These Are the Highest-Paying Psychology Jobs

Attention psych majors: The highest-paying psychology jobs see you working in a variety of environments, from private office spaces to laboratories to schools to sports complexes and beyond.

According to Monster Salary data, general psychologists earn a median annual salary of $73,534. Though a doctoral degree is usually required for many positions, some jobs are available with a master’s degree. A license to practice psychology is also a prerequisite in many states.

Jobs for psychologists are projected to grow by 8% over the next 10 years, which is as fast as average compared to all other occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But you’ll have a better chance at landing a great job if you have a masters in psychology or a doctorate in a specialty area.

Follow your passion while forging a lucrative career in one of the highest-paying psychology jobs, according to Monster data and data from the BLS and Payscale.

Highest-Paying Psychology Jobs

1. Psychiatrist

What you’d do: Psychiatrists are physicians who diagnose and treat mental disorders. They work with patients to help determine the right medication treatment for them. Some work in private practice, while others work at medical or psychiatric hospitals.
What you’d need: A medical degree in psychiatry and four years of residency training.
What you’d make: The median annual salary for a psychiatrist is $165,865.

Find psychiatrist jobs on Monster.

2. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

What you’d do: Often called I/O psychologists, industrial-organizational psychologists usually work for large companies, where they apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing tactics. Others work as consultants, helping employers organize their work setting to improve worker performance and make smarter hiring decisions.
What you’d need: A master’s degree.
What you’d make: The median annual salary for an industrial-organizational psychologist is $80,254.

Find industrial-organizational psychologist jobs on Monster.

3. Engineering Psychologist

What you’d do: Engineering psychology, a rapidly growing field, is the study of the mind and human behavior, applied to the design and operation of mechanical systems and technology. Engineering psychologists typically work as consultants in the fields of engineering, product design, and software development, helping companies make their products more user-friendly and efficient.
What you’d need: A master’s degree in psychology—however, those with doctoral degrees can fetch significantly higher salaries.
What you’d make: $82,848 per year, according to Payscale

Find engineering psychologist jobs on Monster.

4. Military Psychologist

What you’d do: Of all the highest-paying psychology jobs, military psychologists are the most likely to work for one of the branches of the U.S. military, where they treat active duty personnel or veterans who are having trouble coping with mental issues. They evaluate service members for post-traumatic stress disorder and emotional problems.
What you’d need: Most military psychology jobs require a master’s or medical degree, as well as becoming an active member of the military.
What you’d make: $82,180 per year, according to the BLS

Find military psychologist jobs on Monster.

5. Neuropsychologist

What you’d do: The brain is complex. A neuropsychologist’s job is to demystify its relationships to behavior, cognition, and emotions. Neuropsychologists often perform cognitive tests on patients to diagnose brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson's disease. They typically work in labs, where they perform research, or in clinical settings.
What you’d need: A doctoral degree in psychology, with a specialization in neuropsychology.
What you’d make: $94,130 per year, according to Payscale

Find neuropsychologist jobs on Monster.

6. Psychology Professor

What you’d do: Psychology professors teach college courses on a range of psychology subjects, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and perform academic research; those teaching graduate-level courses may also supervise students' dissertation research.
What you’d need: Although a master’s degree may be sufficient for some psychology teaching jobs, most tenure-track positions at four-year colleges require a doctorate degree. Check out this academic resume sample to learn more.
What you’d make: The median annual salary for a professor is $57,664 per year.

Find psychology professor jobs on Monster.

7. Clinical Psychologist

What you’d do: If you’re picturing a patient lying down on a couch, answering questions about their childhood, you’re picturing them working with a clinical psychologist. Clinical psychologists help patients identify problems—emotional, mental, and behavioral issues—in their lives, and then create treatment plans to help them recover from psychological issues like depression and anxiety.
What you’d need: A doctoral degree, plus a state license to practice clinical psychology. Check out this sample cover letter for a psychologist.
What you’d make: $82,265 per year, according to Payscale

Find clinical psychologist jobs on Monster.

8. Educational Psychologist

What you’d do: Education psychologists provide a range of mental health services to people in the education system including students, teachers, counselors, administrators, and, in some cases, parents of students. They help diagnose learning disabilities, administer psychological assessments, and foster supportive learning environments.
What you’d need: A master’s degree in educational psychology.
What you’d make: $88,164 per year, according to Payscale

Find educational psychologist jobs on Monster.

9. Sports Psychologist

What you’d do: Sports psychologists apply their knowledge of psychology and kinesiology to help professional athletes improve their performance and help sports coaches increase their players’ motivation. Many also help athletes cope with off-field problems and assist them with rehabilitation after an injury.
What you’d need: Most positions require a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical psychology, counseling, or sports psychology.
What you’d make: $72,257 per year, according to Payscale

Find sports psychologist jobs on Monster.

10. Forensic Psychologist

What you’d do: Forensic psychologists play a significant role in helping law enforcement prevent and solve crimes. Often working with detectives, forensic psychologists apply their psychology knowledge to identify what type of person committed a crime. Some also serve in the judicial system as expert witnesses in a courtroom or work at prisons or mental hospitals to help treat criminals with mental illness.
What you’d need: Most jobs in forensic psychology require a master’s degree, with some requiring a doctoral degree. Also, a forensic psychology license is required in many states.
What you’d make: $71,945 per year, according to Payscale

Find forensic psychologist jobs on Monster.

See all psychologist jobs on Monster.

Real Talk

You’re pursuing a psychology career, so allow us to level with you: Job searching can be an emotional roller coaster. But it doesn’t have to be. Make a free profile on Monster. As a member, you can get alerts when any of the highest-paying psychology jobs get added to our system. We can also get you in touch with recruiters hiring for similar positions. Let us help you take the next step in your career.