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Job outlook for forensic psychologists in the United States
Forensic psychologist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected forensic psychologist job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 11,300 new jobs for forensic psychologists are projected over the next decade.
Forensic psychologist salaries have increased 11% for forensic psychologists in the last 5 years.
There are over 7,336 forensic psychologists currently employed in the United States.
There are 11,802 active forensic psychologist job openings in the US.
The average forensic psychologist salary is $83,065.
Are forensic psychologist jobs in demand?
Forensic Psychologist job and salary trends over time
Forensic Psychologist jobs over time
Forensic Psychologist job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,336 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 8,035 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 7,672 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,287 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,974 | 0.00% |
Average forensic psychologist salary over time
Forensic Psychologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $83,065 | $39.93 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $79,932 | $38.43 | +1.0% |
| 2023 | $79,131 | $38.04 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | $76,751 | $36.90 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | $75,157 | $36.13 | +1.2% |
Forensic Psychologist jobs by state
Most common states for forensic psychologists
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 26 | 4% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 171 | 3% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 31 | 3% |
| 4 | California | 39,536,653 | 608 | 2% |
| 5 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 270 | 2% |
| 6 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 161 | 2% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 124 | 2% |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 90 | 2% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 72 | 2% |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 68 | 2% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 35 | 2% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 17 | 2% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 13 | 2% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 12 | 2% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 150 | 1% |
| 16 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 126 | 1% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 106 | 1% |
| 18 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 98 | 1% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 36 | 1% |
| 20 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 32 | 1% |
Most common cities for forensic psychologists
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgewater | 1 | 4% | $97,699 |
| 2 | Boulder | 1 | 1% | $88,880 |
| 3 | Pembroke Pines | 1 | 1% | $62,584 |
| 4 | Worcester | 1 | 1% | $97,415 |
| 5 | Bakersfield | 1 | 0% | $118,943 |
| 6 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $97,182 |
Forensic Psychologist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of forensic psychologist experts
Luther College
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Norfolk State University
Brigham Young University
Central College
Coastal Carolina University
Wright State University
Marian University
University of Oregon
Oberlin College
Northern Michigan University
Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Shaquille Rivera: Be open minded to learn that you aren't going to be perfect in your role as you are always going to learn something about yourself. In addition to people you will be working with or helping in any type of fashion in the world of psychology. If you know the type of work you want to do long term, plan ahead to see what type of credentials and studying need to be done. Always seek to learn rather than do everything on your own.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shaquille Rivera: I would tell students to focus on technical skills that employers would want in the role. Anything that would add to their administrative strengths such as excel, how to create powerpoints, communication skills, projects, and examples of success stories how they have made an impact in the places they have worked. Anything computer based will always be important to learn more about.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Shaquille Rivera: Salary should always be analyzed. Employers will pay based on what you bring to the table so always focus on learning and expanding rather than feeling you are expected to get a certain amount. If you do your research on a role in-depth to determine the type of salary you can prove to have some negotiation in that space. Always research the work you would be doing.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Manijeh Badiee Ph.D.: If a person is willing to attend graduate school, they can train to become a therapist.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Manijeh Badiee Ph.D.: Psychology is a very broad field with subspecialities like clinical counseling, industrial/organization, biological, developmental, etc. There is not a great deal you can do with a bachelor's in psychology, other than jobs in research labs or applied behavioral analysis. Research labs would be assisting someone with research activities. Applied behavioral analysis is a type of therapy typically done with kids on the spectrum or other neurodevelopmental concerns.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Manijeh Badiee Ph.D.: The term psychologist means a person who has a doctorate degree in either clinical or counseling psychology. As far as what people like about their roles, it really depends on the subtype (see #1). In general, people who are in a psychology field enjoy working with people and understanding them more.