Psychologists help individuals, couples, and groups make behavioral changes and specialize in the human mind for scientific study. Typically, they should not be confused with medical doctors or psychiatrists who can prescribe medicine for mental care. In many U.S. states, psychologists treat patients using psychotherapy and discussion instead of medication.
The tasks and job expectations of psychologists vary depending on the type of psychologist. For instance, a forensic psychologist would be required to offer expert testimony in legal cases. In contrast, a clinical psychologist would concentrate more on treating and diagnosing mental illness, while still others (in some states) would be required to take additional training to prescribe medication.
Individual psychologists can prescribe medication in addition to counseling for many cases, according to the APA. As of now, only three states – Louisiana, New Mexico, and Illinois – allow psychologists to work with physicians, pediatricians, and psychiatrists to prescribe certain medications.
According to the BLS, school psychologists, and clinical, counseling, in the U.S. averaged $80,370 per annum, or $38.64 an hour. The highest-paid psychologists made more than $120,320, or $57.85 an hour, while the least-paid earned $41,830, or $20.11.
These professionals specialize in treating and diagnosing mental ailments, using child, family, individual, and group therapies. I-O (Industrial-organizational) psychologists averaged $104,570, or $50.37 an hour. The highest salary for this specialty was more than $184,390, or $88.65, and the lowest was less than $52,960, or $25.56. These psychologists help businesses solve problems in administration, management, personnel, marketing, and sales.
Trainee clinical psychologists begin at £30,501 (Band 6) of the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates. After qualification, salaries within the NHS start at £37,670 (Band 7).
An entry-level psychologist (1-5 years of experience) earns an average salary of ¥162,967. On the other hand, a senior level psychologist (9+ years of experience) earns an average salary of ¥287,076. The average psychologist salary in China is ¥229,023 or an equivalent hourly rate of ¥110. Moreover, they earn an average bonus of ¥7,031.
The biggest employers for school psychologists(1), and clinical, counseling, were secondary and elementary schools, accounting for 44,290 of the 107,990 workers in these areas nationwide the BLS reports. Salaries there averaged $75,690, or $36.58 an hour.
The highest-paying employers were specialty hospitals excluding substance abuse and psychiatric hospitals, where salaries averaged $93,690, or $45.03. For industrial-organizational psychologists, the biggest employers were scientific, technical, and management consulting firms, which accounted for 350 out of the 1,030 workers in this specialty. Salaries averaged $123,390, or $59.38 an hour. The highest-paying employers were scientific development and research services, at an average of $123,390, or $59.38.
According to the BLS, the state with the highest concentration of jobs for school psychologists and clinical counseling was Massachusetts, which had 1.42 psychologists per thousand workers. Average wages were $75,560, or $36.33 an hour. The state with the highest pay was New Jersey, at an average of $94,660, or $45.60. Virginia has the best concentration of jobs for industrial-organizational psychologists. The average salary there was $120,260, or $57.82 an hour. On average, Virginia is also the state with the highest compensation, $120,260, or $57.82.
[ Read: How to Get the Best Jobs for Psychology Majors? ]
The BLS sees jobs for counseling, clinical, and school psychologists, increasing 14 percent, which is faster than average for all occupations. Positions for industrial-organizational psychologists are expected to grow 8 percent, about as fast as average for all occupations.
Higher demand for psychological service in hospitals, social service agencies, and schools, is expected to power growth in clinical psychologists and increase awareness of the link between learning and mental health. For industrial psychologists, the growth is predicted to come from organizations using psychologists to help increase productivity and retain and select employees.
Also Read:
Step by Step Procedure to Become a Forensic Psychologist
How Much Therapists Really Make