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Job outlook for sports psychologists in the United States
Are sports psychologist jobs in demand?
Sports psychologist job and salary trends over time
Sports psychologist jobs over time
Sports psychologist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 194 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 251 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 255 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 249 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 244 | 0.00% |
Average sports psychologist salary over time
Sports psychologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $79,617 | $38.28 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $78,001 | $37.50 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $76,794 | $36.92 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $74,899 | $36.01 | +2.5% |
| 2021 | $73,084 | $35.14 | +3.8% |
Sports psychologist jobs by state
Most common states for sports psychologists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 961,939 | 30 | 3% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 22 | 3% |
| 3 | California | 39,536,653 | 624 | 2% |
| 4 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 277 | 2% |
| 5 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 162 | 2% |
| 6 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 159 | 2% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 128 | 2% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 124 | 2% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 108 | 2% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 78 | 2% |
| 11 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 68 | 2% |
| 12 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 53 | 2% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 39 | 2% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 23 | 2% |
| 15 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 17 | 2% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 14 | 2% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 13 | 2% |
| 18 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 110 | 1% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 82 | 1% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 16 | 1% |
Most common cities for sports psychologists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $74,167 |
Sports Psychologist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of sports psychologist experts
University of Baltimore
Pacific Lutheran University
University of La Verne
Indiana University
SUNY Buffalo State
Azusa Pacific University
Pennsylvania State University
Mars Hill University
Regent University
New York University
Albright College
Marian University - Indianapolis
Gupta College of Science
Mr. Ethan Gologor
(Interim) Dean of Liberal ArtsWhat general advice would you give to a Sports Psychologist?
Mr. Ethan Gologor: Because in the last few decades, the "mental game" has become a theme in all sports. Even running is not just about the legs or lungs, but about how you think and feel, which are determinants of motivation.
What Sports Psychologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mr. Ethan Gologor: They can take the lessons learned and apply them to their own life and activities, not just sport or exercise or performance of many kinds, but work and school. Visualizing your goals is a prime example.
What is disliked is that reaching the top may be a goal that many aspire too, but is often not achieved by the majority. But there us plenty to be said about achieving different rungs of the success ladder.
What will help Sports Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Mr. Ethan Gologor: If he gets attached to an individual athlete or team, he notes the trends in games or matches and alerts the coaches or managers to his observations.
He may also do research in a number of related areas.
Dr. A. Wright Ph.D., ABAP, ABPP
Clinical Associate ProfessorWhat will help Sports Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Dr. A. Wright Ph.D., ABAP, ABPP: Graduates in counseling psychology have a great number of different skills, and they shouldn't limit themselves to traditional clinical practice settings only. The doctoral degree in counseling psychology--and the license as a psychologist--allows these professionals to practice in many different areas. The most obvious ones, such as private practice clinical work, doing clinical work in clinics and hospitals, or going into academia as researchers and faculty, are a great fit for many graduates. However, all the skills gained in a doctoral program in counseling psychology transfer seamlessly to many other areas and industries, as understanding human behaviors, emotional development, and wellness are applicable widely.
What will help Sports Psychologists increase their earning potential?
Madeline Stenersen: I think one of the biggest pieces of advice I would give to a graduate beginning their career in the field of counseling psychology is to explore and think broadly about all of the possibilities that this degree can bring. With a PhD in this field you can be a full time clinician, a teacher at a university, a director of a clinical center, a full time researcher, or any of the combination of the above! Because all of these opportunities can be exciting and scary at the same time I would recommend that they look to the people in the field that are doing the things that they would love to do and reach out! Don't be afraid to apply for jobs that may seem out of reach. Sometimes Counseling Psychology is compared to Clinical Psychology and students are told that Clinical Psychology positions are out of reach. This is simply not true. I have worked alongside Clinical Psychologists and other wonderful mental health providers throughout my career and currently am a faculty member in a Clinical Psychology program. The sky's the limit and it really is an opportune time for this degree as the field of psychology broadly recognizes the increasing need to focus on cultural humility, DEI, and cross-cultural work - practices that Counseling Psychology has focused on throughout the history of the field.
