychologist 

A forensic psychologist is a professional who applies their knowledge of psychology to legal and criminal justice contexts. They conduct assessments, evaluations, and research related to legal issues, criminal behavior, and mental health. They may work as expert witnesses, provide counseling to inmates, conduct risk assessments, and offer insights into the psychological aspects of legal cases. Their duties are conducted in various settings, including courts, correctional facilities, law enforcement agencies, private practices, and academic institutions.

Becoming a forensic psychologist requires a combination of education, training, and licensure, but there are quite a few general steps to become one and they include, obtaining a Bachelor's in Psychology Degree, earning a Master's or Doctoral degree, gaining forensic experience, or pursuing a specialization.

The average annual salary for a Forensic Psychologist in the US is $100,938.

7. Counseling Psychologist 

A counseling psychologist is a mental health professional who specializes in providing counseling and psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. Their primary focus is to help people overcome emotional, social, vocational, and educational challenges and improve their overall mental well-being. They use talk therapy and evidence-based interventions to assist clients in understanding their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors and develop coping strategies to address their difficulties.

Becoming a counseling psychologist involves several years of education, training, and licensure, but there are a number of general steps to becoming one and they include, obtaining a Bachelor's in Psychology Degree, earning a Master's or Doctoral degree, completing a supervised internship, pursuing additional training or certification in specific areas such as couples counseling, or gaining experience and professional development to stay up-to-date with the latest research and therapeutic techniques.

The average annual salary for a Counseling Psychologist in the US is $77,910. 

8. School Psychologist 

A school psychologist, or psychology teacher, is a professional who specializes in applying school psychology principles and practices to educational settings. They work in schools to support students' academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development, and collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create a positive and inclusive learning environment for students.

There are a number of ways to become a school psychologist, but generally you will need to, obtain a Bachelor's in Psychology Degree, earn a Master's or Specialist-level Degree (Ed.S.) or Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), complete practicum and internship, obtain licensure and certification, or consider additional credentials such as the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential, offered by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

The average annual salary for a School Psychologist in the US is $104,861.

9. Health Psychologist 

A health psychologist is a professional who specializes in the study and application of psychology to promote health, prevent illness, and improve the overall well-being of individuals. They examine the psychological factors that influence physical health and how individuals' mental and emotional states can impact their overall health outcomes. Their primary duties are to work with individuals, communities, and healthcare systems to address various health-related issues and promote healthier behaviors and lifestyles.

Becoming a health psychologist involves several steps, including education, training, and licensure, but generally to become would require, obtaining a Bachelor's in Psychology Degree, earning a Master's or Doctoral degree, gaining practical experience in health psychology through internships, specializing in specific areas such as behavioral medicine, pediatric health psychology, or public health, or stay up-to-date with the latest research and advancements to enhance your knowledge and skills.

The average annual salary for a Health Psychologist in the US is $101,874.

10. Sports Psychologist 

A sports psychologist is a professional who specializes in applying psychological principles and techniques to enhance the performance, well-being, and mental resilience of athletes, coaches, and sports teams. They work in the field of sports and exercise to help individuals and teams optimize their mental skills and reach their full potential.

Becoming a sports psychologist involves several steps, including education, training, and practical experience, but generally you will have to, obtain a Bachelor's in Psychology Degree or Graduate Degree in sports psychology, gain practical experience in sports psychology through internships, practicums, or research projects with athletes or sports teams, specialize in specific areas, such as performance enhancement, injury rehabilitation, or team dynamics, or stay updated with the latest research and developments to enhance your knowledge and skills.

The average annual salary for a Sports Psychologist in the US is $99,793.

Conclusion  

Becoming a Psychologist by earning a Psychology Degree can be a highly rewarding and lucrative career move if you have a desire to help others, are looking for diverse career opportunities, or want to be given the opportunity to work in schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, corporate environments, research institutions, and private practices.

