20 Occupations Where Knowledge of Psychology Is Important

by Michael Davis

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Psychology, which involves knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders, belongs to the mathematics and science knowledge domain. Mathematics and science is knowledge of the history, theories, methods, and applications of the physical, biological, social, mathematical, and geography. Other knowledge attributes that belong in this group are

Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Sociology and Anthropology
Geography

The occupations where psychology play a major role are listed below.

Marriage and family therapists
Marriage and family therapists diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service, education and training, english language, philosophy and theology, sociology and anthropology and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $45,720 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 14.46%

Mental health counselors
Mental health counselors counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. They may also help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $38,150 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 24%

Psychiatric technicians
Psychiatric technicians care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. They may also participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $28,710 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 4.19%

Occupational therapists
Occupational therapists assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service, education and training, sociology and anthropology and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $72,320 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 25.6%

Rehabilitation counselors
Rehabilitation counselors counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include education and training and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $32,350 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 18.95%

Recreational therapists
Recreational therapists plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and arts and crafts. They may also assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service, education and training, english language and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $39,410 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 14.6%

Mental health and substance abuse social workers
Mental health and substance abuse social workers assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service, sociology and anthropology and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $38,600 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 19.54%

Medical and public health social workers
Medical and public health social workers provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family care givers, providing patient education and counseling, and making referrals for other services. They may also also provide care and case management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service, english language, sociology and anthropology and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $47,230 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 22.39%

Industrial-organizational psychologists
Industrial-organizational psychologists 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. They may also work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include education and training, english language, mathematics and personnel and human resources.
Median Annual Salary: $87,330 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 26.26%

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. They may also work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required. The other knowledge domain that is considered important for this occupation is customer and personal service.
Median Annual Salary: $40,380 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 20.65%

Psychiatric aides
Psychiatric aides assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. They may also assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. They may also restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies. The other knowledge domain that is considered important for this occupation is therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $24,950 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 5.77%

First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers
First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers directly supervise and coordinate activities of personal service workers, such as flight attendants, hairdressers, or caddies. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service and education and training.
Median Annual Salary: $35,290 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 15.36%

Educational, vocational, and school counselors
Educational, vocational, and school counselors counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include clerical, customer and personal service, education and training, english language and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $53,380 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 13.99%

Physician assistants
Physician assistants provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. They may also, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include biology, customer and personal service, medicine and dentistry and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $86,410 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 38.99%

Occupational therapist assistants
Occupational therapist assistants assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. They may also, in accordance with State laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.
Median Annual Salary: $51,010 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 29.78%

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. They may also counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include education and training and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $38,120 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 21.02%

Pharmacists
Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. They may also advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include biology, chemistry, clerical, computers and electronics, customer and personal service, education and training, english language, mathematics, medicine and dentistry and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $111,570 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 17.01%

Social and community service managers
Social and community service managers plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service, education and training, english language and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $57,950 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 13.78%

Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. They may also sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. They may also determine liability of defendant in civil cases. They may also perform wedding ceremonies. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service, english language and law and government.
Median Annual Salary: $119,270

Speech-language pathologists
Speech-language pathologists assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. They may also select alternative communication systems and teach their use. They may also perform research related to speech and language problems. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include customer and personal service, education and training, english language and therapy and counseling.
Median Annual Salary: $66,920 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 18.54%