Psychiatry is the highest-paying psychology-related career, with a mean salary of $269,120, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Among psychology-specific roles, industrial-organizational psychologists top the list at a $109,840 median. Most high earners hold a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or MD) and have completed several years of supervised practice or residency.
Psychology is one of the most popular bachelor’s degrees in the country, and it opens doors to a wider range of careers than most people expect. Some of the highest-paying psychology jobs require a doctorate and years of supervised practice. Others only need a bachelor’s degree paired with the right specialization or industry. Below are 25 career paths connected to psychology, with typical education requirements and current salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Every figure below comes from BLS data for May 2024, with growth projected over the 2024–34 decade, unless a specific career section notes otherwise. A handful of these roles, like neuropsychologist or sports psychologist, aren’t tracked by the BLS as separate occupations. For those, we’ve noted the closest tracked category so the numbers stay honest rather than invented.
| Career | Typical Entry Education | Annual Wage (BLS) | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | Doctoral (MD/DO) | $269,120 (mean) | 6% |
| Private Practice Clinical Therapist | Master’s or Doctoral | $95,830 (median)* | 11% |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | Master’s or Doctoral | $109,840 (median) | 6% |
| Neuropsychologist | Doctoral (PhD/PsyD) | $117,580 (median)* | 4% |
| Clinical Psychologist | Doctoral (PhD/PsyD) | $95,830 (median) | 11% |
| Engineering Psychologist | Master’s or Doctoral | $117,580 (median)* | 4% |
| Correctional Facility Psychologist | Master’s or Doctoral | $95,830 (median)* | 11% |
| Military Psychologist | Doctoral (PhD/PsyD) | $95,830 (median)* | 11% |
| Corporate Manager | Bachelor’s or higher | $102,950 (median) | 4% |
| Administrative Hospital Psychologist | Master’s or Doctoral | $117,960 (median)* | 23% |
| Forensic Psychologist | Doctoral (PhD/PsyD) | $117,580 (median)* | 4% |
| Teaching Psychologist (Postsecondary) | Doctoral (PhD) | $105,210 (mean)† | 7% |
| Genetic Counselor | Master’s | $98,910 (median) | 9% |
| Market Research Analyst | Bachelor’s | $76,950 (median) | 7% |
| Experimental Psychologist | Doctoral (PhD) | $117,580 (median)* | 4% |
| Special Education Teacher | Bachelor’s | $64,270 (median) | -1% |
| School Psychologist | Specialist (EdS) or Doctoral | $86,930 (median) | 1% |
| Social and Community Service Manager | Bachelor’s | $78,240 (median) | 6% |
| Sports Psychologist | Master’s or Doctoral | $117,580 (median)* | 4% |
| Geropsychologist | Doctoral (PhD/PsyD) | $95,830 (median)* | 11% |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | Master’s | $63,780 (median) | 13% |
| Career/Vocational Counselor | Master’s | $65,140 (median) | 4% |
| Recreational Therapist | Bachelor’s | $60,280 (median) | 3% |
| Mental Health Counselor | Master’s | $59,190 (median)** | 17% |
| Substance Abuse Counselor | Bachelor’s or Master’s | $59,190 (median)** | 17% |
*BLS does not track this specialization as a separate occupation. The figure shown reflects the closest tracked category (Clinical and Counseling Psychologists or Psychologists, All Other), not a specialization-specific wage. **Mental health counselors and substance abuse counselors share a single BLS occupation code (Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors), so the same wage figure applies to both. †Postsecondary psychology teacher pay comes from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data for May 2025, the most recent breakout available for this specific subject area; the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook does not publish a subject-specific figure for postsecondary teachers at the May 2024 vintage used elsewhere in this table.
1: Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat mental illness through a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and hospitalization when needed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychiatrists earned a mean annual wage of $269,120 as of May 2024, among the highest of any occupation tracked by the BLS. Becoming one requires a bachelor’s degree, a medical degree (MD or DO), and a psychiatry residency that typically runs three to four years. The BLS projects 6% employment growth for psychiatrists between 2024 and 2034, faster than average, driven by rising demand for psychiatric care and expanded access to mental health services.
