Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychologists are not actually psychologists. Instead, these social scientists utilize principles traditionally taught in psychology courses. The skills these professionals acquire in graduate programs effect change in their place of work.
I-O specialists write employee guidelines, conduct job candidate assessments, and train staff on the latest employee policies and procedures. By hiring or consulting an I-O psychologist, corporations increase profitability, retain employees, and run efficiently.
How much money do people make with a Master's of Industrial/Organizational Psychology degree?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) proves that Industrial-Organizational professionals have job security and impressive salaries. Yearly wages span from $52,950 to $184,380. The mean annual wage is $104,570. The field is still small, so new jobs total just 900.
I-O psychologists have the highest mean wage of all social science occupations including economists, clinical psychologists, and urban planners. Tucked away within reports issued by the BLS in 2013, we found that I-O psychologists have an estimated job growth of 53.4 percent between 2012 and 2022.
Several industries hire professionals in Industrial-Organizational psychology. Most work in scientific research and development (340 jobs). Consulting firms for management, technology, and science employ 270. Another 170 operate within state governments and schools from the elementary to graduate level.
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Surprisingly, almost all I-O specialists live in two states: Virginia and Massachusetts. In Virginia, 310 individuals earn an annual mean wage of $120,260. The 120 residing in Massachusetts report annual mean wages of $84,550. The cost of living factors into both figures.
The other population centers for I-O professionals are Pennsylvania, Missouri, and New Jersey. Annual mean wages span from $110,410 to $112,200. For now, students pursuing careers in the field should plan to search for employment in these five states.
What does an Industrial/Organizational Psychology field look like?
The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) explains the field as an applied science. Professionals usher in critical changes to improve employee wellbeing. For example, an I-O psychologist might implement anti-discrimination policy, analyze hierarchy and recommend restructuring, or provide executive coaching.
SIOP's website provides access to membership in its professional society as well as forums, webinars, conferences, and local chapters. Search the menu options for job links, internship opportunities, and research grants.
The American Psychological Association (APA) maps out the traditional educational trajectory for I-O psychologists. The recommended first step is a Bachelor's in Psychology. To land an entry-level job in the field, students need to continue into graduate school. A Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology remains the standard starting point for this career. Earning a PhD increases the chance of being hired but can be completed later.
The APA reports that starting salaries with Master's degrees equaled $65,000 in 2012. With a PhD, starting salaries averaged $81,000. In private industries, earnings exceeded $100,000. College professors in I-O psychology earned $70,000.
A report by US News describes Industrial-Organizational psychology as "a natural marriage between psychology and business." The site gives this career field a high ranking of second place for "Best Science Jobs." An expert in the field, Mark Poteet, recommends the PhD for work in academia, research, and scientific industries. U.S. News considers I-O psychology a field with average stress, normal work-life balance, and average potential for promotion.
What Are the Best Online Schools in Industrial-Organizational Psychology?
The ten colleges and universities profiled below exceeded our standards for Master's degree programs in I-O psychology. We factored in the net price to obtain a diploma, the length of the program, and return on investment. All of the programs provide courses fully or partially online. Data for the rankings comes from program materials, the National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS website, salary surveys, and media pages devoted to collegiate rankings. Each of the ten programs earned accreditation from a state board and/or regional commission. Students researching programs can trust these schools to deliver a solid foundation in I-O psychology. Make sure to look at our rankings for the Best Online Colleges and Universities.
Best Online Master's Programs for Organizational Psychology
See our rankings methodology page.
