Psychology

Career Opportunities

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 13,400 openings for psychologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.”

Minnesota State CAREERwise reports that clinical, counseling, and school psychologists in the state earn nearly $43/hour, or well about the statewide median of $23/hour. Currently in very high demand, this career is seeing very high growth compared to other careers. The growth rate of 13.6 percent is well above the statewide average.

Minnesota will need approximately 3,560 new clinical, counseling, and school psychologists to meet market demand between 2018–2028.

Employment Information

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Fast Facts

Median annual wages for psychologists by specialty in May 2020
  • Psychologists, all other: $105,780
  • Industrial-organizational psychologists: $96,270
  • Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists: $79,820
Median annual wages for psychologists in May 2020 by sector
  • Government: $100,360
  • Hospitals; state, local, and private: $90,640
  • Ambulatory healthcare services: $85,970
  • Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private: $77,560

— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Psychologist Work Settings

  • Laboratories
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Research facilities
  • Private office
  • Courtrooms
  • High schools and colleges
  • Law enforcement agencies
  • Community health centers
  • Prisons
  • Corporate offices

Career Options

Psychologists are concerned with sound mental health in all facets of modern society. They branch out across numerous specialties in the psychological field, including:

Counseling psychologists
  • Work at schools, hospitals or in private practice
  • Lead group or individual counseling sessions
  • Developmental psychologists
  • Research changes in behavioral patterns
  • Correct behavioral disorders caused by improper development
Forensic psychologists
  • Work with law-enforcement personnel
  • Perform psychological evaluations
  • Research psychologists
  • Study causes of behavioral patterns
  • Conduct trials with human and animal subjects
Industrial psychologists
  • Work with businesses to operate high-quality work environments
  • Screen new employees
Clinical psychologists
  • Work to prevent, diagnose and treat mental disorders
  • Perform diagnostic exams on patients
School psychologists
  • Work with parents, teachers and students to foster learning
  • Promote a safe educational environment
Social psychologists
  • Examine behavioral trends in society
  • Provide guidance on leadership, group behavior and attitude control

American Psychological Association (APA)

The American Psychological Association (APA) describes psychologists as innovators dedicated to developing new approaches to help people and organizations adapt to an increasingly complex and fast-paced world. Psychologists work with professionals from all disciplines, branching out in numerous specialties from clinical psychology to neuroscience to forensic psychology to psychotherapy to industrial psychology.

As a psychology major, you'll be able to choose from a full range of career options. You will acquire a deeper understanding of human behavior while broadening your skill set in research, statistics, and communication.

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