Though the number of Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists in the U.S. is small (currently just over 1,000), I-O is one of the fastest growing and highest paying fields in the nation.
Annual Salaries of Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
The I-O Psyhcologist national mean salary is $104,570, which is 110% higher than the avg mean wage for All Occupations listed in the BLS and 10-33% higher than average mean wages for all other Psychology careers listed in the BLS.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2016 data), the median wage for industrial-organizational psychologists is $39.79 per hour and $82,760 per year. The lower 10th percentile median annual wage is $52,950 annually and upper 90th percentile is $184,380.
As is the case with most jobs, salary figures will vary depending on what part of the country you live in, your level of education, and years of work experience.
Highest-paying Locations
In an infographic published by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) it showed that many of its members working in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN ($132K); Los Angeles/Orange Co., CA ($127K); and San Francisco/San Jose, CA ($123K) are among the top-earning industrial-organizational psychologists in the industry. This is closely followed by New York Metro ($122K), Seattle, WA ($120K), Detroit, MI Metro Area ($114.K), and Dallas, TX ($113K).
Top 5 Industries
According to this same study by SIOP, I-O psychologists working in consulting organizations ($120K) and the private sector organizations ($115K) are some of the highest paid in the country. Next come university or college professionals ($101K), government employees ($100K), and not-for-profit organization professionals ($94K).
Salaries by Popular Job Title
The following are annual median salaries for industrial-organizational psychologists by BLS job title.
| Occupation | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|
| Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities | $118,760 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $117,880 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $111,180 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $102,090 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $94,240 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership Only | $87,060 |
| Cross-industry, Private, Federal, State, and Local Government | $82,760 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $78,590 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $77,850 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government | $77,680 |
| State Government, including schools and hospitals | $76,460 |
| State Government, excluding schools and hospitals | $75,950 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including government owned schools and hospitals | $71,680 |
| Educational Services – Privately owned | $63,640 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $61,920 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools – Privately owned | $61,640 |
| Educational Services | $60,690 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | $55,940 |
| Educational Services – Local government owned | $55,620 |
Salaries by Education Attainment
The SIOP report shows that starting incomes for Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists vary quite dramatically by education qualifications. The following are typical average mean salaries for I-O specialists based on education attainment.
- Entry-level for Master's graduate – $78,134
- Entry-level for PhD graduate – $95,658
Salary Increases by Years of Experience
Annaul salaries tend to increase with each year of added work experience – $2,900 each year for master’s degree holders and $3,000 each year for doctorate.
Salary by Gender
The salaries for industrial-organizational psychologists vary by gender in 2015 as shown below. Median income levels have increased at an average yearly rate of 2.98% for men and 3.29% for women.
- Women – $104,750
- Men – $116,779
An interesting side-note is that the ratio of female to male I-O psychologists grew between 1982 to 2015 from 81.4% to 89.7%.
Sources
Featured Industrial Psychology Programs
Request Info | Kaplan University Whether you’re looking to change or advance your career, Kaplan University will help you get there faster. Online flexibility, reduced costs, financial aid assistance, and a quicker path to your degree make Kaplan University a smart choice for working adults. Learn More > |
Request Info | Grand Canyon University (GCU) With a spotlight on intellectual creativity and innovation for the 21stcentury, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at GCU provides a job focused education. It blends the study of traditional humanities in a modern context. Through academic inquiry and beyond the box thinking, the college advances our society and its accomplishments. Learn More > |
Request Info | Northcentral University Northcentral University (NCU) was founded to provide accessible, high-quality, online graduate degrees to working professionals. As a regionally accredited, online university, NCU serves students worldwide, focusing on Doctoral and Master's degree programs in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, Psychology, and Marriage and Family Sciences. Learn More > |
Request Info | Colorado Technical University (CTU) CTU could help you connect to what matters most: a powerful professional community, faculty who are real-world professionals, and innovative technology. Learn More > |
Request Info | University of the Rockies University of the Rockies provides high-quality, accessible learning opportunities globally for diverse groups of individuals seeking preparation for life goals, professional practice, service, and distinguished leadership. Learn More > |