Industrial – organizational psychologists (sometimes I/O for short) use psychological theories and research to solve all kinds of problems in the workplace, including ones surrounding employee engagement, motivation and/or training.
If you are someone who enjoys working with others and is passionate about solving workplace problems, then this fast-growing, fast-paced, diverse may just be for you!
When entire companies embrace a growth mindset, their employees report feeling far more empowered and committed; they also receive far greater organizational support for collaboration and innovation.
| ID | Job Title | Gender | Age | Earnings | City & State | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33439 | Health Technician | Female | 40 | $41,616 | Nashville, TN | 01/01/2010 |
The name for this career varies depending on whereabouts in the world you live. Some countries say ‘industrial psychologist’, others ‘organizational’ and others ‘occupational psychologist’. For the purpose of this career guide, we will use the term ‘I/O psychologist’, but when doing further research, remember that they all mean the same thing!
Like all careers, the typical duties and responsibilities of an I/O psychologist depends on who they are employed by and where they work.
However, typically I/O psychologists will work within the human resources offices, with their main purpose being to use psychological principles and research methods to solve all kinds of problems in the workplace. They work to improve the efficiency of any organization by improving the organizational structure and the quality of life for employers and employees.
Their main duties and responsibilities include:
I/O psychologists study the individual and the organization, from which they can assess the dynamics of that workplace and determine ways to help them communicate better, increase their productivity and be more effective.
They collect data, analyze results and problem solve to ensure that organizations can have new ways to improve morale, motivation, boost efficiency, decrease absenteeism and lower the turnover rate. This is why I/O psychologists are needed, they work to resolve all sorts of issues that are hindering organizational growth and productivity and they ensure that the workplace run smoothly.
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The Bureau of Labour Statistics has predicted a 14% increase in industrial – organizational careers from 2018 to 2028. This is faster than average in comparison to other careers, and makes it the fastest growing psychology career.
I/O psychologist are predicted to have strong career prospects as more and more businesses are recognising the competitive advantage of managing their talent and using strategies to make organizations more effective. However, the field is fairly competitive as the diverse field path and salary make it attractive.
The career path to becoming an I/O psychologist begins with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, or another related field. You will then need to earn a master’s degree, or equivalent, in industrial, occupational or organizational psychology. This will open you up to many entry-level opportunities.
However, to have more opportunities for success as an I/O psychologist, it would be wise to consider achieving a doctorate degree in a related field, especially if you wanted to go into academia.
Once qualified, most I/O psychologists work in management or in scientific and technical consulting services. Client options are endless and there is a diverse range of progression opportunities, all which tend to offer competitive salaries and attractive benefits packages.
According to PayScale, the average salary for an I/O psychologist in the States is $75,000 per annum. The top 10% earn over $127,000 and the lowest 10% will earn less than $41,000 per year. However, it is predicted that industrial – organizational psychology is to become one of the highest paying psychology professions.
Like many careers, autonomy and flexibility increases with the more experience and knowledge you have. Entry level positions will probably require you to be managed by someone and therefore have less flexibility and autonomy. However, there are many opportunities for consultancy, self-employment and senior roles in this career, meaning that autonomy and flexibility can be very high.
In theory, wherever there are businesses, there is a need for I/O psychologists, meaning jobs are available in many locations. As always, there is likely to be more opportunities in bigger cities, where businesses are bigger and often more results driven. However, the trade off for more opportunities is that there is also more competition in large cities. Smaller and local business will also need help from I/O psychologists, so should be able to find work near where you live that requires a short commute.
According to Zippia, the best states to be an I/O psychologist, based on average annual income and number of opportunities available, were:
The worst states, according to Zippia are Kentucky, Vermont, Mississippi, Florida and Hawaii.
There is generally fairly good job security for I/O psychologists. When working in lower positions, you will most likely be on a contract, which provides you with security. When working as a consultant or being self-employed, you will have security from returning customers, providing you provide a good service.
I/O psychologists tend to have excellent working conditions as they will work in offices or training facilities. They typically work in small teams where their co-workers are friendly, non-competitive and supportive.
