Research Psychology
Psychology · federal classification: Research and Experimental Psychology
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $53,337 | $45,050 to $63,514 | 103 | 91% |
| Master's Degree | $62,644 | $56,944 to $73,740 | 16 | 100% |
| Doctoral Degree | $104,386 | $99,962 to $116,576 | 6 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +4% (2024 to 2034), about 203,900 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $136,550 | +4.5% | 106,700 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $58,570 | +3.4% | 35,100 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $105,620 | +17.3% | 27,400 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $100,590 | +8.7% | 9,600 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $58,040 | +4.4% | 5,200 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $95,830 | +11.2% | 4,800 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.