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Prof. Jeffrey Saerys-Foy: Careers unfold over a long time. People may expect to take a certain trajectory but find that a job is not what they thought it would be. They may also learn about new opportunities. Their goals and values might also change. Graduates should be flexible and expect change. Building networks, keeping an eye out for opportunities, and keeping current on skills can help individuals make (or cope with) changes. It is also easy for new graduates to take on too much to try to get ahead. Graduates should seek out opportunities and be proactive, but they also need to find a healthy work-life balance so as not to burn out and to make room for other things that are important. It is easier maintaining a healthy work-life balance than rebalancing a life that is out of balance.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Prof. Jeffrey Saerys-Foy: The American Psychological Association emphasizes the skillful psychologist. Often, students focus on Psychology as a content area or particular career (e.g., therapist), and curricula are often structured around content. Students should be actively thinking about how the content of Psychology courses can apply to potential careers, as any job they work in will involve Psychology in some way. Students should also think about skills. Psychology draws on statistics, research methods (surveys, observations, experiments), written and oral communication, and all of these require some degree of critical thinking and technical skills. I would recommend that students seek opportunities to cultivate them. For example, people shy away from statistics because it’s technical and challenging, but having a strong background in statistics can open a range of jobs with high salaries. Often, people are told to follow their passions, but in doing so they may avoid tackling more technical and challenging skills and content areas that may make them more marketable. Last, students should take advantage of professional development opportunities, such as connecting with alumni in relevant fields, mock interviews, practice negotiations, etc. They do not need to be set on a job when they enter college, but they should be exploring and working toward it throughout college. Students often focus on more immediate goals (e.g., assignments, socializing) and keep putting off professional development until right before they graduate, which means they are less prepared for finding jobs.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Prof. Jeffrey Saerys-Foy: 1. Quantitative literacy (i.e., how to collect, analyze, evaluate, visualize, and report data
2. Interpersonal skills (e.g., giving and listening to feedback, setting appropriate boundaries, collaborating, public speaking)
3. Critical thinking (e.g., assessing information, consider multiple sides, awareness of biases)
4. Technical computer skills (e.g., fluency with Microsoft Suite, cyber hygiene).
5. AI Fluency (e.g., prompt engineering, evaluating AI outputs, finding and using different AI programs)
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Elizabeth List PsyD: This is a thought-provoking question, and the best approach depends on your personal goals. My top recommendation is to thoroughly research your options and avoid delaying your decision. If you are considering a doctoral program, opting for a PsyD program might be more advantageous than pursuing a master's degree first, as it can save you both time and money. While the prospect of taking out loans can be daunting, there are loan forgiveness programs available for those who work in underserved areas or for the government. The key point to consider is that the sooner you complete your program, the sooner you can start earning an income. It is challenging to complete a graduate program without incurring some debt, but taking out loans is a highly personal decision. Therefore, it is crucial to explore all your options and be confident in your career path before making a final decision.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Elizabeth List PsyD: In my experience, understanding people, critical reasoning skills, self-discipline, and mental flexibility are incredibly valuable in the workplace. As our work becomes increasingly technology-driven, these skills will be essential for successful employment. The ability to comprehend human behavior, think critically, maintain discipline, and adapt to changing circumstances will help professionals navigate and thrive in a tech-heavy environment.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Elizabeth List PsyD: It ultimately depends on what the graduate is interested in pursuing. I often tell students that the best and most challenging aspect of psychology is its vast scope. The field offers a multitude of career paths, which can be both exciting and overwhelming. For those who are unsure of their direction, I advise reflecting on what excites them and what they are passionate about. If you find fulfillment in listening to and supporting others through difficult times, you might consider a career in counseling. If you enjoy working with children, becoming a school counselor or school psychologist could be a great fit. The field of psychology extends to the criminal justice system, business, sports, and even video game and tech development. My best advice is to follow your passions. Your psychology degree is an excellent foundation for a wide range of careers. While many career paths may require additional education, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of your goals before committing to further schooling. A psychology major equips you with valuable employment skills such as critical thinking, understanding others, embracing diversity, self-awareness, mental flexibility, and self-discipline—qualities that are highly sought after by employers.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Loren Toussaint Ph.D.: Earn a bachelor's level (or higher) degree, and market the strengths you discover and hone in this training! Individuals trained in the field of psychology have excellent earning potential, especially as they are able to use their skills in applied settings such as education, business, law, government, and mental health. Recent Bureau of Labor statistics data show that college graduates out-earn their counterparts who have earned either a high school or tech school degree. This remains true even after adjusting for the cost of the additional education. A degree in psychology offers lots of career options and good earning potential in good working conditions. This is every bit as true today as it was in the past.