Fastest Growing Jobs in Psychology

1. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

The BLS projects that employers could add 71,500 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling jobs from 2022-2032. That makes this profession the 27th fastest-growing occupation in the United States. Pursuing this profession requires a bachelor's degree, but some employers may prefer a master's degree.

Substance abuse counselors see individuals with addiction issues, such as alcoholism or drug addiction. Behavioral disorder professionals counsel clients with eating disorders and gambling addictions.

Roughly 48.7 million people ages 12 and above have actively used a substance, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. As a result, substance abuse and behavioral health counselors continue to be in demand.

• Projected Employment Increase 2022-2032: 18%
• Projected Change in Employment 2022-2032: 71,500
• Median Annual Salary: $49,710

2. Grief, Anger, Sexual Assault, and Other Types of Counselors

Grief, anger, and sexual assault counselors use therapeutic processes to help individuals heal. This career usually requires a master's degree. These counselors make up some of the 37,270 professionals, which the BLS classifies as "counselors, all other."

Grief counselors, also called bereavement counselors, directly counsel clients dealing with loss, using interventions and theories to help them through the stages of grief. They may work in hospice and palliative care or state family services.

Sexual assault counselors assess survivors of sexual assault. They build rapport and use techniques like cognitive behavior therapy and rational emotive behavior therapy to help clients improve their lives.

• Projected Employment Increase 2022-2032: 17.2%
• Projected Change in Employment 2022-2032: 11,700
• Median Annual Salary: $43,390

3. Marriage and Family Therapists and Counselors

Marriage and family therapists and counselors rank as the 44th fastest-growing career in the country. Beyond helping couples and addressing marital conflict, these counselors offer solution-focused treatment to families, married partners, and individuals. During sessions, counselors provide psychotherapy to address mental and emotional disorders. States require a license and a master's degree to become a marriage and family counselor.

In December 2023, the BLS reported about 71,200 marriage and family therapists and counselors working in the country. Work environments include individual and family services, health practitioner offices, outpatient care centers, and government agencies.

• Projected Employment Increase 2022-2032: 15%
• Projected Change in Employment 2022-2032: 10,600
• Median Annual Salary: $56,570

4. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

The BLS' Employment Projections Program ranks clinical and counseling psychologists as the 64th fastest-growing job nationwide. As the largest psychology specialty area, the field of clinical and counseling psychologists has a workforce of 62,880 as of May 2022. Licensure requires a doctoral degree and a one-year internship. However, you could work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist with only a master's degree.

Clinical and counseling psychologists use psychological evaluations to design individualized care plans. The post-pandemic era and a shift in attitudes towards mental health, particularly in schools and workplaces, could contribute to the increased demand for psychologists.

• Projected Employment Increase 2022-2032: 11%
• Projected Change in Employment 2022-2032: 7,700
• Median Annual Salary: $90,130

5. Psychiatric Technicians

Psychiatric technicians support people with mental or emotional conditions by accompanying them to appointments and meetings. They follow doctors' orders to administer medication and help patients perform routine tasks, such as bathing and making meals. While some employers require a bachelor's degree, you can become a psychiatric technician with only a postsecondary certificate.

In December 2022, the BLS reported 107,100 psychiatric technicians working in the United States. The increase in the older population will push for more job openings in this field. According to the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), the 65 and older population should increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million in 2050.

• Projected Employment Increase 2022-2032: 9.7%
• Projected Change in Employment 2022-2032: 10,400
• Median Annual Salary: $37,380

6. Social and Human Service Assistants

Social and human service assistants work in psychology, rehabilitation, and social work. A bachelor's degree in psychology or social sciences can help inform social and human service assistants in their work, but employers do not require a four-year degree. You can secure this position after high school and with some training.

The job requires helping people complete paperwork to apply for social benefits and other services. These professionals work with children, seniors, and people with addiction issues or disabilities. Demand for this occupation could increase as the number of people living with Alzheimer's disease is projected to increase from 6 million to 13 million by 2050, according to PRB.

• Projected Employment Increase 2022-2032: 9%
• Projected Change in Employment 2022-2032: 35,600
• Median Annual Salary: $38,520

7. Psychiatrists

Licensed psychiatrists use their medical and mental health expertise to offer a combination of psychotherapy and medication to treat individuals with mental disorders. They utilize a range of psychotherapy approaches, including psychoanalysis. Psychiatrists can work in private practice, hospitals, and courts and prisons, among other settings.

There are 26,500 psychiatrists working in the U.S. as of May 2022. About 8,700 psychiatrists work at physician offices. Data show that the demand for mental health treatment has only grown following the pandemic, possibly from increased stress due to social isolation.

• Projected Employment Increase 2022-2032: 6.7%
• Projected Change in Employment 2022-2032: 1,900
• Median Annual Salary: $226,880

8. Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Industrial-organizational psychologists use research and psychological theories and principles to solve problems in the workplace. They design studies to analyze the organizational culture and illustrate their findings using data visualizations. This role requires creating strategic workforce planning, development, and training programs that make workplaces run smoother.

Employers usually require that industrial-organizational psychologists hold a master's degree for entry-level positions. About 1,280 industrial-organizational psychologists work in the United States. Occupation growth could be fueled by increased awareness of mental health in the workplace following the pandemic.

• Projected Employment Increase 2022-2032: 6%
• Projected Change in Employment 2022-2032: 600
• Median Annual Salary: $139,280

9. Education, Guidance, School and Career Counselors and Advisors

Licensed counselors in schools and colleges offer support and programs for students facing academic, social, and behavioral challenges. School counselors create programs to improve student outcomes. They need a master's in school counseling or higher. Career counselors work with people to ensure they achieve their professional goals.

As of September 2023, the BLS reports that 342,400 people work as educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors. Occupations for school and career counselors could increase faster than other jobs from 2022-2032, welcome news for schools that have counselor-to-student ratios far above the recommendations by the American School Counselor Association. In fact, about 17% of high schools in the country have no school counselors at all.

• Projected Employment Increase 2022-2032: 5%
• Projected Change in Employment 2022-2032: 18,400
• Median Annual Salary: $60,140

10. Postsecondary Psychology Teachers

In May 2022, there were about 40,050 college psychology instructors working in the United States. They teach specialized undergraduate or graduate courses like child psychology and psychological counseling, as well as conduct research and publish academic papers. With a doctoral degree, you can work as an associate professor or professor, otherwise a master's degree qualifies you for an adjunct lecturer position.

Psychology ranks as one of the most popular majors in the country. Colleges awarded 134,407 bachelor's degrees, 32,270 master's degrees, and 6,969 doctoral degrees in psychology in 2021, according to the American Psychological Association.

• Projected Employment Increase 2022-2032: 5%
• Projected Change in Employment 2022-2032: 2,700
• Median Annual Salary: $78,810