How much does a industrial-organizational psychologist make?
The median industrial-organizational psychologist in the United States earns $193,950 per year, about $93.24 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all industrial-organizational psychologists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-3032.
Industrial-organizational psychologist salary range
Pay for industrial-organizational psychologists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $79,010 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $247,220. The average (mean) wage is $170,230, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,010 | $37.99 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $107,310 | $51.59 | |
| Median (50th) | $193,950 | $93.24 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $222,280 | $106.86 | |
| 90th percentile | $247,220 | $118.86 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for industrial-organizational psychologists (SOC 19-3032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Industrial-organizational psychologist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Industrial-organizational psychologists earn the most in Oregon at $174,980 a year, and the least in Texas at $139,520. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $174,980 | 60 |
| Texas | $139,520 | 40 |
State median wages for industrial-organizational psychologists (SOC 19-3032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for industrial-organizational psychologists
The BLS projects employment of industrial-organizational psychologists to grow 6.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 4,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for industrial-organizational psychologists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an industrial-organizational psychologist
The typical entry-level education for industrial-organizational psychologists is a master's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an industrial-organizational psychologist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oregon, $174,980) and the lowest (Texas, $139,520) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 790 people work as industrial-organizational psychologists in the United States. At $193,950 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Industrial-organizational psychologist salary FAQ
How much does an industrial-organizational psychologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an industrial-organizational psychologist is $93.24. The middle half of industrial-organizational psychologists earn between $51.59 and $106.86 per hour.
What is the highest industrial-organizational psychologist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of industrial-organizational psychologists earn more than $247,220 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an industrial-organizational psychologist make a year?
The median annual salary for an industrial-organizational psychologist is $193,950. The average (mean) wage is $170,230, close to the median.
Is being an industrial-organizational psychologist a well paid job?
At $193,950 a year, an industrial-organizational psychologist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 790 people work as industrial-organizational psychologists in the United States.
Which state pays industrial-organizational psychologists the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for industrial-organizational psychologists at $174,980 a year. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an industrial-organizational psychologist a good career?
Employment of industrial-organizational psychologists is projected to grow 6.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an industrial-organizational psychologist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for industrial-organizational psychologists as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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