14 Exciting Psychology Careers in High Demand

Psychology is an incredibly popular field of education, which can make competition for psychology jobs a bit fierce. With that said, however, there is a wide range of jobs in psychology that are positioned to be increasingly in high demand in the coming years. In this article, we'll explore the fastest growing psychology careers that you can pursue with a degree in psychology in order to help you choose a rewarding career that is perfectly suited for your skillet and interests.

Psychologist Job Outlook

According to the United States 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." The BLS also lists the median salary of psychologists at $105,780 per year.

It is worth noting, though, that this job outlook for psychologists applies to the field of psychology as a whole. Within the field of psychology, there are several more niche professions that are positioned for even faster growth than the field at large. Clinical psychology, for example, is expected to grow in demand at an especially fast rate in line with similar growing demand for almost all healthcare positions. Demand for school psychologists is poised to grow at an accelerated rate, as well, thanks to an increased awareness of the connection between mental health and education.

14 Psychology Jobs in High Demand

There are a number of unique and interesting psychology fields in demand. Just a few of the exciting and rapidly growing jobs you can attain with a bachelor degree in psychology include roles such as:

1.    Vocational/Career Counselor

Vocational/career counselors are charged with helping people find career paths that match their skills, experience, and interests. Career counselors are often employed by higher learning institutions but are also employed by various government departments and social service agencies. If you are interested in helping people find their ideal career and you’re good at identifying skills in others, then a career as a vocational/career counselor is a great way to put those abilities to use.

2.    School Psychologist

As previously mentioned, demand for school psychologists is expected to increase at a faster than average rate due to an increased focus on mental health within the education system. As a school psychologist, your job will be to help students overcome any mental or emotional issues so that they are able to reach their full academic potential. If you enjoy working with teenagers or young children, then a job as a school psychologist can be a highly rewarding career.

3.    Family Marriage Counselor

Family marriage counselors work with couples to help them overcome whatever issues might be impacting their marriage in addition to helping people work through other family-related issues. They are commonly employed by private counseling practices but are also often employed by organizations such as nursing homes and residential care facilities. If you are interested in helping families and couples develop stronger, more beneficial relationships, then a career as a family marriage counselor is an excellent option to consider.

4.    Engineering Psychologist

Engineering psychologists are charged with studying the correlation between technology and human behavior to help companies design products that are more user-friendly. Engineering psychologists work to help engineering teams create products that are designed with the psychology of the end-user in mind. If you have a passion for both technology and psychology alike, working as an engineering psychologist allows you to explore the area where these two fields meet.

5.    Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychologist

I/O psychology focuses on the behavior of employees within the workplace. Organizations hire I/O psychologists to improve the performance, communication, and satisfaction of their workforce. Like a career as an engineering psychologist, a career as an I/O psychologist is a great choice for anyone who wants to pursue a career on the business side of psychology.

6.    Clinical Psychologist

One of the largest specialty areas within psychology, clinical psychology is focused on the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. As the name suggests, clinical psychologists typically work within a healthcare setting such as a hospital or clinic. If you would like to pursue a career within the fields of both healthcare and psychology, working as a clinical psychologist is a great career choice.

7.    Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychologists work with law enforcement to provide consultation regarding criminal psychology in addition to performing tasks such as serving as expert witnesses during trials, aiding in investigations, and designing treatment programs for the criminally insane. Anyone who is interested in a career where psychology and the legal system meet is sure to enjoy working as a forensic psychologist.

8.    Geropsychologist

Geropsychology is a field of psychology focused on helping people maintain a decent quality of their life in their older years. Geropsychologists work with the elderly and their families to apply the methods and principles of psychology to help them overcome late-life problems. They are commonly employed by nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospice services. With the population of elderly citizens in the United States continuing to grow, a professional role as a geropsychologist is a high-demand career and great choice for anyone who enjoys working with older people.

9.    Social Worker

Social workers can be employed by either government agencies or private companies to protect vulnerable children and families that are in need of assistance. Social workers strive to help people cope with a wide range of life challenges, from being diagnosed with a terminal illness to becoming a foster parent. If you would like a career that affords you the opportunity to give back to your community and make a difference in the lives of the people who need help the most, then a career as a social worker is an excellent choice.

10.    Neuropsychologist

Neuropsychologists work within the biological side of psychology to study the relationship between the brain and human behavior. Most neuropsychologists are employed in clinical settings to assist with patients who have experienced behavioral changes due to a brain injury or disease, though some work primarily as researchers. If you are fascinated by the human brain and its impact on behavior, working as a neuropsychologist is a rewarding and in-demand career to consider.

11.    Market Research Analyst

Marketing and psychology are closely intertwined, with companies across all industries striving to design ads that will appeal to people as strongly as possible. With this being the case, most all major corporations employ marketing research analysts with backgrounds in psychology as part of their marketing team. Marketing research analysts apply the principles of psychology to help design ads and marketing campaigns that will have the desired psychological effect on consumers. If you would like to pursue a career that incorporates both marketing and psychology, there are plenty of companies looking for marketing research analysts to join their marketing team.

12.    Genetics Counselor

Genetics counselors work to consult patients and healthcare providers alike regarding inherited conditions. Most genetics counselors work in clinical settings, with some working in a purely research capacity. Given that the field of genetics is relatively new and still ripe with opportunity, the job growth of genetics counselors is expected to climb at a faster than average pace.

13.    Sports Psychologist

Sports psychologists work with athletes within both collegiate and professional sports to help them improve their performance through the application of psychological methods and principles. Sports psychologists are often employed by the university or organization that is fielding the team they work with, though many choose to work as freelance consultants or as part of a third-party firm. If you have a passion for sports and psychology alike, then you are sure to enjoy working with athletes as a sports psychologist.

14.    Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance abuse counselors work with those who are struggling with addiction to help them overcome their illness and any mental conditions associated with it. Due in no small part to the country's raging opioid epidemic, the demand for substance abuse counselors is high. While this is no doubt unfortunate, it does create a potentially rewarding career for anyone who would like to commit themselves to helping those who need it most.

Kickstart Your Psychology Career with a Degree from University of the Cumberlands

At University of the Cumberlands, we are proud to offer a number of excellent degree programs within the field of psychology, including undergraduate degrees as well as master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. Through these accredited degree programs, we are able to prepare students for a wide range of fascinating and rewarding psychology careers.

If you are interested in learning more about the psychology degree programs offered at University of the Cumberlands, contact an admissions counselor or request more information today.