These Are the Fastest Growing Jobs in Psychology in 2025

The BLS lists substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors as the 21st fastest-growing occupation in the U.S. These professionals help their clients recover from conditions such as addiction, anxiety, and depression. Counselors develop treatment plans that include recommended behaviors and skills for recovery. They also refer clients to outside resources and services, such as job placement agencies and support groups.

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, psychology, or a related major to enter the field. Substance use counselors may need certification to practice, while all states require a professional license for mental health counseling practice. In many states, you’ll need a master’s degree in counseling or counseling psychology for licensure.

The BLS lists psychiatric technicians as the 29th fastest-growing occupation. Psychiatric technicians provide monitoring and therapeutic care to patients with emotional or mental conditions and developmental disabilities. These technicians check vital signs, oversee medications, and help patients with their daily activities.

Psychiatric technicians need a high school diploma and a postsecondary certificate from a community college or technical school. Certificate programs teach basic nursing skills and may include courses in anatomy, pharmacology, and psychology, along with supervised clinical training. Some states require licensure for technicians.

Employers may prefer to hire psychiatric technicians with an associate or a bachelor’s degree.

Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) rank 36th among the nation’s fastest-growing occupations. The BLS includes child and family counselors, family therapists, marriage therapists, and relationship counselors in this occupation.

MFTs help couples, families, and individuals experiencing difficulties related to family systems. Treatment focuses on family dynamics but may also address individual issues, such as addiction and low self-esteem, that affect relationships. MFTs may use techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy to change thoughts and behaviors.

MFTs must hold master’s degrees in marriage and family therapy, psychology, or a related field. All U.S. states require a license to practice.

Included in the BLS’s “Counselors, All Other” category, these professions help comprise the 44th fastest-growing occupation. Grief, anger, sexual assault, and other counselors in this career area specialize in helping their clients through traumatic events. They may work specifically with children, adults, or the elderly. They may assist the victims or those struggling with anger or violence issues.

You’ll need at least a counseling-related bachelor’s degree and, likely, a master’s degree to become a counselor in this field. You may use clinical counseling methods, including talk therapy and other therapeutic interventions. You’ll also need a license to work in private practice. Your state laws dictate the requirements.

Clinical and counseling psychologists are the 50th fastest-growing occupation in the U.S. Their jobs involve assessing, diagnosing, and treating behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders. They use psychotherapy to help individuals, families, and groups manage everyday problems and severe chronic conditions.

Specialization is common in this field in either a patient population, such as older adults or children and teens, or specific conditions, including eating disorders, PTSD, and addictions. Clinical and counseling psychologists need a doctoral degree in psychology and must hold a state license. Psychologists complete doctoral education in psychology and undergo extensive clinical training.

Mental health and substance use social workers are the 63rd fastest-growing U.S. occupation. The BLS includes community mental health social workers, psychiatric social workers, and psychotherapist social workers in this employment category. Their jobs center on helping people cope with mental illness and addictions. They also connect clients with support groups, 12-step programs, and other resources.

Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) in this profession can diagnose and treat clients with therapy and behavioral modification strategies. They may also collaborate with other healthcare workers on developing treatment plans.

A bachelor’s degree in social work allows entry into this career, but LCSWs need a master’s degree and state license. Depending on the state, non-clinical social work may also require a license.

Healthcare social work ranks 93rd among the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. Job titles include AIDS social worker, hospice social worker, hospital social worker, and medical social worker. Healthcare social workers help patients understand their medical diagnoses, transition back home after being in the hospital, and find support groups or home healthcare. They also help medical staff understand the mental health effects of illness and diseases.

You can enter this career with a bachelor of social work (BSW). State licensure requirements vary, with some requiring licensure for non-clinical social work. Some states license at the bachelor’s level and others at the master’s level.

Social and human service assistants assist social workers and other social service professionals. They research and coordinate services, such as food stamps and other public assistance, and help clients with daily activities and applications for assistance programs.