2: Private Practice Clinical Therapist
Private practice clinical therapists run their own caseload, often out of an independent office, and set their own hours and fees. Most enter with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related field, and many build a full career on that license (LPC, LMFT, or LCSW) without further schooling. A doctorate becomes relevant mainly for therapists who want licensure specifically as a psychologist, which broadens the scope of practice but isn’t the typical next step for most master’s-level clinicians. One important caveat: the BLS wage survey doesn’t collect data on self-employed workers, so there’s no official government figure for private-practice-only income. The closest tracked benchmark is Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, who earned a median annual wage of $95,830 as of May 2024. Independence cuts both ways here. It gives a therapist control over pricing and schedule, but it also means income depends heavily on caseload and local demand rather than a set salary.
3: Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Industrial-organizational psychologists apply behavioral research to workplace problems like hiring, training, and employee retention. If you’re unfamiliar with the specialty, our FAQ on what industrial-organizational psychologists actually do breaks down the day-to-day work. Most enter the field with a master’s degree, though salaries climb sharply with a doctorate. According to the BLS, I-O psychologists earned a median annual wage of $109,840 as of May 2024, the highest of any psychology-specific occupation the BLS tracks separately. The BLS projects 6% employment growth between 2024 and 2034. Demand keeps climbing as more companies invest in workplace efficiency, employee wellbeing, and data-driven HR decisions.
4: Neuropsychologist
Neuropsychologists study how brain function relates to behavior. They administer cognitive testing, interpret brain imaging, and consult on patients recovering from stroke, brain injury, or neurodegenerative disease. This role typically requires a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) plus a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology, four or more years beyond a bachelor’s degree. Our guide on how to become a clinical neuropsychologist walks through that path in more detail. The BLS doesn’t break out neuropsychology as its own occupation. Its own materials group neuropsychologists under Psychologists, All Other, which reported a median annual wage of $117,580 as of May 2024. In practice, the added subspecialty training tends to push earnings above that baseline in hospital and rehabilitation settings, though the BLS doesn’t publish a figure specific to the specialty.
5: Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychology is the largest employment segment within psychology, covering assessment, diagnosis, and therapy for a wide range of mental health conditions. It’s a doctoral-level role: a PhD or PsyD, plus a supervised internship year that most accredited programs require before graduation. According to the BLS, clinical and counseling psychologists earned a median annual wage of $95,830 as of May 2024, with employment projected to grow 11% between 2024 and 2034. Because the field is so large, it also offers more entry points and settings, from hospitals to schools to private practice, than most other doctoral-level psychology careers.
6: Engineering Psychologist
Engineering psychologists study how people interact with tools, technology, and systems, then apply that research to product design and workplace safety. A master’s degree is the typical entry point, with a doctorate opening up higher-paying research and consulting roles. The BLS classifies this specialty under Psychologists, All Other, rather than tracking it separately. That category reported a median annual wage of $117,580 as of May 2024, with 4% employment growth projected between 2024 and 2034. As more industries build human-factors research into product design, demand for this niche continues to grow alongside the broader tech and manufacturing sectors.
7: Correctional Facility Psychologist
Correctional facility psychologists conduct risk assessments and provide therapy inside jails and prisons, often for clients who wouldn’t otherwise access mental health care. A master’s degree in clinical psychology or counseling is the common entry point, though a doctorate increases both scope of practice and pay. The BLS doesn’t track this setting separately. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, the closest tracked category, reported a median annual wage of $95,830 as of May 2024. Government and correctional settings can pay a premium for psychologists willing to work in a higher-stress environment, though pay varies widely by state and facility.
8: Military Psychologist
Military psychologists work with service members and veterans, often specializing in trauma, PTSD, and reintegration after deployment. Most positions require a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) and licensure, whether the psychologist is a uniformed officer or a civilian employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. The BLS doesn’t publish a separate wage figure for this setting. The closest tracked category, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, reported a median annual wage of $95,830 as of May 2024. As awareness of military-related PTSD and reintegration challenges grows, so does demand for psychologists trained to work with this population.
9: Corporate Manager
A psychology degree isn’t a typical path into management, but the skills transfer well. Understanding motivation, group dynamics, and communication helps psychology graduates lead teams effectively. The BLS tracks this role as General and Operations Managers, reporting a median annual wage of $102,950 as of May 2024. Overall employment of top executives, the broader category that includes this role, is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034. For psychology majors who want to apply their degree outside clinical settings, business management is one of the more accessible six-figure paths.
