I-O Psychologist Salary
Industrial-organizational psychologists earn a national median salary of $139,280 — the highest of any psychology specialty. Explore detailed salary breakdowns by state, experience, and employer.
Taylor Rupe
B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington — Seattle
Key Takeaways
- I-O psychologists earn a national median of $139,280, making it the highest-paid psychology specialty tracked by the BLS.
- The top 10% of I-O psychologists earn over $210,830 per year.
- Management consulting firms, tech companies, and large corporations are the highest-paying employers for I-O psychologists.
- A master's degree is sufficient for many I-O roles, unlike most other psychology specialties that require a doctorate.
- Job growth is projected at 6% through 2033, driven by increasing corporate demand for talent analytics and organizational effectiveness.
Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists apply psychological principles to workplace challenges — from hiring and talent development to organizational design and employee well-being. They are among the highest-paid psychology professionals in the United States.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks I-O psychologist salaries under SOC code 19-3032. The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology reports that I-O psychologists working in consulting and private industry consistently earn above BLS medians, with senior practitioners and partners often exceeding $200,000 annually.
How Much Do I-O Psychologists Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, industrial-organizational psychologists earn a median annual wage of $139,280 — the highest of any psychology occupation. The lowest 10% earn approximately $64,120, while the highest 10% earn over $210,830.
The BLS reports approximately 1,480 I-O psychologist positions classified under this specific code, though SIOP estimates the true number of professionals applying I-O psychology principles is much larger — many work under titles like "People Analytics Manager," "Talent Strategy Director," or "Organizational Development Consultant."
10th Percentile
$64,120
Median
$139,280
90th Percentile
$210,830
I-O Psychologist Salary by State
| State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $149,630 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $147,880 | 80 |
| California | $146,510 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $143,970 | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $142,050 | 90 |
| District of Columbia | $140,790 | 50 |
| New York | $138,430 | 150 |
| Texas | $133,210 | 100 |
| Illinois | $130,580 | 70 |
| Georgia | $127,940 | 60 |
I-O Psychologist Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–2 years) | $65,000–$85,000 |
| Early Career (3–5 years) | $90,000–$120,000 |
| Mid-Career (6–12 years) | $125,000–$170,000 |
| Senior (13+ years) | $165,000–$250,000+ |
I-O Psychologist Salary by Employer Type
| Employer Type | Salary |
|---|---|
| Management Consulting Firms | $130,000–$220,000+ |
| Tech Companies (FAANG, etc.) | $140,000–$250,000+ |
| Large Corporations (Internal) | $110,000–$180,000 |
| Government & Military | $85,000–$130,000 |
| Academia & Research | $75,000–$130,000 |
I-O Psychologist Salary by Education Level
| Education Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's in I-O Psychology | $80,000–$130,000 |
| PhD in I-O Psychology | $120,000–$200,000+ |
| PhD + Senior Consulting Role | $180,000–$300,000+ |
How to Increase Your I-O Psychologist Salary
I-O psychologists have some of the strongest earning trajectories in all of psychology. The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology reports that compensation increases significantly with experience, with senior practitioners and consultants often earning two to three times entry-level salaries.
- Develop expertise in high-demand areas like people analytics, DEI measurement, executive assessment, or organizational change management — these niches command premium rates.
- Move into management consulting or start an independent consulting practice. Solo I-O consultants often bill $200–$400+ per hour.
- Build technical skills in data science, psychometrics, and statistical programming (R, Python) to access the growing people analytics market.
- Target high-paying industries like tech, finance, and management consulting rather than government or education for maximum earning potential.
- Consider pursuing a PhD if you hold a master's — doctoral-level I-O psychologists earn $40,000–$70,000 more on average than master's-level professionals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
I-O psychologists earn the highest salaries in psychology because they work directly on business outcomes — hiring effectiveness, employee retention, organizational productivity, and leadership development. Companies see a clear ROI from I-O work, which supports higher compensation. The relatively small supply of qualified I-O psychologists (about 1,480 positions per BLS) also drives up wages.
Yes. Unlike most psychology specialties, a master's degree in I-O psychology qualifies you for many positions, especially in corporate and consulting settings. Master's-level I-O professionals earn $80,000–$130,000. However, PhD holders earn significantly more ($120,000–$200,000+) and have access to senior consulting and academic roles.
I-O psychologists at major tech companies (Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft) typically earn $140,000–$250,000+ in total compensation including salary, bonus, and equity. Senior "People Science" or "People Analytics" roles at these companies can exceed $300,000 in total compensation. These are among the highest-paying employers for I-O professionals.
Yes. The BLS projects 6% job growth for I-O psychologists through 2033. However, this understates true demand — many I-O roles are posted under titles like "People Analytics," "Talent Management," "Organizational Effectiveness," or "Employee Experience" rather than "I-O Psychologist." SIOP estimates the broader field is growing at 10–15% annually.
Virginia offers the highest median salary at $149,630, driven by demand from government contractors and consulting firms near Washington D.C. New Jersey ($147,880) and California ($146,510) also rank among the top-paying states. However, I-O psychology is one of the most remote-friendly psychology fields, making geographic salary differences less relevant than in clinical practice.
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