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Loren Toussaint Ph.D.: I think it is important to remain open to lots of different possibilities. Psychology is a broad field and offers expertise that is applicable in many different sectors of the economy. Think in terms of what possible areas of work are appealing where you can apply what you've learned in psychology. For instance, consider how your skills can be applied in healthcare, counseling, data analytics, business, organizations, education, testing, and government. I've seen students use their training in all of these sectors and they have had excellent success.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Loren Toussaint Ph.D.: Two sets of skills seem especially important in the coming few years. First, data analytic and methodology skills. There is no question that psychology devotes more curricular time to analytic and methods skills than almost any other science. There are historical reasons for this, but suffice to say that psychology is first, and perhaps foremost, a science and data analytical field. Second, skills in counseling, organizational leadership and management, and social-emotional and critical-thinking skills are increasingly important in our society today. Think of an individual that can help someone through a relationship break-up or work-related burnout, or someone who can coach excellent leaders, or someone who can teach people how to interact gracefully in social settings and think carefully about critical social and political issues. Individuals with these skills will be sought after for their expertise.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Tomorrow Arnold: It’s a good profession because it is something that touches every aspect of life including health, the environmental, social issues, and cognitive science. Whether you are interested in research, non-profit work, or practicing psychology you are able to do so in a lot of settings. The great thing about being a psychologist is you have a lot of opportunities. Right now, it’s a great time because there are many opportunities in various areas from artificial intelligence and how it impacts therapy, teaching, or the workplace to the climate such as motivating people’s behavior to improve the environment, help people live more sustainably, and understand how the environment impacts people such as noise and light pollution.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tomorrow Arnold: What a psychologist does on a day-to-day varies a lot by their setting and job responsibilities. Many people think of clinical or counseling psychology, being a therapist and providing evaluations. However, even clinical psychologists can have many different roles from helping chronic pain patients, providing assessments for bariatric surgery, and providing assessments for forensic settings (e.g., courts). There are also roles as other practitioners as industrial and organizational psychologists which work with organizations and businesses to improve organizational practices and employee wellbeing. There are human factors and engineering psychologists who study human-machine interactions and help design technology (e.g., car dashboard layouts). Sports and performance psychologists study behavior in sports, exercise, and performance and will work with athletes to address barriers to their success. There are many areas but those are the most common.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Tomorrow Arnold: A lot of the reason people enjoy psychology is for how it can to day-to-day aspects of lives, so there is always something to do and learn. Downsides are that there is always something to learn and it can be overwhelming, especially if you’re passionate. Also, depending on what you’d like to do, you may also need advanced degrees such as a master’s or doctorate.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Dr. Scott Debb: The first thing is to manage your expectations. Depending on what geographic area you’re in and how saturated the ‘market’ is, you should adjust your expectations accordingly. Further, many people have multiple employers, for example teaching at a college or university but also having whatever clinical caseload they can handle. This will also depend on the alphabet soup after your name. For example, are you licensed at a master’s level of training but also have a doctoral level education? Are you working for a private practice as a 1099 employee—which is often consistent hours but limited income based on insurance reimbursement and because you’d likely split with the business 60% for you 40% for the business. If you’re full time in practice doing therapy, you can estimate how much you’ll likely take in based on expected weekly billable hours, which means you won’t get a raise unless you work more hours or insurance reimbursement rates increase. To maximize income, it’s easier to combine academic and clinical or research worlds and earn income from a combination of sources.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Scott Debb: Telehealth, in particular virtual meeting spaces that we create for people will likely be the most significant skill for clinicians to master. Traditional counseling and therapy research and practice has predominantly been on in person, face to face meeting spaces where rapport is built through nonverbal communication as well as vocal tone. For telehealth work, we need to create the same safe space for people and still be able to pick up on their non-verbals and have them pick up on ours as well.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Scott Debb: Make sure you get good training, both in the classroom and then on the job before you get licensed. Once you complete training experiences at the graduate level, there can be a dropoff of support you get from classmates and colleagues, especially if you’re in a private practice setting. You can’t have too much trial-and-error when you’re licensed because you’re supposed to know the basics about how to help people when they’re in distress.