Career Outlook for Developmental Psychologists

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A developmental psychologist studies human growth and development throughout the entire lifespan of their clients. Human development includes psychology, biology, anthropology, sociology, education and history. Developmental psychologists will look at how the client grows, ages and develops as well as milestones of development. This covers not only physical aspects, but also cognitive, social, intellectual, perceptual as well as personality and emotional issues.

Developmental Psychology Careers General Information

While there are some positions at the master’s degree level, there are far more positions and opportunities available at the doctoral level. A developmental psychologist will usually specialize and deal with all age groups pertaining to delayed learning, a specific population and particular age group. They will evaluate to determine the diagnoses, investigate and gather information, study the client and the thought process, their morals, cultural environment and so on, while exploring treatment plans. They will help returning veterans, the elderly, children and people of all ages dealing with developmental issues.

They will work in colleges, universities, grade schools, government agencies, assisted living, teen rehabilitation centers, centers for the homeless, psychiatric clinics and hospitals. There will always be people who are going to need help at any age. There will always be veterans who will need help in dealing with war and trying to learn how to cope with debilitating injuries whether physical or mental.

Developmental Psychology Careers and Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary can range from $69,000 at the lower percentile, $90,000 at the median percentile and as high as $101,000 at the higher percentile. Office settings will pay around $68,000 while state and government agencies will pay around $63,000 and outpatient services might only pay $59,000. Salaries can vary depending on location and practice.

There is a projected growth in the field of 12% and steadily gaining in demand for the next ten years. Issues of this nature will always need to be addressed at all ages.

Psychology has many different branches in which one can explore. One can chose different groups to help whether it is children, veterans or elders. No matter which branch one chooses to specialize in, the education will take years to accomplish and the demand will remain high. The hours can be extremely long and some fields will offer evening and weekend hours.

Keeping the development of people on track is critical to a person being able to live to their full potential. Helping people learn how to deal with everyday aspects and helping them with their learning curve or other issues is truly rewarding and can also be stressful to the practitioners in the fields. Being a family member who is also affected due to a loved one’s developmental issues and knowing that the help is there is an unmentionable quality of life that can be given back to all involved including the family members. When there is a war veteran or other family member in need of help, it is a great relief to know that help is there and they are not the only people dealing with such issues.