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Science

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
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Median pay

$109,840
Median annual pay for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

6.3%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

400
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

5,600
Estimated U.S. employment for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Master's degree
Typical additional preparation: Internship/residency.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Reading Comprehension
  3. 3Writing
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Personnel and Human Resources
  2. 2Psychology
  3. 3Education and Training
  4. 4Administration and Management
  5. 5Mathematics
  6. 6English Language

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Written Comprehension
  3. 3Oral Comprehension
  4. 4Written Expression
  5. 5Deductive Reasoning
  6. 6Inductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Investigative
  2. 2Enterprising
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Realistic

Work styles

  1. 1Intellectual Curiosity
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Achievement Orientation
  4. 4Innovation
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Adaptability

Work activities

  1. 1Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  4. 4Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  5. 5Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  6. 6Analyzing Data or Information

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  4. 4Telephone Conversations
  5. 5Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  6. 6Freedom to Make Decisions

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Adobe Acrobat · hot technologySAS · hot technologyOracle PeopleSoft · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Project · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Visio · hot technologyIBM SPSS Statistics · hot technologyHypertext markup language HTML · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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