Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
SOC code 19-3032 · O*NET-SOC 19-3032.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$193,950
a year
Hourly
$93.24
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$170,230
$81.84 per hour
Middle 50%
$107,310 – $222,280
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$79,010 – $247,220
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
790
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $79,010
- $37.99/hr
- 25th percentile
- $107,310
- $51.59/hr
- Median percentile
- $193,950
- $93.24/hr
- 75th percentile
- $222,280
- $106.86/hr
- 90th percentile
- $247,220
- $118.86/hr
What does an industrial-organizational psychologist do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become an industrial-organizational psychologist
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 58% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree58%
- Doctoral Degree31%
- Some College Courses4%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4%
Common questions
How much does an industrial-organizational psychologist earn?
The national median is $193,950 a year. The full range runs from $79,010 at the 10th percentile to $247,220 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an industrial-organizational psychologist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.4/5
- Active Listening4.4/5
- Writing4.3/5
- Speaking4.1/5
- Critical Thinking4.1/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Personnel and Human Resources4.9/5
- Psychology4.8/5
- Education and Training4.5/5
- Administration and Management4.0/5
- Mathematics4.0/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- Law and Government3.4/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Systems Evaluation.