Which personalities tend to succeed and thrive in Industrial – Organizational Psychologist careers? Based on our research, there is a relatively strong positive correlation between the following personality types and Industrial – Organizational Psychologist career satisfaction. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t many exceptions, of course, but if you fit into one of the following personality types then we suggest you give strong consideration to a career in Industrial – Organizational Psychologist.
The exact personality type of those who are successful as I/O psychologist is yet to be investigated. However, as you can imagine, you will need to score high on conscientiousness in order to meet deadlines and manage your own clients. Similarly, as I/O psychologists need to interact and build relationships with clients each day, they will also most likely need to be extraverted in order to be successful.
Most of the companies that an I/O psychologist work for are results oriented. This means they allow employees to use their strongest abilities to solve problems and work efficiently, meaning that the career often offers a good sense of accomplishment.
What is more is that because the training to become an I/O psychologist is fairly lengthy, there is a strong sense of mastery once you achieve the knowledge and skills required to be considered an expert.
The meaning and contribution are high for a career as an I/O psychologist as you will be working closely with businesses to help them solve the problems that make them less productive and/or efficient.
You will also implement ways to get lots of different people enthusiastic about their job again, improve their skills and their motivation. This means that you are single handily responsible for increasing their performance and productivity.
As mentioned above, the more education and experience you have as an I/O psychologists, the more flexibility you will have to ensure your job fits with your life.
To begin with, you may have a stricter working schedule that means you work long and set hours. However, as you advance and progress, you will be able to decide what days and what times to meet clients, how many clients you want to take on and how often you want to see them.
You will thrive in a career as an I/O psychologist if you are someone who enjoys working in fast-paced environments, where you get to interact with new people and solve new problems every day.
If you are self-motivated, are willing to commit to education, are results driven and have a genuine passion for a career that helps people love what they do, then we think you’ll thrive in a career as an I/O psychologist.
If you prefer to work with data and numbers, or don’t like social interaction, then you may struggle as an I/O psychologist. Those who are not naturally self-motivated or prefer to always be managed by others may struggle as I/O psychologists as it is common to become self-employed or a consultant, where you manage yourself.
To become an I/O psychology requires extensive studying. First, you will need a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field.
After achieving a bachelor’s degree, you will typically need a master’s in organizational or industrial psychology. Once you have achieved this, you can then begin applying for jobs! However, some go on to achieve a doctoral degree in order to have more opportunities and career progression.
Licensing requirements for I/O psychologists varies by state, so be sure to check the guidelines for the state you intend to practice in.
On top of the relevant state licensing, some I/O psychologists seek voluntary certification from the American Board of Organizational and Business Consulting Psychology (ABOBCP) to demonstrate competency and commitment to the field
An I/O psychologist is a fast-paced career that involves working closely with organizations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
It is a diverse career, offering lots of room for specialization and progression. After completing both an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree, I/O psychologists can begin to work with clients to work better and achieve their organizational goals.
I/O psychologists are in increasing demand, as more and more businesses are realising the competitive advantage of having engaged and motivated employees. This means that there are job available in a wide range of locations, most of which offer competitive salaries and attractive benefits package.
Sounds like something you’re interested in doing? Great!
Well, Like many careers, to get your foot in the door, it is always advisable to seek an internships or relevant work experience whilst completing your undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree. Work experience can even include things such as human resources administration or content management for companies that promote employee engagement and satisfaction.
To become an I/O psychologist, you will need to complete an undergraduate degree in psychology, and then at least a master’s degree in organizational, industrial or occupational psychology. However, many I/O psychologists go on to achieve a doctorate degree, as this gives them more opportunities and advantages.
To develop the skills needed to become an I/O psychologist, you should consider getting relevant work experience that improves your communication, technological, problem solving and listening skills.
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| ID | Job Title | Gender | Age | Earnings | City & State | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33439 | Health Technician | Female | 40 | $41,616 | Nashville, TN | 01/01/2010 |