If you are looking to enter a degree program that will help lay the foundation to becoming a Psychologist it would he useful to look to internationally recognized universities such as Nexford. Through an online BBA or online MBA program, learners can earn the valuable skills necessary to enter the lucrative psychology industry and land the highest paying jobs.

Keen to know what skills are required to land the highest-paying psychology jobs? If so, make sure that you download our free future skills report. 

FAQs about the highest paying jobs with psychology degree

Is it good to major in psychology? 

Majoring in psychology can be a good choice for many students, depending on their interests, career goals, and personal strengths. Psychology is a diverse and fascinating field that explores human behavior, cognition, emotions, and mental processes. There are many reasons why majoring in psychology can be beneficial, but the major ones include being able to, pursue careers in mental health, counseling, research, human resources, education, marketing, and social services, understanding human behavior, improving your problem solving skills, develop empathy and compassion, contribute positively to society by helping individuals improve their mental health and well-being, laying the foundation for further studies in various fields, such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, neuroscience, social work, law, and education.

What's the best degree to get in psychology? 

The "best" degree in psychology depends on your individual interests, career goals, and personal strengths. Psychology offers various degree options at different levels, each catering to specific career paths and areas of specialization. That said there are some common psychology degrees to be obtained and they include, a Bachelor's Degree in psychology, Master's Degree in psychology, a Doctoral Degree in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), or a specialized degree in specific areas of psychology, such as sports psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, or neuropsychology.

Is a career in psychology worth it? 

Whether a career in psychology is worth it depends on various factors, including your interests, passion for the field, career goals, and personal values. That said there are some points to consider when determining if a career in psychology is worth pursuing and they are, if you have a genuine interest in understanding human behavior, emotions, and mental processes, are in search of diverse career opportunities, want to make a positive impact on individuals, families, and communities, and are not averse to lifelong learning as this is a very dynamic and ever-changing career path.

What field of psychology makes the most money? 

The earning potential in different fields of psychology can vary significantly based on factors such as level of education, specialization, location, and years of experience. Generally, fields of psychology that require more advanced degrees and specialized training tend to offer the highest-paying psychology careers. That said, the top psychology fields known for their potential to offer higher salaries include in no particular order, Clinical Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Neuropsychology, Forensic Psychology, Sports Psychology, and Counseling Psychology. 

What is the highest paying job with a psychology degree?

The highest paying and best psychology jobs you can get with a psychology degree typically requires advanced education and specialized training, and with that under the belt there are quite a few highest paying careers in psychology and they include, a Psychiatrist, Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, Engineering Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice, Forensic Psychologist, or Sports Psychologist.

What is the highest paying entry-level job with a psychology degree?

The highest paying entry-level job with a psychology degree is often considered to be a career in industrial-organizational psychology. This field involves applying psychological principles and research methods to improve workplace productivity and employee satisfaction.

The average salaries for entry-level psychology jobs can vary depending on the specific job title and location. Here are some examples of entry-level psychology jobs and their average salaries (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics):

1. Entry Level Psychologist: In the United States, the average annual pay for an entry-level psychologist is $48,010. 2. Entry Level Clinical Psychologist: The average salary for entry-level clinical psychologists is around $42,760. 3. Career Counselor: The average salary for a career counselor is around $38,280.

It's important to note that these figures are averages and can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and the specific company or organization.

Can you make six figures with psychology degree?

Yes, it is possible to make six figures with a psychology degree, but it typically requires advanced education, specialized training, and experience in certain high-demand fields or roles. The paths that can potentially lead to earning six-figure salaries with a psychology degree are a Psychiatrist, Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, Engineering Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist in private practice, Forensic Psychologist, or Sports Psychologist. 

If you are looking to enter a degree program that will help lay the foundation to becoming a Psychologist it would he useful to look to internationally recognized universities such as Nexford. Through an online BBA or online MBA program, learners can earn the valuable skills necessary to enter the lucrative psychology industry and land the highest paying jobs.

Keen to know what skills are required to land the highest-paying psychology jobs? If so, make sure that you download our free future skills report.