Where Do Psychologists Work?

Psychology careers are diverse and highly varied. Psychologists work in many settings, including hospitals, schools, governments, and private practices. If you want to become a psychologist, it's important to learn more about where you might work, what you'll do, and how much you might earn.

So exactly where do psychologists work? According to the American Psychological Association, you can find psychologists working in:

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Research laboratories
• Courtrooms
• Universities
• Community health centers
• Corporate offices
• Prisons

Statistics on Where Psychologists Work

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologists held 196,000 jobs in 2022. Of these professionals:

• 67,500 were clinical and counseling psychologists
• 62,200 were school psychologists
• 56,300 were other types of psychologists
• 10,100 were industrial-organizational psychologists

So where exactly do all of these psychologists work? The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports:

• 28% are self-employed
• 27% work in elementary and secondary schools
• 21% work in ambulatory healthcare services 
• 8% work in government
• 4% work for state, local, and private hospitals

Many psychologists and therapists work independently in research or working with clients to treat mental health conditions. Others work in more collaborative settings. They make up part of a therapeutic team and work alongside physicians, psychiatrists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.

Places Where Psychologists Work

Common employment settings for psychologists and therapists include:

• Mental health clinics
• Hospitals and physician offices
• Private clinics
• Prisons and correctional facilities
• Government agencies
• Schools, colleges, and universities
• Veterans hospitals
• Non-profit agencies
• Businesses
• Independent practice

Educational Settings

As of 2022, an estimated 27% of psychologists work in elementary and secondary school settings. Some psychologists may work in teaching positions, but others may serve as counselors or other educational positions.

School psychologists, for example, work in elementary and secondary schools to help kids with social, behavioral, emotional, and academic challenges.

In addition to the previously mentioned jobs, many psychologists hold faculty positions at colleges and universities.

While educational requirements vary depending on the specific job role, most psychologists who work in educational settings have a minimum of a master's degree. Some positions may require a specialist degree in an area such as school psychology, counseling, or educational psychology.

Government Settings

Approximately 8% of psychologists work for government agencies. The government often employs psychologists to work in public hospitals, clinics, correctional facilities, and other settings.

Healthcare Settings

Around 21% are employed by ambulatory healthcare services, and another 4% work in state, local, and private hospitals. Ambulatory care services refer to those that provide mental health services on an outpatient basis.

Those who work in health care often work for:

• Mental health practitioners
• Physicians
• Outpatient mental health
• Substance abuse centers
• Private hospitals

Some entry-level positions are available with a bachelor's degree, but most advanced positions will require at least a master's level or doctorate degree.

Other Settings

Psychologists are also employed in several other areas:

• Many psychologists work in research positions in various subfields of psychology.
• Some additional areas of employment include positions in industrial-organizational psychology and human-factors psychology.
• Other psychologists work in business as managers, consultants, and marketing researchers.
• Some religious organizations also employ psychologists.

Work Schedules Can Vary

A psychologist's work schedule depends largely upon the specialty area in which they work and who employs them. Those who work in school, business, government, or healthcare settings often work full-time each week during normal business hours.

Those who are self-employed or work for outpatient clinics may find that their work hours are less regular. They can often set their own schedules, but they may also find themselves having to work evenings or weekends in order to accommodate clients or deal with client emergencies.

Salaries Based on Where Psychologists Work

The median salary for all psychologists in 2022 was $85,330, which translates to $41.02 per hour. Median salaries for specific jobs include:

• Clinical and counseling psychologists: $90,130
• School psychologists: $81,500
• Industrial-organizational psychologist - $139,280
• All other psychologists: $106,420
• Psychologists working in government: $106,690
• Psychologists working in hospitals: $101,030
• Psychologists working in ambulatory healthcare services: $92,170
• Psychologists working in elementary and secondary schools: $81,620
  

Job Outlook for Psychologists and Therapists

Employment for psychologists overall is predicted to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that this is faster than the average outlook for most other careers.

For clinical and counseling psychologists, the estimated growth is 11%. The growing need for mental health services, as well as an aging population, may help drive the demand for psychologists to increase in the coming years.