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Shaun Cook Ph.D.: There are tons of opportunities for those with Psychology training. The training prepares one to work in a myriad of settings (human services, therapy delivery, schools, the government, hospitals, clinics, research settings, human resources, business fields, statistics, legal and court settings, etc.). And, many of these fields are experiencing a dearth of well-qualified candidates.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shaun Cook Ph.D.: I think most like working with people, knowing that their work is helping and serving others in some way. Also, I think most find the topics and content that Psychologists deal with fascinating - so our jobs are not boring. In terms of dislikes, for some positions, the pay should be better. Also, when one finds out you are in psychology, they automatically assume you are a therapist and analyzing them, which is not true. Finally, it is unfortunate that Freud is associated so strongly by most with Psychology as he is not an appropriate or accurate figure to associate with the field.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Shaun Cook Ph.D.: This really depends on the area of specialization and the type of psychologist. It varies widely depending on if you are a researcher, a clinician, a professor, a consultant, work in a school setting or in industry (our term for the business world), etc. If you have a type of psychologist in mind, that would be helpful.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Professor Sam Hardy: The usual, things like paperwork (e.g., reporting) and bureaucracy, but that’s the kind of hassle you deal with in any job. Public universities also have to depend on government funding which is unpredictable. At research universities there is also a lot of pressure to publish and get grants, but most people at those universities have high goals in those areas anyway.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Sam Hardy: Basically, faculty jobs are some combination of three things – teaching, research, and service. Teaching is obviously teaching classes. Research is doing studies and writing papers. Service is a lot of things. Some is at the university and involves being on committees, service in administrative roles, mentoring students, etc. Service outside of university involves reviewing and editing for journals, getting involved in professional organization, engaging in professional conferences, reviewing grant proposals, etc. The relative proportion of time spent on each depends on the type of college/university. Liberal arts colleges will have very little if any emphasis on research, so faculty do a lot of teaching (like maybe 3-4 courses per semester). At universities that have research programs it is usually split something like 40% teaching, 40% research, 20% service (likely 1-2 courses per semester). Sometimes faculty also do some applied work on the side, such statistical or methodological consulting, program development, public scholarship, etc.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Professor Sam Hardy: I’m not sure there is anything about it being a good profession NOW. But it is always a good profession because you basically get to study interesting topics and get paid for it. Universities are exciting and vibrant places to work. It is fun being a part of the conversation regarding knowledge creation and application. Faculty positions are seen as prestigious, lending credibility. There is a lot of flexibility. I set my own schedule. I study what I want to study. I teach how I want to teach. And with AI and other technological advancements, everyday there is something new.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Randall Renstrom PhD: As technological innovations like artificial intelligence spread throughout the workforce, jobs in human services will continue to require just that: humans. Psychology students entering fields like counseling, social work, human resources, and healthcare will find they are well-equipped in these industries because of psychology's focus on understanding human relationships and social interactions.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Randall Renstrom PhD: I tell my students that a degree in psychology prepares them for any job where you have to interact with people, which is nearly every job there is! As experts in understanding the human condition, psychology majors are qualified to work in any number of fields, from counseling to sales to healthcare to marketing and advertising. Graduates should cast a wide net when on the job market and think about how their skills may apply in a wide range of possible career pathways.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Randall Renstrom PhD: You want your resume to stand out from the crowd. Take advantage of opportunities at college like internships, service-learning, and studying abroad, all of which can give you practical real-world experience and help you develop unique skills that strengthen your potential when starting your career. Likewise, I emphasize research skills with my students at Central College, which can give students an advantage on the job market. Many industries value research-savvy employees who can work with large data sets, perform statistical tests, or provide data-driven solutions to problems.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Poonam Dubal Ph.D., LP, LSSP: The need for our expertise is out there, and so are good, livable salaries. To maximize your salary potential, first know what is typical for the type of position you are seeking. Don't be afraid to ask colleagues and peers what they are making; it's only with good data that you can make an informed ask regarding your own salary. Once you know the range that is available, think about how to leverage your unique experiences and qualifications. What of your skills makes you an excellent match for a particular site, or make you uniquely qualified to perform particular tasks? If you see gaps, you might spend some resources initially to get additional training/certifications that better position you for the types of jobs and the level of salary you want. You don't need to chase every certification out there; be thoughtful about what would enhance the skills you already have or really help position you as an emerging expert in a particular area (e.g., trauma, somatic bodywork, EMDR, etc). Often, these initial investments can really boost your salary potential.