Science
Industrial-organizational psychologist
Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.
Median pay
$193,950
Growth to 2035
+7%
faster than average
Openings a year
300
Time to qualify*
4 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Industrial-organizational psychologist
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to industrial-organizational psychologist
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Industrial-organizational psychologist: 65% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Provide advice on best practices and implementation for selection.
- Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs.
- Analyze data, using statistical methods and applications, to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of workplace programs.
- Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
- Observe and interview workers to obtain information about the physical, mental, and educational requirements of jobs, as well as information about aspects such as job satisfaction.
- Facilitate organizational development and change.
- Analyze job requirements and content to establish criteria for classification, selection, training, and other related personnel functions.
- Advise management concerning personnel, managerial, and marketing policies and practices and their potential effects on organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
Also called: Consulting Psychologist · I-O Practitioner (Industrial-Organizational Practitioner) · I-O Psychologist (Industrial-Organizational Psychologist) · Industrial Psychologist · Management Consultant · Organizational Consultant · Organizational Development Specialist (OD Specialist) · Organizational Psychologist
Outlook and AI
Industrial-organizational psychologists held 4,000 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 4,300 by 2035 (+7%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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