Salary and Training for Experimental Psychologists

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Definition

Education and Training

Work Environment

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Job Outlook

Is It Right for You?

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At a GlanceExperimental psychologists use the scientific method to do studies that help us understand the human mind and behavior. Experimental psychology is one of the highest-paying psychology jobs, but you’ll need at least a master’s degree to work in the field.

At a Glance

Experimental psychologists use the scientific method to do studies that help us understand the human mind and behavior. Experimental psychology is one of the highest-paying psychology jobs, but you’ll need at least a master’s degree to work in the field.

Do you enjoy researching human behavior? If you have a passion for solving problems and exploring theoretical questions, you might be interested in a career as an experimental psychologist. Experimental psychologists study a wide range of psychological topics that involve humans and animals.

This career profile of experimental psychologists will cover what they do, the education requirements for experimental psychology, and how much money they can make.

What Is Experimental Psychology?

What Experimental Psychologists Do

An experimentalpsychologistusesscientific methodsto collect data and conduct research. Experimental psychologists explore all kinds of psychology topics, from learning and personality to the brain and cognitive processes. Your interests, education, and area of employment will all influence the type of research you choose to do as an experimental psychologist.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), experimental psychologists often work for universities, government agencies, private research centers, and nonprofit organizations.

Experimental psychologists may study the minds and behaviors of humans and animals. Some areas of interest in experimental psychology are memory, learning, attention, sensation and perception, and how the brain influences behavior.

Degree programs inexperimental psychologytrain students to design studies, conduct empirical research, and understand the ethics of doing psychological studies.

Here are some examples of the courses you might take when pursuing a degree in experimental psychology:

You will also likely do research projects, seminars, fieldwork, internships, and a dissertation.

The minimum education requirement is usually a master’s degree in general or experimental psychology. A doctorate-level degree in psychology is usually required to work at a university.

However, you do not have to get a degree in experimental psychology to work as an experimental psychologist. Doctorate programs in psychology also provide rigorous training in research design and experimental methods.

Appliedspecialty areasin psychology, such as human factors psychology and industrial-organizational psychology, often have a strong research focus. Professionals working in these psychology fields can choose to make experimentation and research part of their careers.

Experimental psychologists work in a variety of settings, including colleges, universities, research centers, government, and private businesses.

Some professionals teach experimental methods to students, while others research cognitive processes, animal behavior, neuroscience, personality, and other topics in psychology.

People who work in academic settings often teachpsychology courseson top of researching and publishing their findings in professional journals.

Experimental psychologists can work with businesses to find new ways to help employees be productive or to create a safer workplace using the principles ofindustrial-organizational psychologyandhuman factors psychology.

Here are a few examples of the research questions an experimental psychologist might work on answering:

Master’s in Psychology Prerequisites

In 2015, the American Psychological Association (APA) salary report showed that experimental psychology was one of the highest-earning psychology degrees. The average median salary for an experimental psychologist was $92,000 a year.

Salaries for experimental psychologists also depend on where they live and practice. For example,Salary.comsays the median yearly pay for an experimental psychologist in the U.S. is around $103,000, but the higher end of the range is closer to $129,000 in some parts of the country.

Is a Career in Experimental Psychology Right For You?

Experimental psychologists need to have an excellent understanding of psychology research methods as well as outstanding organization, communication, and writing skills.

Experimental psychology might be a good fit if you have the following qualities:

If you get a job as an experimental psychologist, research won’t be the only thing you’ll do. You can expect to have other administrative tasks, such as obtaining funding for studies, maintaining accurate records, working with peers, and publishing and presenting your research findings.

If you’ll also be teaching, part of your job will be coming up with lesson plans, grading papers and exams, and advising and mentoring your students.

You can take thisquizto see if a career in experimental psychology might be right for you.

9 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.All about experimental psychology..The Princeton Review.Experimental psychology.Oxford University Press.Experimental psychology courses.The University of West Alabama. Master of Science in experimental psychology.The Ohio State Universty.Course requirements for experimental PhD in psychology.The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Houston Baptist University.Course Syllabus PSYC 3410-01 - Experimental Psychology.American Psychological Association.Salaries in psychology: Findings from the National Science Foundation’s 2015 National Survey of College Graduates.Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.Psychologists: Job Outlook.Occupational Outlook Handbook.Washington State University.Goals of the experimental psychology program.

9 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.All about experimental psychology..The Princeton Review.Experimental psychology.Oxford University Press.Experimental psychology courses.The University of West Alabama. Master of Science in experimental psychology.The Ohio State Universty.Course requirements for experimental PhD in psychology.The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Houston Baptist University.Course Syllabus PSYC 3410-01 - Experimental Psychology.American Psychological Association.Salaries in psychology: Findings from the National Science Foundation’s 2015 National Survey of College Graduates.Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.Psychologists: Job Outlook.Occupational Outlook Handbook.Washington State University.Goals of the experimental psychology program.

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.All about experimental psychology..The Princeton Review.Experimental psychology.Oxford University Press.Experimental psychology courses.The University of West Alabama. Master of Science in experimental psychology.The Ohio State Universty.Course requirements for experimental PhD in psychology.The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Houston Baptist University.Course Syllabus PSYC 3410-01 - Experimental Psychology.American Psychological Association.Salaries in psychology: Findings from the National Science Foundation’s 2015 National Survey of College Graduates.Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.Psychologists: Job Outlook.Occupational Outlook Handbook.Washington State University.Goals of the experimental psychology program.

American Psychological Association.All about experimental psychology..

The Princeton Review.Experimental psychology.

Oxford University Press.Experimental psychology courses.

The University of West Alabama. Master of Science in experimental psychology.

The Ohio State Universty.Course requirements for experimental PhD in psychology.

The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Houston Baptist University.Course Syllabus PSYC 3410-01 - Experimental Psychology.

American Psychological Association.Salaries in psychology: Findings from the National Science Foundation’s 2015 National Survey of College Graduates.

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

Washington State University.Goals of the experimental psychology program.

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