Psychologist: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Psychologists earn a national median of $117,580/yr with 4.3% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Psychology, Therapy and Counseling, English Language.
Median Salary
$117,580
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
4.3%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
17,790
2024 data
Typical Education
Master's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Psychologist
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Psychologist candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Psychologist performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Psychologist roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 4.3% for Psychologist roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 17,790
- Projected Growth
- 4.3%
- Typical Education
- Master's degree
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Psychologist do?
- Psychologists apply expertise in Psychology, Therapy and Counseling, English Language to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making.
- How much does a Psychologist make?
- The national median salary for a Psychologist is $117,580 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Psychologist a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Psychologist roles is projected to grow 4.3% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 17,790 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Psychologist?
- The typical entry-level education for a Psychologist is Master's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Psychologists need?
- The most important skills for Psychologist roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Writing, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Active Learning, Service Orientation. Key tools and technologies include: IBM SPSS Statistics.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.