Industrial and Organizational Psychology Careers
Industrial and Organizational Psychology Careers - People studying industrial and organizational psychology have a number of different career options available. Jobs for undergraduate as well as graduate degree holders are available in industrial and organizational psychology. Undergraduate degree holders usually find work in the human resources area of businesses.
Those with graduate degrees in Industrial and organizational psychology find most of their work in various businesses utilizing the theories and practices learned to improve the business environment. Pharmaceutical companies, energy production companies and hospitality businesses are some examples of businesses that hire industrial and organizational psychology graduates.
Non-profit organizations have also been known to hire industrial and organizational psychologists.
In addition, many Industrial and Organizational psychologists become independent consultants to businesses of all sizes. This option offers some lifestyle benefits and can be lucrative.
Businesses are not the only option for employment for industrial and organizational psychology graduates. Another option for industrial and organizational psychology graduates can be found in the school system. Within the school system, an industrial and organizational psychology graduate's duties would include developing tools to assess student achievement as well as teacher performance.
Admission applications for universities and other professional schools are another area where industrial and organizational psychology methods can be used. Educational assessment and testing companies also hire a number of industrial and organizational psychologists.
Industrial and organizational psychology graduates can also find work at various levels of the government performing similar tasks as the ones required for businesses.
Within universities, Industrial and Organizational psychologists conduct research as well as teach undergraduate and graduate students. If you plan to teach at the university level, plan on getting your Ph.D., as this is typically required. You may be able to find work as a research assistant with a Master's degree.
As a university researcher, you would be expected to conduct research to enhance the general knowledge of industrial and organizational psychology.
Salaries for Industrial and Organizational Careers
Salary expectations in the field of industrial and organizational psychology will depend on degree level and years of experience. The starting wage for a Master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology graduate is approximately $56,000 while a Ph.D. graduate will make approximately $83,000.
The average salary for industrial and organizational psychologists is approximately $114,000. The top five percent of industrial and organizational psychologists make anywhere from $250,000 a year to several million according to statistics available from the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
The prospects for industrial and organizational psychology employment are good. A faster than average job growth rate of around twenty percent is expected in the industrial and organizational psychology sector.
As can be seen, the job prospects for a industrial and organizational psychology graduate are numerous and well paying. If you enjoy helping companies prosper and using industrial and organizational psychology methods in real-life situations, then becoming an industrial and organizational psychologist may be a good career choice for you.
Additional Information
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology - Overview
- Information about Industrial and Organizational Psychology Degrees
If you want to search for industrial and organizational psychology careers, don't forget to search for psychology careers in our psychology career search.