Not sure what to study after high school? Consider a bachelor’s degree in Psychology to both help you navigate the intricacies of the human brain and position you for a wide range of career options.
In fact, a majority of graduates with a bachelor’s in Psychology find successful roles in various fields outside of traditional psychology roles. Whether your interests lie in education, law enforcement, or STEM, a BS in Psychology can open the doors to a bunch of high-paying career paths.
Why choose a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
A bachelor’s degree in Psychology offers graduates a range of diverse and varied career options. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), a majority of graduates with a bachelor’s in Psychology find successful roles in other fields.
There are a large number of career paths and high-paying roles available with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology outside of a traditional psychologist role. Depending on your skills and interests, a BS in Psychology could prepare you for careers in education, law enforcement, or even STEM fields.
Overview of the psychology field
So, what is psychology? Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. It encompasses many other fields, including human development, sports, health, clinical, social behavior, and cognitive processes. As you can tell, it’s a very diverse field, allowing graduates to apply their knowledge in various industries, making it a valuable degree in today’s job market.
Jobs with a Bachelor’s in Psychology
Enough talk. Let’s dive into the top jobs you can get with a bachelor’s in Psychology.
1. School Faculty
$63,670 median salary per year
Having a Psychology degree can help you work in various school settings, from infant centers to community colleges, since a background in psychology can help you connect with students. Preschool teachers, for example, guide infants and toddlers through the early stages of development, processing and naming their emotions. At the same time, career counselors at high schools assist teenagers in planning and preparing for life after graduation.
Educational career paths involve connecting with students, examining human behaviors, assessing student progress, and helping find positive means of learning – all skills that are fundamental to psychology. As a result, a bachelor’s in Psychology can serve as a great stepping stone into education – providing the skills and knowledge needed to connect with children, and positioning graduates for a master’s in Education down the line.
2. Caseworker
$58,380 median salary per year
If you’re passionate about helping people, consider becoming a caseworker. A BS in Psychology offers the scientific background needed for positions within the social work system. Caseworkers advocate for individuals facing specific challenges. They aim to provide resources such as childcare, healthcare, and shelter. Case workers may also respond to crisis situations, provide psychotherapy services, and simply offer support to those in need. If you want to make a difference with your Psychology degree, a career in casework may be for you.
3. Market Research Analyst
$74,680 median salary per year
Perhaps you’re more business-minded. Market research analysts study industry conditions, market position, and consumer sentiment to drive company decisions regarding the placement of goods and services in the marketplace. They conduct interviews and have expertise in analyzing data that allows them to understand what types of goods and services customers want and what prices they may be willing to pay.
A BS in Psychology provides unique insight into consumer behavior, making it a valuable asset in this career. If you are interested in business alongside your Psychology degree, this might be the perfect job for you.
4. Human Resources Manager
$136,350 median salary per year
Human resources (HR) managers are responsible for directing administrative functions within an organization such as a business, school, hospital, nonprofit, or government office. They often screen applicants for open jobs and inform employees of administrative policies and decisions. Plus, they are responsible for choosing and administering benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.
HR managers work directly with employees and job applicants. Thus, a keen understanding of interpersonal communications and human behavior, provided by a bachelor’s in Psychology, is crucial.
5. Training or Development Specialist
$64,340 median salary per year
Training and development professionals administer programs to employees of companies in all sectors of the economy. Companies are always looking for programs and trainings that will help their workforce live happier, more productive, and high-achieving lives. Understanding how people work, skills gained through your BS in Psychology, allows you an advantage when helping employees change behaviors and succeed.
6. Technical Writer
$80,050 median salary per year
Freelance and company-employed technical writers write and edit a myriad of materials such as user manuals, product support information, how-to guides, articles, and more. In fact, depending on the role, they may also be responsible for assisting and advising throughout the creation process. Having a background in Psychology allows writers to understand their audience more closely, relate more strongly, and build connections more easily.
7. Real estate agent
$56,620 median salary per year
Another high-paying job available with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology is a real estate agent.
Real estate agents are professionals responsible for selling and buying homes. They advise seller clients on idea pricing and buyer clients on which neighborhoods may be the best investment.
Real estate agents must understand what drives people in their decision-making. This understanding of how people work allows agents to provide clients with the best possible advice and even assist clients in writing tailored listings for their properties.
Because psychology is the study of human behavior, real estate agents with a Psychology degree will be uniquely positioned when pitching homes to their clients.
8. Computer Programmer
$99,700 median salary per year
Perhaps the most technical role on this list, computer programmers are responsible for writing the complicated code that–in layman’s terms–tells computers, internet browsers, and other devices what to do. These individuals write, test, implement, and maintain the code that allows our applications and programs to function properly.
While this career obviously needs professionals with high technical skills, computer programmers can also achieve a high level of fulfillment when developing applications based on their understanding of human nature provided by a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
9. Fundraiser
$64,160 median salary per year
Fundraisers are responsible for securing donations to organizations, such as nonprofits, political campaigns, or hospitals. They do this by organizing events, producing promotional materials, and meeting with individual donors. Since the money they raise comes from a variety of sources, fundraisers must be able to shift their approach depending on the situation.
Understanding the nature behind human decision-making with a degree in Psychology is extremely helpful to a fundraiser and their quest of ensuring the organization’s accounts are always well-funded.
10. Public Relations Manager
$130,480 median salary per year
Public relations managers are responsible for communicating a company’s stance or position to the general public. Duties include distributing press releases on behalf of the organization, answering questions from the media, and advising the organization on how to manage particular situations. All of these circumstances benefit greatly from a degree in Psychology.
What can I do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology?
As you can see, a wide variety of high-paying jobs await you when you obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. When pursuing your BS in Psychology, you can begin to think outside the box when dreaming about your future career.
In addition to the ten jobs we listed above, you can explore careers in industries like:
- Healthcare
- Management and Administration
- Accounting and Finance
- Retail
- Sales
- Social Work
- Advertising
- Human Resources
Skills and Qualifications Needed
Let’s go over some skills that will make you even more valuable in the job market:
- Interpersonal skills. Understanding and working well with others is essential in many psychology-related careers.
- Analytical skills. The ability to analyze data, behaviors, and situations is vital in fields like market research and casework.
- Communication skills. Clear and effective communication is crucial across many roles, especially for technical writing and public relations positions.
- Problem-Solving skills. Employing critical thinking to solve complex problems is valuable in HR management and computer programming careers.
Advantages of a psychology degree in the job market
Having a wide range of job opportunities is not the only advantage. Let’s see what else a BS in Psychology has to offer.
A BS in Psychology develops critical thinking, research, and data analysis skills. You’ll learn about human behavior, cognition, and emotion, building strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
Depending on your focus, you might specialize in cognitive, developmental, or social psychology. These skills are highly transferable, making psychology graduates versatile in various careers.
As businesses increasingly recognize the value of understanding human behavior, the demand for psychology graduates grows. Plus, a degree in Psychology provides numerous opportunities to connect with professionals across various industries.
How to become a psychologist
A bachelor’s degree in Psychology can be the first step toward becoming a psychologist. The path, however, involves further education, such as a master’s and doctoral degree, followed by licensure and specialized training.
Tips for starting a career with a Bachelor’s in Psychology
Starting a career with a Bachelor’s in Psychology involves exploring diverse career options, gaining practical experience through internships, and considering further education if necessary.
Learn more about how to pursue these jobs with a Bachelor’s in Psychology with the University of Bridgeport’s in-person and online programs. We look forward to helping you achieve your degree and dream job!