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You have put in years of schooling, tackled countless exams, poured all that hard work, and finally earned a PhD in psychology. Now what?

If you're confused about what to do after obtaining your PhD and have no idea where to begin, you have come to the right place. This blog will provide you with various career paths, such as clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and educational consulting, along with salary insights and key responsibilities. By exploring these opportunities, you'll better understand how your PhD can shape your professional journey and make a meaningful difference in psychology.

22 Jobs You Can Get With a PhD in Psychology

Here are 22 fulfilling careers you might consider if you have a PhD in psychology:

Clinical psychologist

A clinical psychologist assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental health disorders while using therapeutic approaches to help clients manage problems like depression, anxiety, and trauma. 

Average annual salary:

Industrial and organizational psychologist

Industrial and organizational psychologists (I/O) improve workplace culture and productivity through training programs, personnel assessments, and positive organizational dynamics. The popularity of remote work is making virtual communication and remote productivity techniques more crucial.
Average annual salary:

Forensic psychologist

Forensic psychologists use their expertise in the legal system to assist law enforcement with criminal profiling, evaluate the mental health of defendants, provide expert testimony, and assist with criminal investigations. Their research is crucial to understanding the psychological aspects of criminal behavior and ensuring fair legal repercussions. 

Average annual salary:  

Experimental psychologist

Experimental psychologists investigate human behavior by performing experiments to examine actions and cognitive processes using scientific research methodologies. Experimental psychology is especially crucial in the advancement of technology and human-computer interaction. Experimental psychology is applied to improve digital product usability, teach AI, and improve user experience. Typical research areas for experimental psychology include:

• Memory;
• Perception;
• Learning;
• Decision-making;
• Sensation and attention;
• Behavioral neuroscience.

Average annual salary:

Sport psychologist

Sport psychologists help players overcome psychological barriers related to competitive sports, enhance their performance, and fortify their mental toughness. They use techniques like goal-setting, visualization, and stress management to help athletes perform at their peak, overcome challenges, and maintain their mental health. 

Average annual salary: 

Educational psychologist

Educational psychology aims to improve learning outcomes by understanding the psychological elements that influence students' educational experiences. They collaborate with educators, families, and educational institutions to pinpoint learning obstacles, provide original solutions, and promote efficient teaching methods that cater to a range of student requirements. 

The key responsibilities of educational psychologists are:

• Assessing learning disabilities and cognitive abilities;
• Collaborating with teachers on strategies for diverse learners;
• Providing student counseling and support;
• Researching educational practices and learning processes;

Average annual salary:  

Market researcher

Market researchers focus on understanding consumer preferences, motivations, and decision-making. By applying their knowledge of human behavior to gain insights into these factors, psychologists can easily excel in the market research field. They become invaluable to firms by helping them customize marketing strategies, products, and services to better align with customer needs and develop targeted marketing tactics that boost engagement and brand loyalty. 

Common tasks for market research psychologists include:

• Designing and administering surveys;
• Analyzing consumer data and behavioral patterns;
• Conducting focus groups and interviews;
• Advising on product development and marketing strategies.

Average annual salary:

School psychologist

School psychologists are crucial to children's mental, social, and academic success. They provide counseling, address learning challenges, administer exams, and implement interventions to help children thrive. They also help instructors implement effective classroom management strategies. 

Average annual salary:  

Health psychologist

Health psychologists specialize in understanding how mental and emotional problems impact physical health. They assist patients in developing coping strategies, managing stress, and making better lifestyle decisions — all of which can significantly enhance outcomes, especially for those with chronic illnesses.

By addressing psychological aspects of health, they help patients better manage conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and chronic pain. 

Average annual salary:  

Mental health counselor

Mental health counselors provide psychological and emotional assistance to individuals coping with conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma. They use a range of therapeutic techniques to assist clients in managing stress, creating coping strategies, and improving their overall mental health. 

In order to improve access to and support for mental health, mental health counselors — who work in settings including clinics, private practices, and community organizations — are crucial.  

Average annual salary:

Rehabilitation psychologist

Rehabilitation psychologists specialize in helping individuals recover from injuries or disabilities, with a focus on providing emotional and psychological support during the healing process. They assist clients in developing coping strategies, enhancing their quality of life, and achieving their personal recovery goals. 

Common tasks for rehabilitation psychologists include:

• Conducting psychological assessments to evaluate patients' needs;
• Developing individualized treatment plans;
• Delivering counseling and support to clients and their families;
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, including physicians and occupational therapists;
• Educating clients about coping strategies and adaptive skills.

 Average annual salary:  

Human resources (HR)

Psychologists contribute significantly to human resources (HR) by enhancing hiring practices, boosting employee satisfaction, and fortifying corporate culture. Their expertise is becoming increasingly important for fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces and creating equitable and supportive work environments.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Designing and implementing employee assessments;
• Conducting training sessions on diversity and inclusion;
• Analyzing employee satisfaction and engagement data;
• Resolving workplace conflicts and facilitating communication;
• Advising management on employee relations best practices.

