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Field of degree: Psychology

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Psychology field of degree. Employment: 3,655,640. Median annual wage: $60,000.

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Table 1. Psychology degree, 2023
Data	Psychology	All fields
Employment	3,655,640	63,725,710
Median wage	60,000	70,000
Percent employed part time	19	15
Percent employed in occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree	62	62
Percent with an advanced degree	51	38
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

Chart 1. Types of psychology majors, 2023.

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Chart 1. Types of psychology, 2023
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, American Community Survey.

Chart 2. Employment distribution of workers with a psychology degree, by occupational group, 2023.

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Chart 2. Employment distribution of workers with a psychology degree, by occupational group, 2023
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
Business and financial operations occupations	10
Other	39
Note: The sum of percents by major may not total 100 due to rounding. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

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, 2023	Percent of this occupation with an advanced degree, 2023	Percent growth, projected 2024–34	Typical entry-level education
Elementary school teachers, except special education	4%	49%	-2%	Bachelor's degree
Managers, all other	3	21	4	Bachelor's degree
Social workers, all other	3	46	4	Bachelor's degree
Psychologists, all other	3	91	4	Master's degree
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary	3	74	17	Doctoral or professional degree
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors	2	59	4	Master's degree
Registered nurses	2	14	5	Bachelor's degree
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors	2	70	17	Master's degree
Therapists, all other	2	66	11	Bachelor's degree
Lawyers	2	91	4	Doctoral or professional degree
Note: Occupational profiles may comprise multiple SOC occupations, which may have differing education categories. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (projected growth, entry-level education) and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (degree holders, advanced degrees).

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 August 28, 2025).

Last Modified Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025