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Job outlook for psychological operations specialists in the United States
Psychological operations specialist job and salary trends over time
Psychological operations specialist jobs over time
Psychological operations specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 0 | 0.00% |
Average psychological operations specialist salary over time
Psychological operations specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $51,582 | $24.80 | +5.4% |
| 2025 | $48,951 | $23.53 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $47,512 | $22.84 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $46,344 | $22.28 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $45,545 | $21.90 | +2.3% |
Psychological operations specialist jobs by state
Most common states for psychological operations specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 159 | 21% |
| 2 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 184 | 17% |
| 3 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 489 | 16% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 93 | 16% |
| 5 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 604 | 15% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 130 | 15% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,055 | 14% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 788 | 14% |
| 9 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 262 | 14% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 104 | 14% |
| 11 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,386 | 13% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,139 | 13% |
| 13 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 880 | 13% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 397 | 13% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 365 | 13% |
| 16 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 223 | 13% |
| 17 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 177 | 13% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 141 | 13% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,205 | 12% |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 670 | 12% |
Most common cities for psychological operations specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $36,044 |
Psychological Operations Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of psychological operations specialist experts
University of Houston - Downtown
Evangel University
Edinboro University
Hiram College
Georgia Institute of Technology
University of Connecticut
Golden Gate University
Brigham Young University-Idaho
State University of New York at New Paltz
The University of Akron
New York University
University of Minnesota
American Psychological Association
Kit Cho
Associate Professor of PsychologyUniversity of Houston - Downtown
Psychology
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychological Operations Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Kit Cho: Owing to the pandemic, many employees are now working remotely. Given some of the benefits associated with working remotely (e.g., reduction of commute time), this is a trend that is likely to become more prevalent and well-accepted. As such, having strong time-management skills and self-regulated learning skills will become more important, because the work-life balance can be blurred when one is working from home. Thus, a successful employee will need to learn how to create a work schedule and environment that is most conducive to productivity for him/her.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Psychological Operations Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Kit Cho: Artificial intelligence, especially machine learning, continues to shape our lives. Developing skills to analyze, synthesize, and interpret large data sets will be especially important to create and refine. Fortunately, almost all psychology curricula include courses that help students acquire these skills.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Psychological Operations Specialists in the next 5 years?
Kit Cho: Increase. Whether willing or unwillingly, we all generate valuable data for companies to leverage in improving their technology. I do not foresee this trend disappearing anytime soon. The prevalence of artificial intelligence is likely to increase as our reliance on technological interventions to simplify our lives also increases.
Nicholas Hestand Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of ChemistryEvangel University
Department of Natural and Applied Science
What technical skills for a Psychological Operations Specialist stand out to employers?
Nicholas Hestand Ph.D.: I can only speculate because I am not an employer, but if I were, I would want to hire employees that are mature, independent, responsible, and have exceptional problem-solving skills. I would want my employees to take ownership of their projects and not need constant oversight to ensure that the job gets done correctly. Chemistry degree holders tend to be good problem solvers. Most other technical skills used by chemists (running lab equipment, following a protocol for a certain analysis, etc.) can be learned on the job. The skills mentioned above, however, are far harder to teach.
What's a good job out of college for Psychological Operations Specialists?
Nicholas Hestand Ph.D.: A good job is one that is enjoyable and fulfilling. I think it is really important that graduates look for work they find interesting and don't mind doing for at least 8 hours a day. Since so much time is spent at work, the quality of one's work experience has a large bearing on the overall quality of their life.
Of course, things like salary, benefits, and the potential for upward mobility are also important. However, I don't think recent graduates should be too picky in this regard when looking for their first job. The most important thing is getting a foot in the door, establishing yourself as a good employee, and gaining the skills necessary to progress in your career.
What's a good job out of college for Psychological Operations Specialists?
