Salary Information for Occupational Psychologist

Salary Information for Occupational Psychologist

Feb 2, 2015 | 10:00 am

When considering a career as an occupational psychologist, it is important to understand how education and experience will influence future occupational psychologist salary figures and job opportunities. Psychologists in general are employed in several different work environments and the psychology field is broad and varied with specialties in several areas.

The specialty known as occupational psychology is focused on the mental health of employees and supervisors in the corporate world. An occupational psychologist salary has a lot to do with the amount of training and experience gained by working in the corporate world. Of course, before any on the job training can occur, candidates must meet all educational requirements necessary to become a licensed and certified psychologist.

Expected Salary and Job Outlook

Once all the educational and experience requirements are met, an occupational psychologist salary will average around $97,820 according to the website, About.com. However, there are several variables to consider that will affect salary amount including education level and location of employment.

Psychologists with a doctoral degree will always earn more than their colleagues with only a master’s degree and those who choose to work in the best locations will always earn more as well. For example, an occupational psychologist’s salary in New York will average around $90,000 to $100,000 per year while the same psychologist will only average around $50,000 per year in Abilene or Houston, Texas according to Salaryexpert.com.

How to Make the Most Money as an Occupational Psychologist

Since occupational psychology is corporate driven, anyone working in the field must have a solid grasp on not only human emotions and issues, but a clear understanding of how humans and machinery interact on a daily basis. One of the most unique and challenging aspects of occupational psychology is the ability to work as a mediator of sorts when an employee has difficulty with the machinery he or she interacts with daily.

On a basic level, occupational psychology is a corporate tool to help problem solve when humans and machines have interactive difficulties. In addition, psychologists in this specialty are asked to assess employee skill levels and advise supervisors of an employee’s potential for advancement. In order to earn the highest salary as an occupational psychologist, it is important to fully understand the job duties and daily responsibilities of those working in the field. Once that is accomplished, earning a nice salary is just a matter of proving ability and dedication.

Is Occupational Psychology a Good Fit?

Anyone thinking of choosing occupational psychology as a career should carefully consider what it takes to earn a nice salary and how much commitment and dedication they are willing to put into becoming a successful occupational psychologist. The corporate world is harsh and demanding. It thrives on those who love challenges and problem solving.

Working in the corporate world as an occupational psychologist is no different. However, for those who thrive on the fast-paced world of corporate America, but still want the opportunity to pursue a career as a psychologist, then occupational psychology could be the perfect fit.