Clinical psychologist jobs

The field of psychology encompasses a wide range of occupations, each of which offers a unique combination of responsibilities and potential earnings. As a result of the state of the economy, a growing number of students are focusing their attention on occupations in the field of psychology that provide some of the highest salaries. The top paid careers in psychology may provide incomes of up to $167 000 on average.

Although there are a number of professions that offer annual salaries that are significantly higher than the national average, it is essential to keep in mind that actual income is contingent on a wide range of factors, including geographic location, industry of employment, educational background, and amount of years of experience in the field.

Find out more information about some of the occupations in psychology that pay the most, including the average earnings for these types of jobs and the educational qualifications that are needed to join these sectors.

1. Psychotherapist or psychiatrist

The average annual salary comes in at $216,090.

Educational Prerequisites Despite being categorized as a field within the medical profession, psychiatry is inextricably linked to the study and practice of psychology. Approximately eight years of further education beyond the undergraduate level. Prospective psychiatrists are required to get a bachelor's degree, then graduate from medical school, and then finish a residency program that lasts for four years. 1

One of the best paid specializations in the area of psychology is psychiatry. However, pay in this industry might vary quite a bit depending on the area of specialization in which you work, the location of your place of employment, and the nature of the job that you do.

2. Psychologist who specializes in organizational and workplace issues

The Typical Annual Wage is $102,530

Educational Requirements The majority of the time, a master's degree in psychology is the very minimum level of education that is required,2 however having a doctoral degree could provide you an edge in some situations. Even though there are options open to those with a master's degree, acquiring a doctorate in industrial-organizational psychology gives not just more opportunities but also better compensation.

Industrial-organizational psychologists use their expertise in psychology to the treatment of problems that arise in the workplace.

An industrial-organizational psychologist may be responsible for a variety of tasks, including the development of questionnaires for market research, the enhancement of staff productivity, and the selection of the most qualified workers for certain positions.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' findings, industrial and organizational psychologists who worked in the field of scientific research and development made an annual mean income of $149,780 on average. The average salary for those working in educational institutions such as colleges, universities, and professional schools is $70,360.

Around $40,000 is the beginning wage that may be expected for a graduate with a master's degree. On the other hand, a graduate of a PhD program may expect a beginning income of around $55,000. 4

The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology reports that the highest-earning 5 percent of its members bring in annual salaries of more than $250,000 on average.

3. Neuropsychologist

Annual Wages Averaging $90,460 on Average

Educational Prerequisites: In order to be successful in this discipline, you will need to get a doctoral degree in either neuropsychology or clinical neuropsychology.

Neuropsychologists are experts in the fields of both cognitive science and the study of the human brain.

Cognitive evaluations, brain scans, assessments of patients with brain injuries, and research into the effects of various medications on the neurological system are common tasks performed by those employed in this profession. They might work at educational institutions including colleges and universities, medical facilities, research institutes, mental health clinics, or pharmaceutical laboratories.

4. a specialist in clinical psychology

Annual Wage Amounting to an Average of $81,330

Educational Requirements: Clinical psychologists are required to have a doctoral degree in the field of psychology in the majority of states. In addition to this schooling, in order to work as a certified clinical psychologist, one must also pass state licensure tests and undergo a residency program that lasts anywhere from one to two years and is monitored.

Psychologists who specialize in clinical work get education and training in the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disease. This is also the most common kind of job found within the field of psychology. Clinical psychologists are employed in a wide range of contexts, including private practice, hospitals, and clinics that provide mental health services. 6

The amount of money one makes depends heavily on their level of experience. For instance, in 2009, doctors with five years of experience earned an average of $54,000 per year, whereas those with ten to fourteen years of expertise earned an average of over $100,000 per year

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, persons who worked in the field of individual and family services earned an average of $81,160 per year as of May 2017. The annual salary for those working in the clinics and hospitals of various different types of medical professionals was an average of $92,130.

5. Engineer who specializes in psychology

The Typical Annual Wage is 79 818 Dollars.

Educational Requirements: A master's degree is required for entry-level occupations, however individuals with a PhD will have larger career prospects and higher wages than those with a master's degree.

Engineering psychologists strive to enhance the design of systems, processes, and equipment in order to increase efficiency, improve productivity, and limit harm. This work is done with the goal of improving efficiency, improving productivity, and minimizing injury. The field of employment has a significant impact in determining compensation, just as it does for psychologists working in other subfields of psychology. The salaries of engineering psychologists working in the commercial sector are much higher than those of their academically-affiliated counterparts.

6. Psychologist who specializes in counseling

Annual Wage Amounting to $72,540 on Average

Educational Prerequisites: In order to pursue a career as a counseling psychologist, one must get a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.)

Counseling psychologists are responsible for many of the same duties as clinical psychologists, such as providing psychotherapy and treatment for mental health conditions. However, counseling psychologists often work with clients who are dealing with less severe manifestations of mental disease.

Even though mental health is one of the most important focuses of counseling psychology, there are professionals in this area who choose to focus on research instead. In addition to that, they instruct students at the university level or provide career guidance.

The Variability of Educational Prerequisites

7. A forensic psychologist or psychiatrist

The Typical Annual Wage is $59,440

Educational Requirements: Although there are certain professions that may be obtained with a master's degree, in most cases, a doctoral degree in clinical, counseling, or forensic psychology is required. There are several exceptions to this rule.

Psychologists who specialize in forensic work focus on the application of psychological principles to legal problems. A professional in this field might be responsible for a variety of tasks, including the creation of psychological profiles of criminals, the resolution of issues pertaining to child custody, the conduct of investigations into allegations of child abuse, the provision of expert testimony, the preparation of witnesses for testimony in court, and the provision of training to law enforcement. 

8. A Psychologist Working in Schools

The Typical Annual Wage is $58,360

Educational Prerequisites The majority of states call for the successful completion of a school psychology specialist program that is either 60 credits long or leads to a master's or an EdS degree. About one-third of those who work in schools as psychologists have doctoral degrees (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.).

School psychologists are professionals who, within the context of the educational system, assess students to identify and treat behavioral and academic issues.

In order to assist children in overcoming social, emotional, behavioral, and intellectual challenges, they often work in conjunction with other professionals, such as teachers and physicians, as well as with the children's parents.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, which is issued by the United States Department of Labor, projects that employment opportunities in this sector will increase by nearly 11 percent over the course of the next decade.

9. a specialist in sports psychology

An annual salary of $55,000 is considered to be the norm.

Educational Prerequisites: A master's or doctoral degree in sports psychology or a field closely linked to it, such as clinical or counseling psychology, is often required for employment. Psychologists that specialize in sports are often interested in the mental aspects of competitive sports and athletics. 9

Motivating athletes and improving their performance are two themes that are often discussed by experts in this profession. They put their expertise of psychology to use by assisting athletes in improving their performance or assisting individuals in recovering from sports-related ailments.

Although the average salary range for sports psychologists is between $45,000 and $80,000 per year, individuals who deal with professional athletes can earn incomes that are well into the six figures.