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Poonam Dubal Ph.D., LP, LSSP: There is a huge need for mental health providers, so you're off to a good start already! As you begin your career, be open to different opportunities and settings; there are a lot of ways to use your expertise and clinical experience. For instance, I've worked in schools, at a non-profit in social-emotional curriculum development, in private practice, and am currently a faculty member at a university. In your job search, you should be able to articulate your areas of strength and know the areas in which you hope to grow as a clinician as your career progresses. Be sure to utilize the connections you've made over your time in graduate school; you will be surprised what kinds of opportunities a simple introductory email from a mentor to a prospective employer might do for you! Don't be afraid to ask for that intro email or for someone to mention your name to their colleague who is hiring. At the same time, stay rooted in your ethics and scope of practice by not taking on projects/jobs that are far outfield from your primary domains. It's one thing to stretch yourself into new areas, which often happens over the course of a career trajectory, but know your limits, too.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Poonam Dubal Ph.D., LP, LSSP: Psychologists are going to have to learn to work with the presence of tech and AI. Playing around with Chat GPT, I was astounded to see what kinds of responses could come related to therapeutic questions. However, there's no replacement for the therapist/client relationship and the kind of powerful work that can be done in the therapy room. At the same time, there might be a place for your clients to use Chat GPT and other apps; be open to exploring how technology can support your client in reaching their therapeutic goals. Also, understanding the impact of technology on clients and how to help them have a better relationship with technology will be very important, particularly if you're working with child/adolescent clients.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Dr. Terry Pettijohn II: In the field of Psychology, the ability to think critically and be flexible will be especially important and prevalent in the next 3-5 years. With the rise of AI assisted technology, employees have to be able to determine how to accurately and ethically utilize AI and apply it in various environments. Being able to think through scenarios and change perspectives with new information will be critical to future job success. Do not rely on AI to do everything for you and make sure you check AI creations.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Terry Pettijohn II: A Psychology degree is great preparation for many types of employment, so majors should feel very confident as they begin their careers. Since you are not trained specifically to be a Psychologist at the undergraduate level, your ability to write, think critically, and rely on scientific findings to support your decisions and viewpoints are especially important and will help you advance in any position. In addition, your ability to understand people and their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors will be very valuable in the workplace. Rest assured you are well-prepared for new career challenges with the coursework and experiences you had as a student.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Terry Pettijohn II: While Psychology majors may not start at a high salary compared to other majors, they may quickly prove their workplace value through their critical thinking, flexibility, and ability to understand people. Stress these valuable characteristics when negotiating a starting salary and continue to work hard to demonstrate your value to the company.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Dr. Pam Garverick: First, I would tell them that there are a wide variety of jobs that a psychology degree prepares them for, not just the ones that come easily to mind. Most students only think of counseling or clinical psychology and miss that there are many other opportunities.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Pam Garverick: Salary potential goes up quite a bit with additional education. I would highly recommend at least a master's for those going into Psychology.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Pam Garverick: Statistical knowledge, The ability to ask scientific questions
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Noelany Pelc PhD, LP: While there is variability in salary ranges across states, regions, and locations, be sure to review average salaries in the region for employees with commensurate training and education. This information can be used effectively in early negotiation stages to advocate for salaries on the higher end of the starting cap. Conduct research on specialized certifications or credentials, such as substance abuse or trauma-related credentials, that demonstrate expertise and can facilitate marketing early on. Similarly, at the outset of contract negotiations, ask targeted questions about opportunities for promotion, salary increases, and read Human Resource documentation about review cycles, some of which occur during the early probational months.