Lisa Unico Ph.D.: Many, if not most, entry-level positions in biotechnology and chemical industries have shifted from direct employment to contract employment through temporary employment agencies. Thus, many new graduates may find that they must work initially for a temp agency and then after several months to a year, they will be able to be hired to work for their host companies directly. Unfortunately, temporary employers may offer fewer benefits and/or lower pay, but they do provide entry-level access to careers that will provide high pay, good benefits and opportunities for advancement.
Amber Chenoweth Ph.D.
Associate Professor of PsychologyHiram College
Department of Psychology
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychological Operations Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Amber Chenoweth Ph.D.: -One thing many companies have embraced with the pandemic is remote work. Prior to this pandemic, many places thought that employees could only be productive in the office environment, which is simply not the case. As the pandemic comes to an end (in the, hopefully, near future), I think we're likely to see some companies demonstrate flexibility with their employees, allowing some to remain 100% remote or perhaps arrange hybrid schedules (e.g., 2 days in the office, 3 remote).
-Specifically related to careers in the social sciences, we're likely to see an increased need for those working in mental health since the pandemic has exacerbated a number of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. We'll likely need individuals trained in mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, social work, as well as home personal care aides and public health.
What skills stand out on Psychological Operations Specialist resumes?
Amber Chenoweth Ph.D.: -Communication will always be at the top of the list of skills that job-seekers need to have, both written and oral. And with the previously mentioned increase in remote work, job-seekers need to be especially proficient in a variety of technologies used to communicate, including video conferencing platforms, like Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
-Cultural competence has also been increasing in importance over the last several years. We have been witness to numerous protests amid the pandemic, and it further highlights the need for individuals to be able to understand and work with those who are different from them. Individuals who can demonstrate experience working with those who are different from them are likely to have an advantage. This could be demonstrated on a resume through study abroad experience, internship or volunteer experiences with diverse populations, and/or coursework specifically focused on understanding diversity, both within the U.S. and globally.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Psychological Operations Specialists to find work opportunities?
Amber Chenoweth Ph.D.: -I’m partial to the Midwest, but likely any areas near big cities will be more likely to have work opportunities in the fields I’ve mentioned above. However, with remote working options, the emerging workforce may not have to be as location-bound as we once were.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychological Operations Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Keaton Fletcher: I'm not an economist, but I would expect that we'll see the job market get tighter, in general, than it's been. Companies, generally, are feeling the squeeze and have been for a while now. One of the first cuts they tend to make will be in non-essential activities like HR departments, R&D;, training. They may also start outsourcing some of this to consulting groups if it's things they absolutely have to have but don't want to retain an employee for. I think we'll see growth, though, in organizations that have been doing particularly well during the pandemic. They will have the ability to hire, to take risks, and to pursue non-essentials (e.g., process improvements, R&D;, etc.). There may be a particular market within these organizations for people with skills that can help them evaluate the impact of the changes they have had to make on their employees, customers, and other stakeholders.
What Psychological Operations Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Keaton Fletcher: For students who received their degrees in experimental psychology who take a gap year, focusing on learning statistical analysis in some of the more widely available platforms (Excel and R) will always be helpful. R is particularly useful because it has really broad applications so you can move past statistical analysis and into other forms of programming. Excel is really helpful because just about every corporate job will rely on Excel for their basic statistical analysis. For both R and Excel, YouTube is a goldmine of content. The plus side for this is that it's free. The downside is that there's no structure which means you might not know where to start or where to go because you don't know what you don't know. But also, there's no one holding you accountable, and you don't have any skin in the game. You can pay for an online course or a subscription to something like SkillShare which will provide more structure, and because you've paid to use it, you're more likely to follow through.
What general advice would you give to a Psychological Operations Specialist?
