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What are some of the key benefits of being a psychologist? It’s a question students aspiring toward a psychology career may be asking themselves. Before you decide go down this career path, it is important to ask yourself whether or not you will enjoy being a psychologist.There are many benefits to being a psychologist. In addition to working in a field you hopefully love, you will also be given the opportunity to tackle challenges, help people grow as individuals, and learn new things about yourself.

What are some of the key benefits of being a psychologist? It’s a question students aspiring toward a psychology career may be asking themselves. Before you decide go down this career path, it is important to ask yourself whether or not you will enjoy being a psychologist.

There are many benefits to being a psychologist. In addition to working in a field you hopefully love, you will also be given the opportunity to tackle challenges, help people grow as individuals, and learn new things about yourself.

1Find Meaning in Helping OthersPeter Dazeley/Photographer’s Choice/Getty ImagesOne of the major attractions of becoming a psychologist is the opportunity to help others. If you enjoy working with people, a career in psychology is a great choice. While the job can be stressful at times, many psychologists describe their jobs as gratifying and fulfilling.

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Find Meaning in Helping OthersPeter Dazeley/Photographer’s Choice/Getty ImagesOne of the major attractions of becoming a psychologist is the opportunity to help others. If you enjoy working with people, a career in psychology is a great choice. While the job can be stressful at times, many psychologists describe their jobs as gratifying and fulfilling.

Find Meaning in Helping Others

Peter Dazeley/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images

Young woman in therapy

One of the major attractions of becoming a psychologist is the opportunity to help others. If you enjoy working with people, a career in psychology is a great choice. While the job can be stressful at times, many psychologists describe their jobs as gratifying and fulfilling.

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Have a Flexible Work Schedule

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Work schedule

One big advantage ofbecoming a psychologistis that you can have a rewarding career and still have plenty of time to spend with your friends and family.

Psychologists who work in hospitals or mental health offices may not have as flexible work schedules as their self-employed counterparts, but there are still plenty of opportunities to set hours that work with your life and family demands.

3Earn a Potentially High SalaryJGI/Jamie Grill / Blend Images / Getty ImagesWhile money isn’t the only reason to choose a certain career, psychologists are generally well-compensated for their time and effort. On average,psychologists earnbetween $43,800 to $129,250 annually.Some individuals opt to work part-time, and can still earn a respectable income while leaving time to care for children and fulfill other personal obligations.It is important to note these salaries reflect professionals who hold advanced degrees in their fields. Those who have earned an undergraduate degree in psychology cannot refer to themselves as psychologists, as it is a legally protected title.Those withbachelor’s level degreesalso face lower salaries and fewer job options than those with more training.

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Earn a Potentially High SalaryJGI/Jamie Grill / Blend Images / Getty ImagesWhile money isn’t the only reason to choose a certain career, psychologists are generally well-compensated for their time and effort. On average,psychologists earnbetween $43,800 to $129,250 annually.Some individuals opt to work part-time, and can still earn a respectable income while leaving time to care for children and fulfill other personal obligations.It is important to note these salaries reflect professionals who hold advanced degrees in their fields. Those who have earned an undergraduate degree in psychology cannot refer to themselves as psychologists, as it is a legally protected title.Those withbachelor’s level degreesalso face lower salaries and fewer job options than those with more training.

Earn a Potentially High Salary

JGI/Jamie Grill / Blend Images / Getty Images

Stacking money

While money isn’t the only reason to choose a certain career, psychologists are generally well-compensated for their time and effort. On average,psychologists earnbetween $43,800 to $129,250 annually.

Some individuals opt to work part-time, and can still earn a respectable income while leaving time to care for children and fulfill other personal obligations.

It is important to note these salaries reflect professionals who hold advanced degrees in their fields. Those who have earned an undergraduate degree in psychology cannot refer to themselves as psychologists, as it is a legally protected title.Those withbachelor’s level degreesalso face lower salaries and fewer job options than those with more training.

