Salary and Training for Experimental Psychologists

Salary and Training for Experimental Psychologists Student Resources Careers Print Salary and Training for Experimental Psychologists By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on September 23, 2019 Matt Lincoln/Cultura Exclusive/Getty Images More in Student Resources Careers APA Style and Writing Study Guides and Tips Experimental psychologists study an enormous range of topics within psychology, including both human and animal behavior. Do you enjoy researching human behavior? If you have a passion for solving problems or exploring theoretical questions, you might be interested  in a career as an experimental psychologist. If you have ever wanted to learn more about what experimental psychologists do, this career profile can answer some of your basic questions and help you decide if you wish to explore this specialty area in greater depth. What Experimental Psychologists Do An experimental psychologist is a type of psychologist who uses scientific methods to collect data and perform research. Experimental psychologists explore an immense variety of psychological phenomena, ranging from learning to personality to cognitive processes. The exact type of research an experimental psychologist performs depends  upon  a number of factors including his or her educational background, interests, and area of employment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, experimental psychologists often work for universities, government agencies, private research centers, and nonprofit organizations. While they often study the human mind and behavior, they may study animal behaviors as well. Some key areas of interest within experimental psychology include memory, learning, attention, sensation and perception, and how the brain influences behavior. Work Environment Experimental psychologists work in a wide variety of settings including colleges, universities, research centers, government, and private businesses. Some of these professionals focus on teaching experimental methods to students while others conduct research on cognitive processes, animal behavior, neuroscience, personality, and many other subject areas. Those who work in academic settings often teach psychology courses in addition to performing research and publishing their findings in professional journals. Other experimental psychologists  work with businesses to discover ways to make employees more productive or to create a safer workplace in specialty areas such as industrial-organizational psychology and human factors psychology. Education and Training Programs in experimental psychology are designed to train students to design studies, conduct empirical research,  and understand ethical issues in research. Typically, experimental psychologists need at minimum a masters degree in general or experimental psychology. For those interested in working at a university, a doctorate-level degree in psychology is usually  required. It is important to remember that you do not  necessarily have to earn a degree in experimental psychology in order to work as an experimental psychologist. Doctorate programs in psychology provide rigorous training in research design and experimental methods. Applied specialty areas such as human factors psychology and industrial-organizational psychology often have a very strong research focus, and professionals who work in these fields often make experimentation and research the major focus of their careers. How to Choose the Right Psychology Graduate Program Salary The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual wage for psychologists working at college, universities,  and professional schools was $62,490 for 2014. PayScale.com states that the salary for experimental psychologists ranges between a low of $29,773  to a high of $80,389  depending upon education, experience, geographic location,  and sector of employment. Job Outlook According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, the job outlook for psychologists  is projected to grow by 19 percent through the year 2024.  Individuals with a doctorate, especially those in applied specialty or professional areas, are expected to find the greatest job prospects. Is a Career in Experimental Psychology Right For You? Experimental psychologists not only need to have an excellent understanding of psychology research methods, but they also need to have outstanding organizational and communication skills. In many cases, jobs in this field include a range of duties outside of conducting research. You may also need to obtain funding, maintain careful records, collaborate with peers,  and present the findings  of your research to outside groups. The ability to write well is  also important since you might be writing up the results of your research for publication in professional and academic journals. A quiz may help you determine if a career in experimental psychology is right for you.