Keaton Fletcher: I know that if I were graduating right now, I'd be concerned that I'm not starting my career the right way. But the secret is that there's really no "right" way to start your career. Careers look different for everyone – some stay at the same company, working their way up, others bounce around every few years, and others go back to school once or twice and may even change career paths entirely. Things are really uncertain right now, so you can use that time and uncertainty to play around with different potential career paths, figuring out what types of jobs are even out there, and what fits well for you. Does it require more schooling or certification? Are there specific skills you need to pick up? Can you see yourself doing this for the next five years? If you are considering pursuing further education, is the cost of the program (and the opportunity cost you pay by not working) worth it to you?
Gerald Altmann Ph.D.
ProfessorUniversity of Connecticut
Department of Psychological Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychological Operations Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Gerald Altmann Ph.D.: There are going to be short- and long-term trends. Mental health will be a big issue, and the impact of the pandemic on mental health, in schools or in the workplace, will take a while to be felt. But it will be. So there will be increased demand for clinical services, and increased applications to courses in Clinical Psychology (and any good course in Clinical will have a substantial emphasis on Experimental – how else can one evaluate the efficacy of interventions and therapies? And if one is not familiar with the scientific investigation of brain and mind, how can one use that science to develop new approaches to brain and mind when they require intervention?) But job markets will also diversify to reflect different working practices now that working at a distance has become more acceptable and practical.
Perhaps the biggest trend in the job market will be the requirement for flexibility: different modes of working, of studying, of managing; being able to talk the language of more than one specialist topic; and being able to deal with different people, cultures, and languages. The pandemic has taught us that the world is not limited by geography but by internet access. Many jobs already reflect that (global finance, banking, logistics, advertising and marketing, and more).
Psychology, and Experimental Psychology in particular, is an excellent general degree that gives students the needed stepping stone to go into the psychology professions or to go into other professions that require numeracy, programming skills, analytic skills, the ability to use statistics to predict outcomes or evaluate the utility of different approaches, and so on. Psychologists will be particularly sought after given their awareness of people’s abilities and limitations. This will be particularly important as we move more online where communicative skill and an ability to manage people will become even more important than it is now.
What Psychological Operations Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gerald Altmann Ph.D.: Technical skills such as using different statistical tools (e.g., learning R and Python) will be hugely advantageous. But understanding statistics and how to use them will be even more important. There are some excellent online tools for self-learning (e.g., Datacamp) and some excellent online resources for learning about current trends in AI and machine learning (e.g. ,Medium). And of course, languages. Spanish or Chinese are the obvious ones, but sometimes learning a different language such as Thai or Vietnamese can make you stand out. And cooking. Learn to cook in whatever language you learn. That WILL make you stand out.
What general advice would you give to a Psychological Operations Specialist?
Gerald Altmann Ph.D.: Be positive. It is too easy to imagine that the economy is tanking and with it, job prospects. Nothing could be further from the truth. The economy will pick up, and employers will be looking for people with the unique skills that Experimental Psychology provides. But once you have that first job, it’s all about professionalism, time management, and pride in what you do and what you have to offer. And that first job is just that – a first job; the first step in a series. Be strategic. But so long as you have pride in what you do, follow where it takes you – follow your instincts for what will feed that pride. A career is a trajectory – think of a rock rolling down a hill; not necessarily a smooth path, but always moving.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychological Operations Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Kathy Langsam: The biggest trend in the current job market given the pandemic is Telehealth. Except in crisis situations, all therapy is being conducted via telephone or through various online platforms. The need for clinicians is increasing due to the demand of more folks seeking therapeutic services. The increase in client demand is two-fold; first, increase of depression and anxiety as a result of the pandemic and second, many folks are more comfortable to engage in virtual as opposed to in-person therapy.
What Psychological Operations Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kathy Langsam: Volunteer opportunities are the best option if a graduate needs to take a gap year. While graduates won't be able to provide direct therapy, volunteer opportunities can be found on hotlines, i.e., suicide, warm-lines for seniors and youth; mentorships working with children. Also jobs as Case Managers often only require a college degree. These opportunities offer graduates experience to directly work with people in the behavioral health system, refining their skills in assessment, crisis management and referrals.
