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Behavioral Health

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

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.

Annual openings

4

Median wage

n/a

Typical education

Master's degree

Growth 2026–2032

+8%

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Master's degree

Credential requirement

No certification is required for this job.

Work experience

This does not require previous work experience; however, a person could work in a lower-level Behavioral Health role first. Many I/O Psychologists have previous experience in Business Operations, such as in Human Resources.

Employer competency information

  • The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) developed guidelines that include extensive information on job competencies such as Psychology (Individual Assessment, Human Performance, Job Analysis), Professional Skills (Communication, Business Writing, Teamwork and Social Perceptiveness, Critical and Analytical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making, etc.) and Occupational Health and Safety.
Examples of the types of roles filled by I/O Psychologists include the creation of organizational development programs and data analysis (statistics, research and data validation) jobs.
Some jobs value a Doctoral degree. The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) developed guidelines that includes education and employment distinctions between Master’s and Doctoral Level education. More information, such as yearly salary and employment reports, is available if you create a SIOP account.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerYes
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsNo

Interests it draws on

  • Business Support

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Provide advice on best practices and implementation for selection.
  2. Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs.
  3. Analyze data, using statistical methods and applications, to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of workplace programs.
  4. Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
  5. 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.
  6. Facilitate organizational development and change.
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