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Noelany Pelc PhD, LP: Technology-related skills, such as digital literacy, adaptability to a number of modalities and forms of communication, along with the ability to cultivate presence across these different spaces will be critical. Strong scientific and inquiry skills, such as the capacity to communicate, evaluate, plan, question, identify areas of further investigation, analyze data and report conclusions are highly transferrable across settings and roles, which makes them invaluable. Additionally, well-developed ethical decision-making skills to navigate rapidly-evolving applications of artificial intelligence, privacy in digital spaces, and issues of social justice and advocacy are likely to be instrumental over the next 3-5 years. There is also a significant responsibility to remain current on shifts in sociocultural and sociopolitical variables, such as legislation and policy, that influence the lives of clients, students, patients, stakeholders, and community members.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Noelany Pelc PhD, LP: Leave room for growth and evolution. Often, the starting point of a career is one of many steps toward building a career path. Engage in mentorship, supervision, and seek out training and continuing education that clarify potential paths, areas for growth, and opportunities to develop specialization and niche expertise. Often, mentors can suggest pathways that are not on the radar for recent graduates. In the beginning, seek to experience different settings, populations, and person-centered work, given that graduates of Psychology programs are employable in a number of different fields. Diversity of experience cultivates deeper understanding of alignment with long-term goals.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Nichole Kelly PhD: Congratulations! Graduate school in this field is intense. You are now trained to be a licensed psychologist and a scientist. Some of you may also have a great deal of experience teaching. It's a pretty beautiful combination of skills. And it's taken you a long time and many hours of coursework, practical experiences, and independent research to get to this point. I hope you allow yourself some time and space to see which combinations of these skills bring value and energy to your life.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nichole Kelly PhD: For those interested in pursuing careers in science, learning how to engage with open access, free statistical software, like R, will be critical. Very few organizations are supporting high cost software packages anymore. Learning how to engage with this type of software will also make you more marketable to the many different types of organizations that rely on data to be effective in their work. For those interested in clinical care, I would suggest gaining competence in brief interventions, including single sessions. Different healthcare settings are increasingly relying on one to three session interventions to meet the mental and behavioral health needs of their patients. While some patients will certainly benefit from longer-term care, there is a growing evidence base for very brief interventions. So I would suggest familiarizing themselves with this literature and gaining some clinical practice with these interventions.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Nichole Kelly PhD: In the science or academic arenas, having advanced statistical analysis skills can expand career potential. If you have multiple job offers, you can negotiate. And this doesn't have to be a particularly stressful or confrontational conversation. It can simply be a matter of asking for a salary that would make it worthwhile to not take another offer, and thanking them and moving on if they are unable to meet the request. In the clinical arena, I would suggest getting trained in multiple evidence based approaches and increasing your comfort with providing telehealth services. Both of these skills are valuable to medical hospitals, as well as private practices.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Nancy Darling: Lots of folks who love people are not crazy about numbers, and psychology as a field is fundamentally a science based in statistics. For some folks, what they love about the field is the science. For others, they’d rather never see another standard deviation again. I think all psychologists value having the quantitative skills that make them unafraid to take on jobs that require them to play with numbers.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nancy Darling: Psychology balances quantitative skills, critical thinking, and working well with people. That and strong communication skills makes psychology a terrific background for a range of careers. That is always really important, but particularly so now when things are changing fast. The broad range of skills means you can move quickly from non-profits, to community settings, to business, to computer application design. Right now, in particular, we are in a time when there is a real need for people with training in the field of mental health, broadly defined, and for people who know how to create human environments that support people in their every day lives. Psychology students are well positioned for those fields.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Nancy Darling: Students with degrees in Psychology have a terrific balance of liberal arts skills. They have strong quantitative skills, write and speak well, have strong training in analytic thinking, and know how to work with people. Because of this training they go into many different fields. We have students entering business who go into marketing. Other students have a more clinical or developmental focus and work with children in after school programs, as teachers’ aids, or provide services to people with autism or developmental disabilities. Many of our students go into research. They collect data, organize and present analyses, and work with teams of scientists in fields from cognitive science to nursing or medicine. Recently, many students have gone on to get further training in both public health and designing good user interfaces for phones, tablets and computers. Psychology is a huge field. Our students go on to many different things. What our students DON’T do is go directly into providing what many people think of as the bread and butter of psychology - counseling, psychiatry or clinical psychology. Those fields require advanced graduate training that isn’t offered at the undergraduate level.