What general advice would you give to a Psychological Operations Specialist?
Kathy Langsam: The best advice for folks beginning their career is flexibility, not getting so focused on one specific population or service provider. The more experience, the more diverse will provide the highest potential for clinical growth and career options.
Yohan Delton Ph.D.
Head for the Industrial Organizational Psychology EmphasisBrigham Young University-Idaho
Department of Psychology
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychological Operations Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Yohan Delton Ph.D.: Hiring - The hiring trend has moved to online (Zoom, etc.) and Hirevue interviews. This requires a new set of skills such as preparing the surroundings of the interviewee interview space, connecting humanly, using face-to-camera gestures that are appropriate, and working on nerves (the interviewee usually gets visual cues of coming to a room for a meeting, whereas the interviewee is now through into the interview, usually from a home context and without that visual cue preparation).
Teams -The working trend has shifted to online teams instead of having team members travel to meet. More people are using programs like Cisco Webex, Zoom, Teams, etc., and apps like Asana, Slack, etc., hoping to find ways to communicate properly. This requires prioritization of tasks across electronic platforms and clarity of writing, previously avoided because face-to-face discussions were more common and were used for clarifications.
What skills stand out on Psychological Operations Specialist resumes?
Yohan Delton Ph.D.: Problem-solving, where the applicant is able to show an issue, show the solution is chosen, and show the impact of using some quantification.
Compassion, where the applicant is showing a significant amount of service work towards a cause.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Psychological Operations Specialists to find work opportunities?
Yohan Delton Ph.D.: Psychology students have a high level of understanding when it comes to the scientific method, and that has resulted in many jobs in Big Data and HR. The state of Washington has been particularly good, with Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Amazon, and Microsoft. The state of Arkansas has been great, particularly with Walmart. The state of Texas has also been a great place for our graduates. When it comes to clinical/counseling, our students have fared well wherever they have gone; there is less of a hot spot there.
What type of skills will young Psychological Operations Specialists need?
Dr. Glenn Geher: While each particular career has its unique kinds of needed skills, some of the necessary skills that are generally required across the board are presentational skills (both written and oral), teamwork abilities, and leadership capacities (such as being able to chair a committee effectively). Also, the ability to collect and integrate information and prepare a report for several potential audiences (colleagues, customers, administrators, the general public, etc.) is an invaluable skill that goes a long way in any career.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Psychological Operations Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Glenn Geher: These days, there is an increasing need for people with research and statistical backgrounds. Large dot.com companies (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, OkCupid, etc.) are in massive need of people with these backgrounds. In terms of the mental health field, mental health counseling experiences, school counseling, and social work are increasingly needed in locations across the nation, based on current trends.
How do you envision technology impacting Psychological Operations Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Glenn Geher: To put it simply: you snooze, you lose. No matter what field you go into, necessary technical skills and the ability to learn new such skills will be perennially important moving forward. Basic word-processing, spreadsheet, web-development, and social media skills -- along with specialized technological skills tied to particular areas (e.g., R or SPSS for research jobs) -- will be invaluable moving forward.
What type of skills will young Psychological Operations Specialists need?
Dr. Paul Levy Ph.D.: Critical Thinking, Communication Skills, Flexible Thinking, Problem Solving, Cultural Competence
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Psychological Operations Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Paul Levy Ph.D.: Psychology majors provide excellent liberal arts education, and the skills developed in liberal arts majors, like Psychology, are extremely marketable across the country. We see now an increased interest in Psychology and liberal arts majors from the tech industry. There are many, many articles in the popular press and places like Inc. magazine that talk about this trend and why this industry is hiring liberal arts graduates – it comes down to the skillset that I discussed above.
How do you envision technology impacting Psychological Operations Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Paul Levy Ph.D.: More and more liberal arts graduates will be hired for the reasons I’ve discussed above.