Specific job titles include addictions counselor assistant, casework aide, family service assistant, and social work assistant. These professionals may work with families, older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness.

The minimum requirements for this career include a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Some employers look for candidates with a certificate or an associate degree in human services or behavioral science. Licensure is not required.

The BLS includes psychiatrists among physicians and surgeons and lists the following potential job titles: addiction psychiatrist, clinical psychiatrist, forensic psychiatrist, and geriatric psychiatrist. As primary mental health physicians, psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental disorders. They employ treatment methods that include hospitalization, medication, psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis.

To become a psychiatrist, you’ll need a four-year bachelor’s degree and a medical degree, which takes an additional four years to earn. You may also spend another 3-9 years completing internships and residencies. All U.S. states require psychiatrists to hold a license from their state medical board.

Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists use psychology to address workplace issues and improve employees’ work-life quality. They work with company executives, managers, and training and development specialists on employee testing and selection, improving productivity, and enhancing organizational dynamics.

The BLS lists job titles that include engineering psychologist, HR psychologist, management psychologist, and personnel research psychologist. These professionals typically hold master’s degrees in I-O psychology and take classes in research design, statistics, and workplace relationships.

State laws vary on whether they require I-O psychologists to be licensed. Jurisdictions that do mandate licensure list doctoral degrees and supervised training among the criteria.

The BLS’ “Social Workers, All Other” category includes social workers specializing in adult protective services, criminal justice, and forensic social work. Adult protective services social workers help aging and vulnerable adults in danger of being abused, neglected, or exploited.

Forensic and criminal justice social workers assist people affected by crime and legal issues. They work in community agencies, courts, and prisons, providing advocacy, case management, and counseling. They also serve as expert witnesses in court.

You will likely need a master of social work (MSW) and a state license to enter these professions. Some states may also require specialty certification to become a forensic social worker.

The BLS’s “Psychologist, All Other” occupational category includes developmental psychologists, experimental psychologists, forensic psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychotherapists, rehabilitation psychologists, social psychologists, and sports psychologists.

These professionals may work directly with clients and provide psychotherapy and rehabilitation services. Some work with athletes on issues with sports performance. Forensic psychologists work with the legal and criminal justice systems. These psychologists may also conduct research into neuropsychology or experimental psychology.

To use the title of psychologist and practice independently, you’ll need a license. Licensure requires a doctorate and post-graduate supervised training. Many research positions, particularly in academia, require a Ph.D.

Postsecondary psychology teachers work at colleges and universities, educating students. Those trained to become professors may also conduct research. Specialization is common at the university level in areas such as applied psychology, child development, and clinical psychology.

Postsecondary teachers typically develop instructional plans and teach classes. Professors may also apply for grant funding, publish original research, and supervise graduate teaching assistants.

Community college instructors may only need a master’s degree, but university professors must hold a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in psychology. Licensure is generally not required for postsecondary teaching.

Child and family social workers assist families and protect children. They help parents find child care and housing and apply for services like food stamps and Medicaid. They also intervene in cases of child abuse and neglect. Some professionals assist with adoptions, foster care, and family reunification.

School social workers help K-12 students with their academic and social development and deal with issues like bullying and peer pressure. They also assist families with special education resources and frequent absences from school.

Child, family, and school social workers may also be LCSWs with master’s degrees and state licenses. Non-clinical social workers in this profession may need a certificate or license, depending on their state law.

Job titles within this category include admissions counselor, career counselor, and guidance counselor. These counselors help adults and students with academic and social issues, college admissions, and vocational and career advice.

School counselors work with K-12 students, teachers, and parents. College advisors assist students with applying to college, choosing a major, and securing financial aid. Vocational and career counselors resolve workplace issues and support job transitions and career changes.

Most states require public school counselors to earn a master’s degree and a state-issued license or certification. Employers may prefer or require a teaching credential or classroom experience. State laws vary on licensure requirements for career and vocational counselors, but candidates need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the profession.