12 Jobs for Psychology Majors

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People who study psychology are trained to analyze and predict people’s mental behavior, so they can help them overcome the challenges they’re facing at home, in school, and in personal and professional relationships. A psychology degree prepares people to work a broad range of jobs, including counseling, teaching, social work and more.

Here is a list of 12 possible jobs for psychology majors:

Most Common Jobs For Psychology Majors

1. Counselor

Counselors share many responsibilities with psychologists, as they are both responsible with helping people overcome mental ailments. However, counselors typically are asked to provide more general therapy, while psychologists usually help people with more specific, intense mental illnesses. Counselors work in hospitals, schools, correctional facilities, and retirement homes, among others. Rules vary from state to state, but generally, a license and master’s degree are required to start practicing.  

Median annual wage: $46,740

Common entry-level degree: Master’s degree & license

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 0%

2. Social Worker

Similar to counselors, social workers are responsible for helping people who may have mental disorders work through their ailments. But social workers may be less likely to offer immediate help or crisis management. Instead, they may point people in the direction to gain the help and support they need. Social workers work at hospitals, schools, military bases, prisons and more. All social workers are required to be licensed, and most of the time, a master’s degree in social work is also needed to earn a job.

Median annual wage: $47,980

Common entry-level degree: Master’s degree & license

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 0%

3. Elementary/Middle School Teacher

After earning a bachelor’s degree, those who aspire to teach in elementary or middle schools have to complete an internship in a school classroom, pass the state-required test for teachers and receive a teaching certificate/license. 

If you are dead set on being a teacher, the best advice would be to major in education. But if you’re still uncertain about what you want to do, a psychology major could ultimately help you land a teaching job.

Median annual wage: $57,350

Common entry-level degree: Bachelor’s degree & teaching certificate

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 0%

Specialized, Unique Jobs for Psychology Majors

4. Psychologist

Psychologists are masters of the human mind. They help individual people overcome deep mental ailments and disorders through, primarily, conversation. Before one can become a practicing psychologist, one must complete a doctorate degree and earn a license. Some states require a supervised psychology internship, which could last a couple of years.

Median annual wage: $97,740

Common entry-level degree: Doctorate degree & license

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 0%

5. School Counselor

School counselors can have a wide range of requirements, depending on the school. But generally, they help students overcome personal and emotional problems, help students set and achieve academic and personal goals, and sometimes even help students with the college application process. Like most jobs on this page, school counselors must earn a master’s degree and a state license.

Median annual wage: $55,410

Common entry-level degree: Master’s degree & license

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 0%

6. Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are certified doctors with the ability to prescribe patients medicine for their mental health problems, addictions, mood disorders and more. To become a psychiatrist, you have to earn a medical degree and complete a residency before you can apply for a state license. Typically those who aspire to become psychiatrists earn their bachelor’s degrees in psychology or a field associated with pre-med, including biology, neuroscience, physics and more.

Median annual wage: N/A

Common entry-level degree: Medical degree & license

Likelihood that robots will take your job: N/A

Non-Traditional Jobs for Psychology Majors

7. Human Resources

Human resources (HR) positions are very common in a wide range of industries. Essentially, they are responsible for all employee relations. HR personnel typically are the people who do the hiring, firing and mitigating within a company. Good HR employees are impartial, empathetic and not afraid of confrontation. Because psychology majors are trained to analyze people’s mental behavior, they often make good candidates for HR jobs.

Median annual wage: $60,570

Common entry-level degree: Bachelor’s degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 31%

8. College Professor

Communication, patience, organization and enthusiasm are some of the most important characteristics of a good college professor. To earn a job teaching at the post-secondary level, a master’s degree (and sometimes a doctorate degree) is required. In addition to teaching, some college professors also are assigned to conduct research and write scholarly articles.

Median annual wage: $64,480

Common entry-level degree: Master’s degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 3%

9. Education Administrator

Education administrators generally work in educational environments, but not as teachers. Broadly, they are the people in charge of overseeing administrative tasks within a school. They could be principals, but job titles may vary. You don’t need a specific bachelor’s degree to become an education administrator, but those who study psychology develop critical thinking and empathy skills that translate well to the job.

Aspiring education administrators must go on to earn their teaching license, work for a few years as a teacher, complete a master’s degree in education administration and, typically, pass a state test to receive a administrator’s license.

Median annual wage: $88,890

Common entry-level degree: Master’s degree & administrator’s license

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 0%

Other Potential Jobs for Psychology Majors

10. Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance abuse counselors help those who are struggling with drugs or alcohol overcome their addictions. They could work with individuals or full groups. Similar to other counseling jobs on this list, a license and a master’s degree in counseling are often required to earn a job as a substance abuse counselor.

Median annual wage: $43,300

Common entry-level degree: Master’s degree & administrator’s license

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 3%

11. Lawyer

Presumably due to their interest in analyzing the human mind, some psychology majors go on to be lawyers. But, to do so, completing a bachelor’s degree program is just the first step. If you want to become a lawyer, you will also have to pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), apply to law school, earn a Juris Doctor degree and pass the Bar examination — all before you can begin to practice law. Generally, it takes 3 years to graduate from law school, so the entire process takes 7-8 years.

Median annual wage: $119,250

Common entry-level degree: Juris Doctor degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 4%

12. Sales Representative

Although it is unusual for aspiring sales representatives to study psychology in college, the two fields call for similar skills, including the ability to read people and gauge what is going on in their mind. Requirements vary from company to company, but good sales people should be able to speak comfortably with anyone at any time. Because sales jobs often involve cold calls, good sales people should also be able to quickly bounce back from rejection.

Median annual wage: $52,460 (varies heavily)

Common entry-level degree: High School diploma/Bachelor’s degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 85%

10 Famous People Who Studied Psychology

  1. Selma Blair
  2. Jerry Bruckheimer
  3. Gloria Estefan
  4. Mary Elizabeth “Tipper” Gore
  5. Hugh Hefner
  6. Jonathan Kellerman
  7. Natalie Portman
  8. Jon Stewart
  9. Lil Wayne
  10. Mark Zuckerberg

To explore options for other majors, click here.

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