What experience really stands out on Psychological Operations Specialist resumes?
Mark Alter Ph.D.: I look for experience working with a range of students. I look to see if the student talks to a category (e.g., autistic kids) or talks to the humanness of the people they worked with. I look for signs of passion and commitment to education and, most important, evidence the student believes all kids can learn.
What Psychological Operations Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mark Alter Ph.D.: Gap year.. have fun! I would recommend they spend time learning about advocacy and how to do it, work with parent organizations, talk to parents, speak to kids with (and without) disabilities; gap year should be reflective. For example, answer questions such as do I want to be in a classroom? Do I believe all kids can learn? Do I see myself as a facilitator of learning? Do I think that parents play a significant role in their child's education, and I need to work with the whole family!
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Psychological Operations Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Mark Alter Ph.D.: Technology should be used to enhance teaching and learning; technology should enable quality of life (e.g., a person who is blind can use an app to read a menu ) and most important, SPED teacher should (must) be knowledgeable about assistive technology; which is a relative service on IEP (and free to parent and student).
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychological Operations Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Richard Douglass Ph.D.: Overall, there are likely to be fewer jobs as employers are forced to grapple with the economic fallout of COVID-19. Two trends come to mind when thinking about how the job market may change over the coming years. First, it seems that companies may begin to shift toward hiring more remote workers, even when it is safe to return to the office. Second, I believe there may be a rise in underemployed individuals. Much of the research related to COVID-19 and employment has focused on unemployment, but I'm working with my colleagues to examine COVID-19's impact on underemployment.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Psychological Operations Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Richard Douglass Ph.D.: Virtual reality is one piece of technology that is becoming more prevalent in psychology, and I can see its use spreading to other fields. Virtual reality is being used in various spaces, including in therapeutic interventions and in training designed to combat implicit bias.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Psychological Operations Specialists in the next 5 years?
Richard Douglass Ph.D.: This is difficult to predict, but I imagine the pronounced mental health impacts of COVID-19 may result in individuals realizing how serious mental health issues can be. People who have experienced mental health issues during COVID-19--or individuals who know others who have had issues--may be more likely to consider a future career in psychology.
Karen Stamm Ph.D.
Director of the Center for Workforce StudiesAmerican Psychological Association
What type of skills will young Psychological Operations Specialists need?
Karen Stamm Ph.D.: We consistently see communication, leadership, and collaboration as the top skills needed to perform just about any job. These skills were in demand prior to the pandemic, they continue to be in demand during the pandemic, and they will be even more important in the post-pandemic workforce. In addition, people who can adapt to change, be flexible, and learn new things will have an advantage.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Psychological Operations Specialists to find work opportunities?
Karen Stamm Ph.D.: Because psychology graduates work in many occupations, jobs are everywhere. It does take having a good understanding of your own skills, interests, and abilities, and then, using that understanding to guide your job search. I encourage anyone on the job market to think expansively, such as looking beyond job title, industry, work sector, or certain types of organizations.
How do you envision technology impacting Psychological Operations Specialists in the next 5 years?
Karen Stamm Ph.D.: It is unclear how greater reliance on technology in response to the pandemic will stick, but I am certain the role of technology will stick in some form. The pandemic has shown us that undertakings thought to be impossible are in fact achievable. For example, psychologists quickly learned how to provide services through telehealth, teachers engaged in distance learning, and office workers shifted to a virtual environment. While the shift to technology has some advantages (increased flexibility), it has disadvantages too (lack of broadband access in rural areas, equity issues). Also, technology may change jobs through artificial intelligence and automation. The good news for the field of psychology is that we are well-positioned for the future with skills that are inherently human and skills that are difficult to translate into technology. These human skills include the ones I previously mentioned, such as communication, leadership, and collaboration. Psychology is one of the fields that can address questions about human-technology interactions. This involves bringing psychology to real-world issues.