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Field of degree: Psychology

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Psychology field of degree. Employment: 3,776,560. Median annual wage: $60,000.

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Table 1. Psychology degree, 2024
Data	Psychology	All fields
Employment	3,776,560	65,886,610
Median wage	60,000	73,000
Percent employed part time	20	15
Percent employed in occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree	61	61
Percent with an advanced degree	50	39
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Chart 1. Types of psychology majors, 2024.

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Chart 1. Types of psychology, 2024
Psychology majors	Major share
Psychology	92
Counseling Psychology	2
Miscellaneous Psychology	2
Clinical Psychology	1
Industrial And Organizational Psychology	1
Other	1
Note: The sum of percents by major may not total 100 due to rounding. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Chart 2. Employment distribution of workers with a psychology degree, by occupational group, 2024.

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Chart 2. Employment distribution of workers with a psychology degree, by occupational group, 2024
Occupational group	Occupational group share
Management occupations	15
Community and social service occupations	13
Educational instruction and library occupations	12
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations	11
Office and administrative support occupations	9
Other	40
Note: The sum of percents by major may not total 100 due to rounding. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Table 2. Top-employing occupations for workers with a psychology degree.

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Table 2. Top-employing occupations for workers with a psychology degree
Occupation	Percent degree holders in this field, this occupation, 2024	Percent of this occupation with an advanced degree, 2024	Percent growth, projected 2025–35	Typical entry-level education
Elementary school teachers, except special education	4	50	0	Bachelor's degree
Managers, all other	4	22	5	Bachelor's degree
Psychologists, all other	3	89	2	Master's degree
Social workers, all other	3	46	2	Bachelor's degree
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors	2	60	3	Master's degree
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary	2	75	18	Doctoral or professional degree
Lawyers	2	91	5	Doctoral or professional degree
Registered nurses	2	14	6	Bachelor's degree
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors	2	74	18	Master's degree
Therapists, all other	2	65	13	Bachelor's degree
Note: Occupational profiles may comprise multiple SOC occupations, which may have differing education categories. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau.

Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Field of degree: Psychology,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/psychology/psychology-field-of-degree.htm (visited October 29, 2026).

Last modified date: October 29, 2026