Psychologists

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The psychologist's experience and reputation also affect wages.

Salaried psychologists who work full time usually receive benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Self-employed psychologists must provide their own insurance.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists
• Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Employment

In Minnesota, about 3,401 psychologists work in this medium-sized occupation.

About 34 percent of psychologists are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Schools, colleges, and universities
• Counseling centers
• Social service agencies
• Outpatient mental health centers

Outlook

School psychologists may experience the most growth in the next decade. This is because schools are trying to handle students' mental health and behavioral problems. If these problems are not dealt with, students may have a harder time learning.

Clinical and counseling psychologists will help people deal with family and job stress as well as mental disorders. More employers are paying for their employees to get counseling, so this will increase the demand for psychologists.

Business will hire industrial-organizational psychologists to deal with issues such as workplace diversity. Companies also will use psychologists to develop tools for evaluating marketing.

Opportunities should be best for psychologists with a doctorate (Ph.D.). Those with an applied emphasis, such as clinical or educational, should have very good prospects. Those who have a master's degree in school or industrial-organizational psychology should also have many job prospects. Those who have only a bachelor's degree will find it difficult to find a job directly related to psychology. Some may assist with research or patient rehabilitation.