Psychology Careers: Top 5 Choices

12 March 2010, 1:30 pm

Why do we react differently to some situations than to others or act in certain ways to certain people?

The study of human behavior leads us to understanding the reasons for our actions, thoughts and feelings. If you truly like people like and are interested in helping them overcome their suffering then perhaps a career in psychology is right for you.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a faster than average growth for careers in psychology in the coming decade. Psychology Careers are available in many areas of specialization. Knowing which fields are in most demand and pay the highest salaries will help make your decision about a career choice much easier.

Here are 5 of the top choices for psychologist jobs:

1.) Educational Psychologist

Educational psychologists study the psychology of educators and the social psychology of schools in order to help create a more effective and efficient educational system. They achieve this through studying and assessing educational curriculum, technologies, and classroom management among other areas of interest.

Average Annual Salary: $68,000 – $84,000

2.) Sports Psychologist

In today’s sports world the psychological aspects of sports and athletics is very important. As a sports psychologist you will be helping athletes achieve better performance by maintaining a balanced mental state. Jobs in this field can be found in many settings including professional sports teams, universities, Olympic training, research centers, hospitals and even athletic centers.

Annual Average Salary: $40,000 – $75,000 per year

3.) Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychologist are mostly employed in hospitals, private practice and mental health
clinics. They deal with people who are suffering from psychological disorders and help
diagnose and treat these individuals. Phd’s are a must in this field.

Average Annual Salary: $63,000

4.) Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychology professionals assess and evaluate clients on behalf of lawyers, social service agencies and judges. In order to compile a complete psychological history of the client the forensic psychologist must interview family members, friends and other therapists. Once established a forensic psychologist can become an expert witness in courtroom cases

Average Annual Salary: $59,000

5.) Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

This field of psychology focuses on increasing worker productivity by modifying workplace behavior. Industrial-organizational psychologists also help in the hiring process by trying to select workers best-suited for the job.

Average Annual Salary: $86,000

A career in psychology will almost always require a post graduate degree, and there are a variety of graduate level psychology programs offered by most colleges throughout the US. Not only must you pick the right school for desired career goal, but you must find sources of money to help fund your college education. An excellent place to start is with the
FREE 2010 Education Guide.