Master’s in Psychology Jobs – What jobs can you do with a master’s in psychology?

Search thousands of jobs requiring a master’s degree in psychology Master's in Psychology Jobs

What’s in this guide?

By PsychologyJobs.com Staff Writer

Our career guides are produced by staff writers in conjunction with our expert career coaches.

A master’s degree is often rigorous, intensive and well-respected by employers. Thanks to the varied skill set required to complete this qualification, there are a number of jobs available to individuals who hold a master’s degree in psychology or a related subject. If you’re interested in job opportunities for psychology master’s graduates, take a look at the information below. We cover everything, from expected salaries according to specialization, to the pros and cons of completing a doctoral degree.

Overview

A master’s degree is a graduate-level academic degree that involves advanced study of psychological theories, principles, and research methods. It typically requires 1-3 years of full-time study, depending on the program and whether it is pursued on a part-time or full-time basis.

When you hear “Master’s degree in Psychology” this can actually mean a number of different things. For example it may mean a Master of Arts or MA in Psychology where the program focuses on the theoretical and research aspects of psychology, and provides students with a strong foundation in psychological theory, research methods, and statistical analysis.

It may mean a Master of Science or MS in Psychology where the program places more emphasis on research methods and data analysis, and is often geared towards students who plan to pursue a career in research.

It may even mean one of the above (MA or MS) in a specific subfield of psychology e.g. clinical psychology, counseling psychology, organizational psychology, forensic psychology or many others.

The one thing these different types of degree program have in common is that they can often open similar doors in terms of job opportunities.

What jobs can you do with a Master’s degree in Psychology?

It is important to note that whilst many of these roles do require a Master’s degree (i.e. they don’t require a doctorate degree), there may be additional steps required such as further training, certification or supervised hours. Additionally, you may find that many of these types of roles offer preference to candidates with a doctoral degree.

  1. Mental Health Therapist: Licensed therapist providing individual or group therapy to address a range of mental health conditions or concerns.
  2. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): Licensed therapist providing counseling to individuals or groups on a range of mental health or emotional issues.
  3. Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC): Licensed counselor providing mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to individuals or groups.
  4. School Psychologist: Providing psychological services to students in school settings, such as assessments, counseling, and behavioral interventions.
  5. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist: Applying principles of psychology to workplace issues, such as employee selection, training, and performance evaluation.
  6. Forensic Psychologist: Applying principles of psychology to legal issues, such as conducting evaluations of defendants, providing expert testimony, or assisting with jury selection.
  7. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Licensed social worker providing clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to individuals or groups with mental health or emotional issues.
  8. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): Licensed therapist helping couples and families navigate relationship challenges and improve communication.
  9. Addiction Counselor: Supporting individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction to recover.
  10. ABA therapist: develop and implement interventions that help individuals with developmental or behavioral disorders acquire new skills and overcome challenging behaviors.
  11. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: Providing medication management and therapy to individuals with mental health conditions.
  12. Educational Psychologist:Improve the learning and development processes of individuals within educational settings.
  13. Developmental Psychologist:Study the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes that occur across the lifespan, from infancy to old age.

Careers outside of mental health

if you decide after completing a master’s degree in psychology that you want a career outside of the psychology field, there are many options available to you too.

Thanks to the transferable skills required to complete a master’s in psychology, you may consider the following jobs:

  1. User Experience (UX) Researcher: Conducting research on user behavior and preferences to inform product design decisions.
  2. Market Research Analyst: Conducting research on consumer behavior and preferences to inform marketing and advertising strategies.
  3. Organizational Development Specialist: Helping organizations improve performance and productivity through training, leadership development, and cultural change initiatives.
  4. Human Resources Manager: Overseeing employee recruitment, training, and development in organizations.
  5. Data Analyst: Collecting and analyzing data to inform business decisions in a variety of industries.
  6. Program Evaluator: Conducting research to evaluate the effectiveness of social programs and interventions.
  7. Instructional Designer: Designing and developing training materials and programs for use in corporate or educational settings.
  8. Talent Acquisition Specialist: Managing the hiring process for organizations, including sourcing candidates and conducting interviews.
  9. Career Counselor: Helping individuals explore career options and make informed career decisions.
  10. Educational Consultant: Providing expertise and guidance to schools and educational organizations on a range of issues, such as curriculum development, assessment, and instructional design.

What can you earn with a Master’s degree in Psychology?

This is a difficult question to answer because the opportunities open to you are so wide and varied that your likely earnings are similarly varied.

Here are some average annual salaries if you choose to stay within the mental health field:

  1. Mental Health Therapist: $51,340 annual salary
  2. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): $49,570 annual salary
  3. Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC): $50,090 annual salary
  4. School Psychologist: $78,200 annual salary
  5. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist: $109,030 annual salary
  6. Forensic Psychologist: $101,480 annual salary
  7. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): $58,470 annual salary
  8. Marriage and Family Therapist: $54,590 annual salary
  9. Addiction Counselor: $47,660 annual salary
  10. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: $111,840 annual salary

Here are some average annual salaries if you choose an alternative field:

  1. User Experience (UX) Researcher: $85,000 annual salary
  2. Market Research Analyst: $63,000 annual salary
  3. Organizational Development Specialist: $82,000 annual salary
  4. Human Resources Manager: $106,910 annual salary
  5. Data Analyst: $74,280 annual salary
  6. Program Evaluator: $68,880 annual salary
  7. Instructional Designer: $71,680 annual salary
  8. Talent Acquisition Specialist: $64,090 annual salary
  9. Career Counselor: $47,350 annual salary
  10. Educational Consultant: $68,970 annual salary

Get your Master’s Degree

Should you go on to get a doctoral degree in psychology?

“Having a doctorate in psychology opens many more doors than having a master’s degree. With a doctoral degree, you have the ability to specialize in a particular area of psychology, conduct research, teach at the university level, and obtain licensure as a psychologist. A master’s degree provides a solid foundation in psychology but may not offer the same level of professional opportunities and advancement as a doctorate.”
Dr. David B. Baker, Professor of Psychology Emeritus at the University of Akron

If you have already achieved, or plan on achieving, a master’s degree in psychology, it’s likely that you have considered whether completing a doctorate degree is necessary. Below, we discuss the pros and the cons of doing a doctorate degree in psychology.

Pros 

1. Salary

It is important to note that within all of the career paths listed above, individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology are likely to earn more. According to Payscale, the average salary for individuals with a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree is $86,000 a year. This is significantly more than the average yearly salary of individuals holding a master’s degree in psychology.

2. Competition

Although there are many job opportunities for individuals holding a master’s degree in psychology, they will face strong competition from individuals holding doctoral degrees. With a doctorate degree in psychology, you will be significantly more attractive to employers.

3. Career opportunities

With a doctorate degree in psychology, there will be more career opportunities available to you. In particular, if you want to become any type of psychologist or work within research, you will likely need a doctoral degree, or at least, one would be desired.

Cons 

1. Time

Doctorate degree programs take a significant commitment of time. Though duration varies according to university, it can generally take anywhere from 4 to 8 years.

2. Cost

Earning a doctorate can also be particularly costly. Although many Ph.D. Psychology programs offer financial aid, it can still be a significant financial commitment. Due to the intensity of doctorate programs, it is also unlikely that you would be able to maintain a part-time job that paid a significant amount.

3. Intensity

Doctorate degrees are research-intensive and difficult. They are rewarding but are not to be taken on lightly. Competition is also more noticeable than in master’s programs, due to small class sizes. However, this does mean that there is a smaller student-to-faculty ratio, making for a more personalized learning environment.