It might seem overwhelming for psychology majors to choose among several types of psychology careers. Many people believe that there are limited jobs available for a person with a mere bachelor’s degree in psychology. However, this is merely a hoax. Numerous job opportunities are available in diverse areas of the public sector, and this article will expose the 10 Government Jobs With a Degree in Psychology.
Overview of the Role of a Psychologist
The core aim of a psychologist is to promote psychological well-being in humans and reduce distress. Psychologists research and identify different behavioral patterns in humans and help them deal with them.
Furthermore, psychologists study and observe individuals to know more about mental health conditions. For every condition detected, psychologists devise treatment plans and share them with the clients. Finally, they can write reports and articles to share their findings. They publish their findings so others can read their theories, study the results, and learn from them.
These roles are inexhaustible; they still carry out many duties for the client’s and society’s betterment.
Skill a Psychologist Seeking Government Jobs Must Possess
Certain essential qualities make you a good psychologist. There are critical skills that every psychologist seeking government jobs must possess and these skills are essential for you to be able to get one of the highest paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
- Communication skill:
Communication is one of the most critical skills every psychologist must possess. Psychologists should be able to interact efficiently both verbally and in written form. Securing a Government job as a psychologist requires this.
- Patience:
Patience is another essential quality of a psychologist. Psychologists will encounter clients with multiple personalities, temperaments, and behaviors, and patience is necessary to become satisfied.
- Problem-solving skills:
Every psychologist must be able to solve problems immediately after they arrive. Most clients who come to them believe they have the power to solve their problems. If they can’t, the clients end up feeling disappointed.
- Empathy:
Being empathetic improves a psychologist’s communication with clients. Empathy is a necessary skill that a psychologist must possess.
Rate of Demand of Government Jobs With Degree in Psychology.
There are diverse agencies under the federal government that employ psychologists. A survey shows that psychology will be projected to increase by 8 percent between 2020-2030. The research further shows that psychologists receive an annual median salary of $105,780. Further survey has shown that the field of psychology will grow by about 15% over the next ten years. I’m the next paragraph, this article will discuss the diverse government jobs with degree in psychology.
List of Government Jobs With Degree in Psychology
There are thousands of government jobs with degree in psychology. Here are ten(10) high-paying jobs for psychology majors that anyone might want to jump into.
- Assistant behavioral researcher
- Veteran health administrator
- Rehabilitation Specialist
- Program Specialist
- Army mental health specialist
- Administration of aging
- Industrial psychologist
- Clinical psychologist
- Public health analyst
- Intelligence analyst
1. Assistant Behavioral Researcher – National Institute of Health:
An assistant behavioral scientist is a professional who studies why an individual exhibits specific behavior. It combines quantitative and qualitative methods to understand human and social behavior. These professionals also adopt classes that are focused on human behaviors. Furthermore, they focus on how these behaviors relate to human mental health, considering how a healthy lifestyle can be promoted. They receive an annual average salary of $49,137 – $62,000.
2. Veteran Health Administrator – Department of Veteran Affairs:
Veteran Health Administrator is an agency of the government that administers health care and cemetery services to veteran armed forces. Currently, the United States military divides protected veterans into four subgroups: Disabled, Recently separated, Campaign Badge, and Armed forces service medal veterans. In the United States, this department employs the greatest number of psychologists providing over 800+ Outpatient Clinics to make access to health care seamless. It is committed to hiring 1,000+ psychologists. Getting a government job with degree in psychology as a Veteran Health Administrator(VHA) yields great productivity. The average annual salary is $79,487-$145,079.
3. Rehabilitation Specialist:
The Bureau of Prisons ensures that federal offenders serve their sentences in humane, and safe facilities. Furthermore, they make available programs that reshape the mental health of prisoners. This is to ensure that they can successfully blend in when they return to the community. This department is under the Department of Justice. They also provide work and opportunities to assist offenders while in prison. A correctional psychologist helps prisoners to develop qualities needed to lead an everyday life, majorly for rehabilitation. The average salary of a correctional psychologist is $86,700-$131,283.
4. Global Community Liason Officer(GLCO) – Department of State
The Global Community Liaison Office was established to improve foreign service employees’ lives. It serves employees and family members from the Department of State and supports evacuees. The mission of all those who work with the global community liaison office is to identify issues reducing demographics’ quality of life and advocate for programs and solutions. The average annual salary of a global community liaison officer is $45,484-$75,793.
5. Army Mental Health Specialist:
As a psychologist graduates, there are lots of opportunities available in the military sector, and one of those government jobs that one can acquire with a bachelor’s degree is a Mental Health Specialist position. It is incontestable that military personnel pass through thousands of traumas associated with active duty. This is why the military deems it necessary to employ professionals who can handle mental and emotional issues. They treat military personnel suffering from various mental illnesses. These soldiers are treated both as inpatients and outpatients. A mental health specialist receives an annual average salary of $57,884-$97,000.
6. Elder Care Information Specialist/Administration on Aging – Department of Health and Human Services:
This agency is designated to carry out the duties of providing and improving the elderly’s standard of living. The agency carries out the provision of the ‘Older American Act of 1965’ (as amended). The Act empowers the government to be involved in the financial help of elders and distribution to states to support individuals over the age of 60. Furthermore, the elder care information specialist researches diverse aging issues and improves on them. They ensure that the living standard of elders is adequately catered for. They receive an annual average salary of $51,519-$161,657 annually.
7. Industrial Psychologist:
Industrial psychologists are professionals who use their understanding of psychology to understand workplace productivity and efficiency. These professionals assist in policy planning, organizational development, and employee screening/training. They help shape the future of the workspace and support employees’ mental health within the organization. The average annual salary of an industrial psychologist is $90,081-$160,180. This position requires a master’s degree, but one can apply for government jobs with a degree in psychology.
8. Clinical Psychologist:
A clinical psychologist working in the government sector is saddled with the responsibility of providing clinical intervention and offering consultation on the organization. They also train officers through their career and work opportunities, including both domestic and overseas support for clinical activities. They receive an average annual salary of $80,769-$161,369. Although this qualification is mainly for those with Ph.D., a professional with a bachelor’s degree can also take it up and acquire the content knowledge for clinical works.
9. Public Health Analyst:
They are professionals who analyze the programs and policies that affect the state of public health to evaluate their effectiveness. They work on issues that relate to environmental hazards, substance abuse, and violence, to mention a few. After evaluating the effectiveness of the programs, they identify areas that are lacking and proffer recommendations. A public health analyst receives an annual average salary of $94,904-$124,202.
10. Intelligence Analyst/Research Psychologist:
This group is under the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). They work to collect intelligence information through research to maintain the security of United States citizens. These professionals elicit client needs, design, conduct, and report all the findings from their research in a way that secures individuals. They receive an annual average salary of $65,132 – $98,974.
Conclusion
The highest employers of psychologists at the government level is the federal government. Multiple agencies under the federal government pursue various objectives, missions, and agendas.
With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, professionals can land good jobs with a conducive work environment and competitive salaries.
FAQs On Government Jobs With a Degree in Psychology
Is a psychologist also a therapist?
No, they’re different.
Is the job of a psychologist in high demand in the United States?
Without mincing words, the job of a psychologist is in high demand. The report by the U.S. Department of Labor shows that the field of psychology will grow by about 12% in 10 years.
How many community-based outpatient clinics are available in Veteran affairs?
There are over 800+ community-based outpatient clinics to make access to health care easier.
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