Dr. Marguerite Moore Ph.D., AT, ITAT
The Mark R. and Eileen Lovell Endowed ProfessorshipNorthern Michigan University
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Dr. Marguerite Moore Ph.D., AT, ITAT: Go in knowing your worth. Some areas are required to publish their individuals. Look at industry standards for entry-level positions. Examine the living expenses in the area you want to work and how that relates to the industry standard. Don't be afraid to go in with those numbers and advocate for yourself. Set a boundary and advocate for your skills. What else do you bring to the table to justify an increase above whatever they had planned for the position? Do you have additional certifications or expertise that is uncommon in the industry? Above all, you don't have to accept your first offer! Use the experience to gain for a second position or second offer. You are not a failure, you just know your worth and be patient.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Marguerite Moore Ph.D., AT, ITAT: Don't over think your first job. It doesn't have to be your dream job, but should be related to a 3-5 year goal you have. If that is taking a position in the dream company and making lateral moves to get into the position you want or climbing the ladder to the position you want don't be afraid to take a different path and to learn along the way. If it's a management position you seek or a specific patient population glean all of the advice from colleagues and utilize the internal mechanisms to get you where you want to be.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Marguerite Moore Ph.D., AT, ITAT: I think the human connection will be focused on over 3-5 years as there is a bit of lashback from too much artificial intelligence. Using a holistic approach to solve problems in the body and not just specializing in one area will be key.
Dr. Maria Turkson Ph.D.
Associate Teaching Professor of Psychology/Licensed PsychologistPennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Dr. Maria Turkson Ph.D.: I would tell graduates to google starting salaries for jobs for which they are applying and try to negotiate a higher starting salary. According to research, men tend to ask for higher starting salaries than women, which enables men to earn higher overall salaries, because raises are based on the starting pay. For example, don't automatically agree to the first rate that is offered. Instead, counteroffer with a higher rate. But, don't negotiate until AFTER you are offered the job - that's when applicants have the most power, because the site clearly wants to hire you. However, do not ask for too high of a counteroffer, because that might make one seem greedy and only interested in the money and not the job itself. Career development centers on campus might be able to assist with negotiation strategies, and when I taught my advanced Psychology of Gender course, I had students role-play negotiating a higher salary for a mock job. Students seemed to really enjoy that negotiation activity! While on the job, find out how to get promoted and define pathways and goals to get there. Seek mentoring to assist in making these aspirations possible. Lastly, know that you have graduated with an enviable skill set that has value. That type of career self-efficacy can help you negotiate the salary you deserve.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Maria Turkson Ph.D.: I would tell graduating seniors, who majored in psychology, that their skill set is very marketable. In fact, students majoring in psychology may have better skills than many of their counterparts. To begin, psychology is a natural science and students are trained in the scientific method. Specifically, a major is psychology prepares students to think critically and skeptically about conclusions made from data, as well as to think conceptually from internal (e.g., personality characteristics) and external (e.g., situational) factors, types of thinking that employers seek. In a nutshell, psychology majors tend to be good problems solvers. In addition, psychology students learn to work as a team, either as a research assistant or in an internship setting, which translates well to the world of work and society. These learned skills can apply to a wide range of areas, such as education, business, health, marketing, public affairs, etc. Furthermore, a degree in psychology teaches students good written and verbal communication skills as well as ethical decision making, all of which are valued by future employers. In short, psychology graduates may succeed in entry-level positions in their field or other fields due to the ways in which they think, solve problems, and communicate. Another piece of advice is to find a mentor on the job. Career success is not only shaped by performance but also the advice that only a mentor can give, such as pathways to promotion or how to ask for salary increases. Sometimes, graduates may work part-time while taking time to apply to graduate school. Others, who are going on to graduate school, may take a year off to continue to hone their research and clinical skills to make them more competitive for doctoral-level programs. These programs tend to be highly competitive, particularly the PhD degrees in clinical psychology and counseling psychology, which expect applicants to have professional presentations at psychology conferences and/or authorship on a publication, such as in a peer-reviewed journal. I advise students going this route to seek guidance from, and begin research with, a professor early in their university career, and continue communicating with professors after graduation regarding their plans for future graduate work. The latter is critical for graduates to secure good letters of recommendation, which are critical for successful applications for graduate school. Undergraduate psychology professors often hold graduate school workshops to inform students of the above and provide tips on successful applications. I run at least two to three of these workshops per year and will often invite alumni who are interested in applying to graduate school in psychology.