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.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
SOC: 19-3032 O*NET: 19-3032.00
Median Salary
$109,840
per year
Job Growth
📈 6.3%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Industrial-Organizational Psychologists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$51,880
10th percentile
Early Career
$80,790
25th percentile
Median
$109,840
50th percentile
Experienced
$198,170
75th percentile
Top Earners
$224,590
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$51,880
25th
$80,790
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$109,840
Mean: $134,400
75th
$198,170
90th
$224,590
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $172,710 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $80,790 and $198,170
- •Salary spread is 106.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 1,050 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:5,600
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services82.9%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services82.9%
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services54.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+6.3%
Annual Openings:400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)5,600
Current
2034 (Projected)5,900
+6.3%
+300
Employment Change
+6.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Industrial-Organizational Psychologists professionals work across the United States
Showing 3 of 3 locations
California
100 jobs$140,5400.77x
Oregon
80 jobs$94,1805.77x
Texas
0 jobs$130,6300.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Writing
86%
#4
Judgment and Decision Making
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Systems Evaluation
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Systems Evaluation
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Systems Evaluation
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Financial Examiners100%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Audiologists82%
5 shared skills
Web Administrators82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Systems Evaluation
- →Speaking
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visio
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Sheets
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
Microsoft Access
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Oracle PeopleSoft
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Project
Google Sheets
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (5)Analysis & Evaluation (5)General Responsibilities (9)Management & Supervision (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Analyze job requirements and content to establish criteria for classification, selection, training, and other related personnel functions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Write reports on research findings and implications to contribute to general knowledge or to suggest potential changes in organizational functioning.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Advise management concerning personnel, managerial, and marketing policies and practices and their potential effects on organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Identify training and development needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Conduct research studies of physical work environments, organizational structures, communication systems, group interactions, morale, or motivation to assess organizational functioning.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Formulate and implement training programs, applying principles of learning and individual differences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Assess employee performance.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists professionals typically have a IES Holland code and highly value working conditions
IInvestigative
EEnterprising
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.69
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.65
Initiative
CriticalInitiative
Importance Level4.54
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.42
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.38
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.38
Complete Work Styles Profile
Analytical Thinking
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Initiative
4.5
Dependability
4.4
Achievement/Effort
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.4
Persistence
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Independence
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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