10: Administrative Hospital Psychologist
As integrated care models bring more psychologists into hospitals and primary care settings, some move from direct clinical work into overseeing behavioral health departments. This role blends a clinical or counseling background with healthcare administration. The closest BLS-tracked occupation is Medical and Health Services Managers, which reported a median annual wage of $117,960 as of May 2024, with employment projected to grow 23% between 2024 and 2034, much faster than average. That growth reflects both an aging population and the ongoing shift toward integrated behavioral health care.
11: Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychologists apply clinical training to the legal system, working on cases like child custody disputes, competency evaluations, and criminal risk assessments. The role typically requires a doctorate in clinical or forensic psychology, and some forensic psychologists pursue additional legal training. The BLS explicitly groups forensic psychologists under Psychologists, All Other, rather than tracking the specialty on its own. That category reported a median annual wage of $117,580 as of May 2024. Because much of the work involves expert testimony and detailed case review, experienced forensic psychologists who build a specialized practice can earn well above that baseline.
12: Teaching Psychologist
Psychology faculty at the university level typically need a PhD, plus a track record of published research for tenure-track positions. According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, psychology teachers at the postsecondary level earned a mean annual wage of $105,210 as of May 2025, the most recent breakout the BLS publishes for this specific subject area (most other figures in this article use May 2024 data, the vintage published in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook). Pay tends to be highest at research universities and lowest at community colleges. The BLS projects 7% growth for postsecondary teachers overall between 2024 and 2034, though it doesn’t publish a growth figure specific to psychology faculty.
13: Genetic Counselor
Genetic counselors assess a client’s or family’s risk for inherited conditions and help them interpret genetic test results. The role blends genetics coursework with counseling training, and most programs require a master’s degree accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling. According to the BLS, genetic counselors earned a median annual wage of $98,910 as of May 2024, with employment projected to grow 9% between 2024 and 2034, much faster than average. It’s a small field, with only about 300 openings projected per year nationally, so competition for positions can be steep even as demand grows.
14: Market Research Analyst
Psychology training in human behavior and cognition translates directly into market research, where analysts study what drives consumer decisions. A bachelor’s degree is typically enough to enter the field, though a master’s can open doors to more senior analyst roles. According to the BLS, market research analysts earned a median annual wage of $76,950 as of May 2024, with 7% employment growth projected between 2024 and 2034. For psychology majors who don’t want a clinical career, this is one of the more direct paths from degree to job title.
15: Experimental Psychologist
Experimental psychologists design and run studies on cognition, emotion, and behavior, usually in academic or research institution settings. A PhD is standard for independent research roles. The BLS groups this specialty under Psychologists, All Other, which reported a median annual wage of $117,580 as of May 2024, with 4% employment growth projected between 2024 and 2034. Research funding and institutional budgets play a bigger role in this field’s job market than in most clinical psychology careers, since most positions sit inside universities, government agencies, or research labs rather than private practice.
16: Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers work with students who have learning disabilities or other exceptional needs, often in small-group or one-on-one settings. A bachelor’s degree and state teaching certification are the standard entry requirements. According to the BLS, special education teachers earned a median annual wage of $64,270 as of May 2024. Overall employment is projected to decline 1% between 2024 and 2034, but the BLS still projects about 37,800 openings per year nationally, almost entirely from the need to replace teachers who leave the field or retire.
17: School Psychologist
School psychologists assess and support students dealing with learning difficulties, behavioral challenges, and mental health needs in K-12 schools. Most states require at least a specialist-level degree (EdS), and some school psychologists hold a doctorate. According to the BLS, school psychologists earned a median annual wage of $86,930 as of May 2024, with 1% employment growth projected between 2024 and 2034, slower than most other roles on this list. Pay tends to track the resources of the district a psychologist works in, with wealthier districts generally offering higher salaries and smaller caseloads.
18: Social and Community Service Manager
Social and community service managers oversee programs that address needs like housing, food security, and mental health access within a community. A bachelor’s degree, often in social work or psychology, is the typical entry point, though management roles increasingly favor candidates with a master’s. According to the BLS, social and community service managers earned a median annual wage of $78,240 as of May 2024, with 6% employment growth projected between 2024 and 2034.