4Run Your Own BusinessEternity in an Instant/The Image Bank/Getty ImagesIf you enjoy working for yourself and have an entrepreneurial spirit, becoming a psychologist can be an excellent career choice. Establishing your own private therapy practice gives you the opportunity to have full control over your career.According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an estimated 29% of all psychologists are self-employed.Psychologists working in specialized fields such asindustrial-organizational psychology, educational psychology, andforensic psychologymay also find opportunities for self-employment as private consultants.

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Run Your Own BusinessEternity in an Instant/The Image Bank/Getty ImagesIf you enjoy working for yourself and have an entrepreneurial spirit, becoming a psychologist can be an excellent career choice. Establishing your own private therapy practice gives you the opportunity to have full control over your career.According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an estimated 29% of all psychologists are self-employed.Psychologists working in specialized fields such asindustrial-organizational psychology, educational psychology, andforensic psychologymay also find opportunities for self-employment as private consultants.

Run Your Own Business

Eternity in an Instant/The Image Bank/Getty Images

If you enjoy working for yourself and have an entrepreneurial spirit, becoming a psychologist can be an excellent career choice. Establishing your own private therapy practice gives you the opportunity to have full control over your career.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an estimated 29% of all psychologists are self-employed.

Psychologists working in specialized fields such asindustrial-organizational psychology, educational psychology, andforensic psychologymay also find opportunities for self-employment as private consultants.

5Encounter Plenty of New ChallengesWillie B. Thomas/Taxi/Getty ImagesThe field of psychology is both diverse and challenging, so no matter which type you choose to pursue, you probably won’t find yourself bored very often.Clinical psychologists face constant challenges from clients who need their help in solving problems. Other specialty areas such as sports psychology and forensic psychology face their own unique demands and obstacles. Being a psychologist might be stressful at times, but the profession presents intellectual challenges that keep the job interesting.

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Encounter Plenty of New ChallengesWillie B. Thomas/Taxi/Getty ImagesThe field of psychology is both diverse and challenging, so no matter which type you choose to pursue, you probably won’t find yourself bored very often.Clinical psychologists face constant challenges from clients who need their help in solving problems. Other specialty areas such as sports psychology and forensic psychology face their own unique demands and obstacles. Being a psychologist might be stressful at times, but the profession presents intellectual challenges that keep the job interesting.

Encounter Plenty of New Challenges

Willie B. Thomas/Taxi/Getty Images

Psychologist

The field of psychology is both diverse and challenging, so no matter which type you choose to pursue, you probably won’t find yourself bored very often.

Clinical psychologists face constant challenges from clients who need their help in solving problems. Other specialty areas such as sports psychology and forensic psychology face their own unique demands and obstacles. Being a psychologist might be stressful at times, but the profession presents intellectual challenges that keep the job interesting.

6Meet a Wide Variety of PeopleTom Merton / Caiaimage / Getty ImagesIf you enjoy working with people and helping them achieve their full potential, then becoming a psychologist can be extremely rewarding.While you will often face challenges, seeing your clients make real progress and work towards their goals will likely leave you feeling accomplished.Whether you areworking exclusively with children, adults, married couples or families, you will have the opportunity to meet and help people from all walks of life.

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Meet a Wide Variety of PeopleTom Merton / Caiaimage / Getty ImagesIf you enjoy working with people and helping them achieve their full potential, then becoming a psychologist can be extremely rewarding.While you will often face challenges, seeing your clients make real progress and work towards their goals will likely leave you feeling accomplished.Whether you areworking exclusively with children, adults, married couples or families, you will have the opportunity to meet and help people from all walks of life.

Meet a Wide Variety of People

Tom Merton / Caiaimage / Getty Images

Therapist leading a group therapy session

If you enjoy working with people and helping them achieve their full potential, then becoming a psychologist can be extremely rewarding.

While you will often face challenges, seeing your clients make real progress and work towards their goals will likely leave you feeling accomplished.

Whether you areworking exclusively with children, adults, married couples or families, you will have the opportunity to meet and help people from all walks of life.

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Careers in Psychology.U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Careers in Psychology.U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.Careers in Psychology.U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

American Psychological Association.Careers in Psychology.

U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

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