Average annual salary:  

Psychology professor

Psychology professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses, conduct research in a range of psychology-related subjects, and mentor students' academic and professional development. They develop course curricula, assess student performance, and often publish their findings in academic journals.

Average annual salary:  

Applied behavior analyst

In clinical and educational contexts, applied behavior analysts (ABAs) help individuals with behavioral issues by using behavior modification techniques. In order to promote constructive transformation and enhance social and cognitive capacities, they assess behaviors and employ specific intervention techniques.

Common interventions:

• Positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors;
• Customized behavior modification plans;
• Skills training for social and daily living skills;
• Training for parents and caregivers in behavior management.

Average annual salary:

Coach

Psychologists are essential to the coaching industry because they help clients reach their goals, whether they are performance, executive, or life coaching. They help people become more self-aware, overcome challenges, and cultivate their creative abilities. Mental toughness, judgment, and overall well-being can all be greatly enhanced with coaching. 

Average annual salary:  

Education consultant

As education consultants, psychologists assist schools in improving student outcomes, instructional strategies, and curriculum. They use their knowledge to evaluate teaching methods and put evidence-based tactics into practice, resulting in productive learning settings. Typical consulting tasks include:

• Developing tailored curricula;
• Providing teacher training and professional development;
• Conducting student assessments;
• Advising on educational policy and best practices.

Average annual salary:

Social worker

In social work, psychologists help individuals and communities deal with social issues by applying their understanding of human behavior and mental health. They collaborate with social workers to develop programs that enhance mental health and provide therapeutic support for problems such as mental illness, trauma, and substance abuse. 

Average annual salary:

Family therapist

Family therapy mostly relies on psychologists to help families resolve disputes and strengthen their bonds. They help family members communicate better, understand each other better, and solve problems together. Managing many personalities and dynamics is one of the unique obstacles in family therapy, necessitating the use of certain techniques for productive dialogue. 

Average annual salary: 

Consultant

Psychologists can also work in many different industries as consultants, offering informed advice on human behavior and corporate culture. Their contribution to helping companies overcome prejudices and create inclusive cultures in areas like diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) is more important. As the importance of workplace well-being increases, so does the need for psychological advice. 

Common consulting services include:

• Leadership training and development;
• Conflict resolution strategies;
• Organizational assessments;
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives;
• Employee engagement surveys.

Average annual salary:  

Neuropsychologist

Neuropsychologists study the connection between the brain and behavior, specifically how neurological disorders impact emotional and cognitive health. Functional MRIs and PET scans, two recent developments in brain imaging technology, have enhanced diagnosis and treatment results. Common tasks for neuropsychologists include:

• Conducting cognitive assessments;
• Interpreting neuroimaging results;
• Developing personalized treatment plans;
• Providing counseling and support.

Average annual salary: 

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists help patients manage and resolve mental health issues by using a range of therapeutic techniques. They use technology, including teletherapy, to treat conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma to increase access and treatment flexibility. 

Types of therapy that may be used in therapy sessions are:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT);
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT);
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR);
• Psychodynamic therapy;
• Humanistic therapy;
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

Average annual salary:

Clinical researcher

Psychologists with doctorates significantly advance the field of psychology by conducting clinical research that advances our understanding of behavior, mental health, and therapeutic modalities. 

The main steps in conducting clinical research include:

1. Formulating a hypothesis based on existing literature;
2. Designing the study and selecting methodologies;
3. Obtaining ethical approval;
4. Recruiting participants and securing informed consent;
5. Collecting data through surveys and assessments;
6. Analyzing data using statistical techniques;
7. Interpreting results and drawing conclusions;
8. Disseminating findings through publications and presentations.

 Average annual salary:  

Choosing Your Path

Job satisfaction depends on choosing a career path that complements your long-term objectives, passions, and skills. Find internships to obtain practical experience, contact industry experts to learn about other career opportunities, and do informational interviews with professionals in your chosen fields to explore your options. Work-life balance is also essential because some jobs may need more time and emotional investment than others. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining a PhD in psychology provides access to a variety of job opportunities, including research, consulting, and clinical practice. Every path presents different chances to have a significant influence in different circumstances. Whether by thinking about a PhD program or looking for more resources, keep investigating these options in order to have a better understanding of possible career paths in psychology.

Unlock your potential in the field of psychology by pursuing a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree in Counseling Psychology at Our Lady of the Lake University - discover more about our program today!

FAQ

Is a PhD in psychology useful?

Yes, a PhD in psychology is highly useful as it opens up diverse career opportunities in research, clinical practice, and academia, allowing individuals to make significant contributions to mental health and behavioral science.

What is the highest paying job with a PhD in psychology?

The highest-paying job for those with a PhD in psychology is typically a neuropsychologist or a clinical psychologist, with salaries often exceeding $100,000, depending on experience and location.