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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. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.
Other titles employers use
Consulting Psychologist · I-O Practitioner (Industrial-Organizational Practitioner) · I-O Psychologist (Industrial-Organizational Psychologist) · Industrial Psychologist · Management Consultant · Organizational Consultant · Organizational Development Specialist (OD Specialist) · Organizational Psychologist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Provide advice on best practices and implementation for selection.
- Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs.
- Analyze data, using statistical methods and applications, to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of workplace programs.
- Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
- Observe and interview workers to obtain information about the physical, mental, and educational requirements of jobs, as well as information about aspects such as job satisfaction.
- Facilitate organizational development and change.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, persuading and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
Subjects to know
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
Useful strengths
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.8 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.0 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 1.6 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a master's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 57%
- A doctorate or professional degree 31%
- A certificate or some college 4%
- A two-year degree 4%
- A four-year degree 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Analytical or scientific software
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Document management software
- Web platform development software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,900
- Job openings each year
- 130
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 11.8%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,900 | 130 | 11.8% |
| North Carolina | 570 | 40 | 11.8% |
| Oregon | 440 | 30 | 15.8% |
| Arizona | 230 | 20 | 15.0% |
| Ohio | 210 | 10 | 5.0% |
| Alabama | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Idaho | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| Maryland | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| New Mexico | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Kentucky | 100 | 10 | — |
| Missouri | 80 | 0 | 14.3% |
| Nebraska | 60 | 0 | — |
| New Jersey | 10 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 2,993
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Florida International University
- Degrees each year
- 1,548
- Admit rate
- 59%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
University of Central Florida
- Degrees each year
- 1,510
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Liberty University
- Degrees each year
- 1,139
- Admit rate
- 99%
- Annual cost after aid
- $27,000
California State University-Fullerton
- Degrees each year
- 992
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
California State University-Northridge
- Degrees each year
- 980
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 972
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 911
- Admit rate
- 64%
- Annual cost after aid
- —