Psychology careers, jobs and salaries

What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology? 

Psychologists know they have a great responsibility to ensure the mental health and well being of patients and clients at all ages and skill levels. They also take time to understand brain functions and human behavior while diagnosing disorders and emotional patters in clients while setting treatment plans to make an impact in people’s lives. If that sounds interesting, check out the Top 10 resons to get a bachelor's in psychology

While we typical think of psychologists in a clinical setting with a master’s degree or higher, there are plenty of career options for students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

IS PSYCHOLOGY A GOOD MAJOR?

Yes! Psychology is a great major because of the variety of career paths available within the field. A bachelor’s degree in psychology is your first step to starting on one of the many career pathways in the field.

From career counselors to rehabilitation workers to psychotherapists and professors, there are plenty of career options that start with a solid foundation you gain as a psychology major.

If you enjoy working with people and are interested in learning about human processes than psychology is a great major for you. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychology careers and social and human services industries are growing. Here are some of the careers you can transition to with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Psychological and Psychiatric Services

While advanced education and clinical hours may be required to become a licensed psychologist and psychiatrist, there are plenty of entry-level positions that fall within the field. 

Psychiatric technicians care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions and disabilities under the instruction of physicians. Job growth in this field is expected to increase 12% through 2029 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This high demand job had a median salary of $32,020, but can be as high as $65,000 when working with drug and alcohol recover private practices.

If you are more interested in researching the human brain and emotional responses, a laboratory assistant could be an exciting career path. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians collect samples and perform tests under the direction of healthcare professionals. This field will grow 7% by 2029 and includes a median salary of $53,120 as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Other potential careers in psychological and psychiatric services include:

  • Rehabilitation specialists
  • Mental health counselors
  • Marriage and family therapist

 

Psychology careers and jobs fair

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PennWest California's Bachelor's degree in Psychology

This career-oriented psychology degree program teaches you how to apply the scientific method to human problems, preparing you to excel in a wide variety of jobs and graduate study.

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Business, Marketing and Advertising

There are plenty of career opportunities for psychology majors in the business, marketing and advertising fields. Understanding the psychographic reasons why customers purchase a product, or how employees work together in the workplace is a increasingly in-demand skill.

Market research analysts learn about market conditions to examine the impact of marketing and how customers relate to brand messages or advertising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates an 18% job growth through 2029 and a median salary of $63,790.

A Human resources specialist not only recruits and interviews potential candidates, but also handles employee relations, benefits packages and training. With a 7% job growth through 2029 and a $61,920 median annual salary, this career can be an excellent option for psychology majors.

Additional potential careers include: 

  • Advertising
  • Sales Representative
  • Copy Writers

Schools and Education

Children learning to develop their academic skills and emotional aptitudes are great work environments for those with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

School and career counselors help students develop academic and social skills, along with helping to choose a path to employment. With a median salary of $57,040 and an 8% job growth through 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this could be an exciting career path.

Other career pathways include:

  • Child Care Worker
  • Teachers

Social and Human Services

Other types of social and human service assistants provide support for families and individuals, including rehabilitation and social work. This category also includes a bridge to the criminal justice field, such as parole officers and criminologists.

Social and human services assistants provide services to clients in social work, rehabilitation and mental health. Many of these fields can be found in nonprofit organizations as well as state and local governments. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates a 17% job growth through 2029 with an average median pay of $35,060

Other careers within social and human services for psychology majors include:

  • Case Manager
  • Probation and Parole Officer
  • Social Service Specialists
  • Criminologist

How much money can you make with a bachelor’s degree in psychology?

If salary is the driving factor behind your decision to work in the psychology field, then there are a wide variety of pay scales within the industry. Entry-level social workers can make around $35,000, while psychiatric technicians can make up to $65,000 per year.

It is important to find the aspect of the industry in which you most enjoy and feel most comfortable working in. This field is mostly involved with helping people, either in a clinical setting or in a business setting. Psychology majors benefit from skills that are appealing to many different types of industries.

Degree Options at PennWest California

Choosing PennWest California for undergraduate study is an important first step to unlocking excellent career opportunities for your future. Earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology expands your skill set and increases your career opportunities whether you choose to work in Pennsylvania, across the country or even around the world. Benefits of this degree program include:

  • PennWest California’s psychology program has had 100% of its graduates since 2013 become employed or enrolled in graduate school.
  • Engage in psychology research projects and on-site psychological observations. Participate in psychology internships in mental health centers, HR departments, zoological institutions and more.
  • PennWest California encourages psychology students to take five courses in the area that interests them most: clinical/counseling, social/applied, educational/school psychology or cognitive/experimental. 

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