Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverall Job OutlookSpecialties Expected to GrowDegreesFactors Driving GrowthThe Need for Adaptability

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Overall Job Outlook

Specialties Expected to Grow

Degrees

Factors Driving Growth

The Need for Adaptability

Close

If you’re a psychologist or psychology major, your occupational outlook is bright, particularly if you specialize incertain areas and settings.

The Overall Job Outlook for Psychologists Through 2032

U.S. Department of Labor’sOccupational Outlook Handbookpredicts that the overall demand for psychologists will grow 6% through 2032, which is faster than average for all jobs.

Specialty Areas Expected to Grow

Major Specialty Areas in Psychology

The type of degree you hold also plays an important role in determining your job outlook. Generally, a doctoral degree in psychology is necessary to work in this field, but a master’s degree works for some positions. Here’s the outlook for different levels of education:

Psychologist Salary Info: The 9 Highest Paying Careers

Why the Future Is Bright for Psychologists

Recent events and circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic difficulties, societal shifts, and other changes have increased the need for and importance of psychological services. The need for psychologists who treat the elderly, veterans, children, and adolescents is burgeoning. Likewise, those who have transitioned to remote work may require help with the adjustment. Other factors driving growth in the field include:

11 Things to Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

The American Psychological Association’s (APA) Center for Workforce Studies indicates that approximately 6,500 new psychology doctorate students graduate each year and enter the workforce.

Human behavior is at the heart of many of the biggest issues with which we grapple: inequality, climate change, the future of work, health and well-being, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation. Psychologists have been asked not only to have a seat at the table but to take the lead on these issues and more.

While psychologists working in direct-service fields may see increased competition from those with master’s degrees in counseling or social work, the APA reports that many subfields offer considerable opportunities for growth. These include neuropsychology, geropsychology, and industrial-organizational psychology.

Where Do Psychologists Work?

Why Adaptability Is Crucial

Psychology is increasingly a multidisciplinary field as professionals are asked to collaborate with a range of other professionals including doctors, educators, and other healthcare providers to meet the needs of clients. Finding a place in this shifting landscape requires psychology graduates to be both adaptive and responsive to change.

10 Psychology Courses You Can Take Online

A Word From Verywell

The occupational outlook for psychologists and recent graduates is promising. Although advanced degrees fare better in the workforce, plenty of jobs are available for those with undergraduate degrees in psychology and its specialties. Recent and ongoing changes in society, attitudes, and the world at large are driving a significant need for psychologists in the next decade.

4 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.U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists: Job Outlook.Spiner, T.14 Emerging trends.Monitor on Psychology,53(1).American Psychological Association.Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology Workforce: Education Pipeline.Spiner, T.14 Emerging trends.Monitor on Psychology,53(1).

4 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.U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists: Job Outlook.Spiner, T.14 Emerging trends.Monitor on Psychology,53(1).American Psychological Association.Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology Workforce: Education Pipeline.Spiner, T.14 Emerging trends.Monitor on Psychology,53(1).

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.

U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists: Job Outlook.Spiner, T.14 Emerging trends.Monitor on Psychology,53(1).American Psychological Association.Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology Workforce: Education Pipeline.Spiner, T.14 Emerging trends.Monitor on Psychology,53(1).

U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists: Job Outlook.

Spiner, T.14 Emerging trends.Monitor on Psychology,53(1).

American Psychological Association.Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology Workforce: Education Pipeline.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?