One recent career report also suggested that psychology majors earn among the lowest salaries after graduation. However, several recent surveys have suggested that psychology is one of the most popular college majors. If you've ever wondered which specialty area in psychology was the most popular or how much psychologists earn, then check out some of the following employment statistics.
Specialty Areas of Psychologists
© Kendra Van Wagner
Clinical psychology is by far the single large specialty area for psychologists. According to the APA Research Office, 37% of working psychologists are clinicians. Counseling and developmental psychology are the next major areas of employment. Learn more about the specialty areas of psychologists by clicking on the chart to the left.
Work Settings of Psychologists
© Kendra Van Wagner
More than 40% of psychology work in the private, for-profit sector or are self-employed. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, more than 4 out of 10 psychologists were self-employed in 2004, compared to the 1 in 10 in the general population. Educational settings also employ a large number of psychologists with doctoral degree. Learn more about these employment trends by clicking on the picture located to the left.
Women and Minorities in Psychology
© Kendra Van Wagner
Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education, the number of women majoring psychology has grown tremendously over the last 30 years. While women made up 46% of those earning a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1971, this number had grown to a whopping 77.5% by 2002.
While minority students made up less than 12% of undergraduates in 1976, that number had grown to nearly 25% by 2002. There has also been growth in the number of women and minorities earning doctorates in psychology. In 2001, 71% of doctoral graduates were women while 16% were minorities.
While minority students made up less than 12% of undergraduates in 1976, that number had grown to nearly 25% by 2002. There has also been growth in the number of women and minorities earning doctorates in psychology. In 2001, 71% of doctoral graduates were women while 16% were minorities.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Psychologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos056.htmFrinke, J.L., & Pate, W.E. (2004). Yesterday, today, and tomorrow careers in psychology, 2004: What students need to know. American Psychological Association.