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Maria Turkson Ph.D.: There are several areas that are very important, such as trauma-informed therapy, diversity awareness, and artificial intelligence. According to research, we know that many people have some sort of trauma in their early childhood, such as poverty, witnessing domestic violence, sexual abuse, etc. These are called 'adverse childhood experiences' or 'ACES,' which are predictive of adult health and life-span expectancy. Trauma-informed perspectives, which are sweeping the nation, and their accompanying interventions are critical for psychologists to learn. Diversity awareness is not a new area, as psychology students and psychologists are well-trained in multiculturalism, but living in our modern society, we can see how 'old' issues like racism, hate crimes, and antisemitism are troubling social problems that need to be continually addressed by psychologists. Psychologists play an important role on college campuses to appropriately educate students about these areas. Psychologists also can help people work effectively with those who are different from them through diversity training. Diversity skills are very needed in all areas of psychology, related fields such as health professions, and all sectors of society. Recognizing one's implicit biases (e.g., stereotypes of which one is unaware), bringing them into awareness, and working on them to prevent these biases from impeding one's work is critical to successful therapy with clients, for example. Finally, artificial intelligence (AI) can be a useful tool but it can also be used inappropriately. For example, psychologists play a role in helping college professors and teachers spot plagiarism or cheating utilizing AI, but also helping students understand the ethics involved, and consequences of, using AI. The American Psychological Association (APA) might need to update their code of ethics to include statements on the use of AI.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Xu Li Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist (Wisconsin): This will be dependent on the work setting of the counseling psychologist. In general, their work will be broadly in (1) conducting client sessions (individual therapy, group therapy, couple therapy, family therapy, etc.); (2) conducting psychological assessments (this is a unique aspect of psychologist’s work that other professionals do not do); (3) consultation with other professionals or entities (e.g., with criminal justice system); (4) advocacy (on the policy level for positive social changes); (5) conducting psychological research; (6) administrative tasks such as clinical documentation, insurance filing, etc. Individuals working in clinical settings may have more time spent on aspects (1) to (4) and (6); individuals working in academia will have a significant amount of time dedicated to (5); and individuals who have both research and clinical positions do a combination of all of them.
What general advice would you give to a Forensic Psychologist?
Dr. Kimberly Schneider: In the field of psychology, data analysis and reasoning skills are critical competencies for graduates to master, whether they intend to work in a school, organizational, or clinical setting. Graduates with psychology degrees will have completed coursework in these areas and they should consider taking continuing education courses as they progress through their careers so they remain familiar with advances in methodology and measurement that could be applied in their work.
What Forensic Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kimberly Schneider: In my area of specialty, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, the possibilities of applying artificial intelligence to organizational processes are endless. It will be important for those in the field to understand AI tools and use them in ethical and valid ways. Psychologists will need to have assessment skills that will allow them to evaluate the validity and reliability of tests and interviews that use questions generated by AI. They will likely also have to use teamwork and collaboration skills to interact with professionals in other fields to both solve problems and implement solutions for clients/customers.
What will help Forensic Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kimberly Schneider: For psychology graduates applying to field-based or applied jobs, familiarity with current trends in data analysis software and AI tools will be a strong commodity to maximize salary potential, along with continuing to keep up-to-date in these areas as their careers progress. For those applying to academic positions, it seems more critical than ever to engage in cross-disciplinary research collaborations to open avenues for additional grant and publishing opportunities that can help expand one’s program of research.