19: Sports Psychologist
Sports psychologists work with athletes on motivation, performance anxiety, and recovery from injury, in settings ranging from schools to professional teams. A master’s degree is common, with a doctorate needed for clinical work or independent practice. The BLS doesn’t track this specialty on its own. Psychologists, All Other, the closest tracked category, reported a median annual wage of $117,580 as of May 2024. Because so much of this work is contract-based or tied to specific teams and programs, earnings vary more than in most other psychology specialties.
20: Geropsychologist
Geropsychologists specialize in the mental health needs of older adults, a population that’s projected to keep growing as a share of the U.S. total. A doctorate in clinical psychology with a gerontology focus is the standard path. The BLS doesn’t publish a separate figure for this specialty. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, the closest tracked category, reported a median annual wage of $95,830 as of May 2024. As the population continues to age, demand for psychologists trained specifically in geriatric care is likely to keep expanding across hospital, long-term care, and outpatient settings.
21: Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists work with couples and families to address relationship conflict, communication issues, and related mental health concerns. If this specialty interests you, we cover more reasons to become a marriage and family therapist in a dedicated guide. A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or counseling is the standard entry requirement, along with state licensure. According to the BLS, marriage and family therapists earned a median annual wage of $63,780 as of May 2024, with 13% employment growth projected between 2024 and 2034, much faster than average, as demand for family-centered treatment continues to rise.
22: Career/Vocational Counselor
Career and vocational counselors use assessments and one-on-one guidance to help clients identify career paths that match their strengths and interests. Most positions require a master’s degree in counseling. According to the BLS, school and career counselors and advisors earned a median annual wage of $65,140 as of May 2024, with 4% employment growth projected between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
23: Recreational Therapist
Recreational therapists design and lead activity-based treatment, using things like swimming, art, or games to help patients recover physical, cognitive, or social function. A bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation is the typical entry point, along with CTRS certification that most employers prefer or require. According to the BLS, recreational therapists earned a median annual wage of $60,280 as of May 2024, with 3% employment growth projected between 2024 and 2034.
24: Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors help clients work through issues like anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, and life transitions. Most states require a master’s degree in counseling plus a supervised internship before licensure. The BLS groups mental health counselors together with substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors under a single occupation code. That combined group earned a median annual wage of $59,190 as of May 2024, with 17% employment growth projected between 2024 and 2034, much faster than average.
25: Substance Abuse Counselor
Substance abuse counselors work with clients on addiction recovery, from initial treatment planning through long-term relapse prevention. Entry requirements vary significantly by state: some states allow a bachelor’s degree for supervised or associate-level roles, but many now require a master’s degree for independent licensure, similar to mental health counselors. Because this occupation shares a BLS code with mental health counselors, the same median annual wage applies: $59,190 as of May 2024, with 17% employment growth projected between 2024 and 2034. As insurance coverage for addiction treatment expands, demand for counselors in this specialty keeps climbing alongside it.
What Drives High Salaries in Psychology
A few patterns show up across almost every career on this list, whether the field is clinical, academic, or business-focused.
Key Takeaways
- Education is the biggest single lever — a master’s or doctoral degree opens doors and specializations that a bachelor’s alone can’t, and often makes up for a shorter work history.
- Experience compensates for less schooling — a strong track record in a specific setting can offset a lower degree level, especially in fields like counseling and management.
- Growing fields pay better over time — mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, and medical and health services management are all projected to grow faster than average, which tends to support stronger long-term earnings.
- Specialization narrows the competition — niches like neuropsychology, forensic psychology, and genetic counseling have fewer practitioners, which can mean less competition for the roles that do exist.
- Licensing requirements vary by state — scope of practice, supervised-hour requirements, and exam rules differ across states, so check your state’s psychology licensing board before choosing a specialty.
Explore accredited psychology degree programs at every level, from bachelor’s to doctoral, to find the path that matches the career and salary you’re aiming for.
Salary and job growth figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Psychologists and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Occupational Outlook Handbook profiles (May 2024 wage data, 2024–34 job growth projections), and from individual BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profiles linked in each career section above, including Physicians and Surgeons, Genetic Counselors, Market Research Analysts, Special Education Teachers, Marriage and Family Therapists, School and Career Counselors and Advisors, Recreational Therapists, Top Executives, Medical and Health Services Managers, and Social and Community Service Managers. The one exception is postsecondary psychology teacher pay, sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data for May 2025, the most recent breakout published for that specific subject area. Reflects state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.