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What Career and Salary Can I Have With a Bachelors Degree in Psychology?

Written by College Cliffs Team At CollegeCliffs.com, our team, comprising seasoned educators and counselors, is committed to supporting students on their journey through graduate studies. Our advisors, holding advanced degrees in diverse fields, provide tailored guidance, current program details, and pragmatic tips on navigating application procedures.

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Updated: April 9, 2024, Reading time: 7 minutes

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With a plethora of psychology subfields in the play today, it can be difficult to figure out what career and salary can I have with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Don’t worry, we’ve done some research and come up with several career options. So, let’s explore the jobs you can get with a psychology degree.

College Cliffs is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

What Career and Salary Can I Have With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology?

Psychology graduates have access to a myriad of career choices as people with a master’s or doctoral degree. However, those with a bachelor’s degree can find entry-level jobs to bag practical experience – a requirement for higher-level psychology positions. 

A woman assisting someone in a wheelchair

At first glance, these occupations may seem unrelated to the sector. However, getting a bachelor’s degree in psychology helps people learn skills that are useful in many jobs.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you could consider the following careers.

Career Counselor 

Average Salary: $46,156 per year

The role of a career counselor can be rewarding for those who take pleasure in assisting others in realizing their full potential. Assisting people in making career decisions, guiding those who are transitioning between jobs, or re-entering the workforce through vocational rehabilitation are common responsibilities of this position.

Some psychology majors find fulfilling careers assisting disabled persons with activities such as job searching, providing on-the-job training, and maintaining frequent monitoring in the workplace. 

Case Worker

Average Salary: $50,390 per year

A BS in psychology provides the scientific and cognitive grounding needed for entry-level social work jobs. For instance, caseworkers act as advocates for people by taking on their cases and helping them overcome unique obstacles, such as domestic violence. 

These individuals may receive daycare, healthcare, food stamps, or shelter from caseworkers. Caseworkers can also help people in crises by providing psychotherapy and support. Casework may be a good fit for psychology graduates who want to make a difference.

Mental Health Technician 

Average Salary: $36,230 per year 

A mental health technician typically works in a healthcare setting, providing assistance to people with mental illness with their everyday activities and necessities. Among a mental health technician’s typical responsibilities are monitoring the workplace and patients for signs of danger. Also, they assist patients with personal hygiene and meal preparation and coordinate treatment with other medical professionals.

With a psychology degree, you gain knowledge about mental health conditions and human behavior, making you well-equipped to assist psychiatric patients. Your understanding of patient needs and behavior can help in ensuring their safety, assisting with daily tasks, and providing compassionate care in a mental health care facility.

Two female professionals using laptops at a desk in a co-working space.

Human Resources Manager

Average Salary: $55,000-$100,000 per year

Organizations like businesses, schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and government offices rely on human resources (HR) managers to oversee administrative tasks. In addition to informing staff on administrative policies and decisions, they frequently conduct job applicant screenings. In addition, they are in charge of selecting and overseeing benefits such as retirement and health insurance programs.

Human resource managers assist both current workers and potential new hires in their daily interactions. Thus, individuals who completed a course in psychology and have an ability to understand human behavior and interpersonal communications are an ideal fit for HR positions.

Technical Writer

Average Salary: $45,000 – $95,000 per year

Technical writers can be employed by a corporation or work independently. They compose and revise a variety of documents, including user guides, articles, product support materials, how-to manuals, and more. In fact, they also offer guidance and support all the way through the creative process based on their position. 

A writer with a background in psychology can connect with their readers on a deeper level, understand them better, and write more compellingly.

Training or Development Specialist

Average Salary: $63,000 per year

Companies across economic sectors employ training and development experts to implement programs for their staff effectively. They are constantly in need of new programs and training that will improve the quality of life for their employees. 

A BS in psychology gives you a leg up when it comes to understanding how people function. It helps employees make positive behavioral changes and achieve success.

Probation and Parole Officer

Average Salary: $46,595 per year

One possible professional path for someone with an interest in criminal justice is that of a probation or parole officer. Probation and parole officials deal directly with formerly incarcerated individuals and are usually employed by the state or local government.

These experts keep tabs on offenders at home, at work, and in school, record their actions, report their findings to the courts, and collaborate with therapists and drug treatment centers.

With a background in psychology, you can excel in monitoring offenders and documenting their progress. You can also collaborate with therapists and contribute to the offender’s successful reintegration into society.

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Fundraiser

Average Salary: $40,000-$75,000 per year

People who work as fundraisers solicit financial support for various causes and institutions, including charities, political campaigns, and healthcare facilities. To achieve this goal, they meet with individual contributors, create promotional materials, and arrange events. Since their funding may come from anywhere, fundraisers need to be adaptable.

Fundraisers who study psychology can use their knowledge about how people think and make decisions to connect better with donors. They can make ads that catch attention and plan events that raise a lot of money. This helps organizations stay financially strong and reach their fundraising goals.

Market Research Analyst

Average Salary: $60,000-105,000 per year

A market research analyst’s job is to help businesses decide where to put their products and services on the market by studying things like industry trends, market share, and customer opinion. 

They learn about the products and services that consumers desire and the potential pricing they are ready to pay through conducting interviews and utilizing their data analysis skills.

A Bachelor of Science degree in psychology may not seem useful for a market research analyst, but understanding what drives customer behavior is important. This position is ideal if you’re studying psychology and also have a passion for entrepreneurship.

Public Relations Manager

Average Salary: $55,650 median salary per year

The role of a public relations manager is to inform the public about an organization’s position or stance. Distributing organization-sponsored press releases, fielding media inquiries, and providing strategic guidance on crisis management are part of the job description. 

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What Is the Ideal Job for a Student Pursuing a Degree in Psychology?

Undergraduate psychology students can work as research or teaching assistants. If planning to work post-degree, seek internships for field experience. You can mentor kids if education’s your interest, work in HR, or join retail for experience.

Can You Get a Job After Getting a BS in Psychology?

A bachelor of science degree in psychology offers many job prospects in the public and private sectors. According to the BLS, there are over 3.4 million psychology graduates working in the US. Some industries providing high-paying career positions are: 

Can a BS in Psychology Lead to a Good Career?

Yes. On average, there will be over 12,800 opportunities for psychologists per year within the next ten years. Graduates can choose from a wide variety of job choices that align with their needs. Students have the opportunity to choose areas of specialty that truly interest them. 

Conclusion

A bachelor’s in psychology opens several doors to high-paying jobs. These are various options for anyone wondering, “What career and salary can I have with a bachelor’s degree in psychology?”

So, while pursuing your BS in psychology, start with traineeships and internships to build your resume for higher positions later on.