Career Outlook


The outlook for jobs in Psychology looks very promising with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2007), U.S. Department of Labor noting that “faster-than-average employment growth is expected for psychologists … Employment will grow because of increased demand for psychological services in schools, hospitals, social service agencies, mental health centers, substance abuse treatment clinics, consulting firms, and private companies.”

 

Nationwide Projections (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007)

Base Year Employment 2006

Projected Employment 2016

Change

Total, all occupations

150,620,175

166,220,300

10.36+ %

Clinical/counseling/ school psychology

152,381

176,462

15.80+ %

Industrial/organizational psychology

1,943

2,356

21.26+ %

Psychologists, all others

11,591

12,503

7.87+ %

 

Chicagoland Projections (Illinois Department Employment Security 2008)

 

Base Year Employment 2004

Projected Employment 2014

Change

Total, all occupations

3,959,437

4,348,224

9.82+ %

Clinical/counseling/ school psychology

4628

5612

21.26+ %

Industrial/organizational psychology

42

50

19.59+ %

Psychologists, all others

153

172

12.47+ %

 

The U.S. Department of Labor also points out that “job prospects should be the best for people who have a doctoral degree from a leading university in an applied specialty, such as counseling or health, and those with a specialist or doctoral degree in school psychology. … Opportunities will be limited for bachelor’s degree holders, so advanced education is recommended.”

Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2007), U.S. Department of Labor, median annual earnings of clinical, counseling, and school psychologists in May 2006 were $59,440. The middle 50 percent earned between $45,300 and $77,750. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,280, but the highest 10 percent earned more than $102,730. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of clinical, counseling, and school psychologists were:

  • Offices of mental health practitioners -$69,510
  • Elementary and secondary schools -$61,290
  • Local government -$58,770
  • Individual and family services -$50,780
  • Outpatient care centers -$50,310

Median annual earnings of industrial-organizational psychologists in May 2006 were $86,420. The middle 50 percent earned between $66,310 and $115,000. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,380, but the highest 10 percent earned more than $139,620.