John Donahue Psy.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Baltimore
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Sports Psychologist?
John Donahue Psy.D.: I recommend continuing your training and education so that you can develop specialty areas. What areas of mental health practice are most meaningful to you? Perhaps it is working with a certain problem area (e.g., anxiety disorders); perhaps it is working with a particular group of people (e.g., children, military veterans, etc.); perhaps it is a type of therapeutic modality (e.g., Prolonged Exposure for PTSD). Whatever it may be, by continuing to train in specific areas such as these, you can develop the necessary expertise to become a specialist that is sought after because of the particular skills and abilities you bring to the table.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sports Psychologists?
Michelle Ceynar Ph.D.: How could there not? The pandemic will likely result in lasting changes to all facets of our lives. I think the pandemic will likely change the way that employers function and their expectations for employees. This might have some positive effects in that we know that people can be productive working remotely so more people may have access to that flexibility. On the other hand, we've learned that people really do need to have some in-person connection with others. Young graduates who are starting their careers will have the opportunity to reshape their working environment in meaningful ways, bringing the best of both worlds together.
What experience really stands out on Sports Psychologist resumes?
Michelle Ceynar Ph.D.: Experiential learning experiences such as internships, research projects or service learning have the potential to make a student stand out from other applicants. Taking advantage of those opportunities can show a potential employee is willing to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real world situations.
What type of skills will young Sports Psychologists need?
Jerry Kernes Ph.D.: Effective communication is going to be most important. Graduates' written and verbal skills need to be sharp. Demonstrating a sense of empathy for others is now more important than ever. Self-awareness, so-called "soft skills" are important as well. The pandemic has shown that graduates need to build up their resiliency reserves to help them navigate prolonged isolation from friends and loved ones.
What experience really stands out on Sports Psychologist resumes?
Jerry Kernes Ph.D.: Demonstrating that one has found ways to go above and beyond, in the service of others, stands out for me.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sports Psychologists?
Dr. David Shriberg Ph.D.: All of our graduates in May had their last few months of internship altered due to COVID-19 and now have entered the field during this time of a global pandemic. Long term, I think our program's graduates will remain extremely competitive and successful. In the short term, this situation has certainly forced all of them to adapt, so putting a positive spin on things perhaps this will help them to be more adaptive throughout their careers as they are learning early on the importance of flexibility and adaptability.
Dr. Robert P. Delprino
Professor and Assistant DeanSUNY Buffalo State
Department of Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Sports Psychologist?
Dr. Robert P. Delprino: Patience - recent graduates have contacted me to discuss with some frustration that they are not making advances in their career as quickly as they wish or expected. They may need to be reminded that they are just beginning their career and that there are no short cuts to developing the knowledge, skills, and abilities that will allow them to be successful.
Most undergraduate programs, and this may be especially true in psychology, provide a survey of the field of study. Students are exposed to a smattering of information of the many areas of psychology. This may be true of most undergraduate degree programs.
Just as there are no shortcuts to acquiring the knowledge of the field, it also takes time to develop the practical skills and knowledge that allows one to successfully operate within an organization and with others. Most students are never introduced, even in some business programs, to the value of understanding and evaluating the behavior of others or how the organization influences its members behavior.
For some individuals, reaching some level of achievement, such as a degree or title within an organization, means the learning process ends. Gaining knowledge of one's field of study as well as insight of one's strengths and weaknesses are a continuous process. Regardless of the stage of a career, there is value in honestly assessing one's abilities. By doing so, they may find greater success and life satisfaction in pursuing their strengths rather than weaknesses, but this means taking the time to self-assess and seek feedback from others.
A graduate beginning their career should realize that the hard and difficult work they are doing now is exactly what they need and should be doing to achieve future mastery and success in their career.
What type of skills will young Sports Psychologists need?
Chong Ho (Alex) Yu Ph.D.: In the era of big data analytics, many positions require analytical skills. Traditional statistics become insufficient and even outdated. Young graduates need to equip themselves with data science skills, such as AI, machine learning, ensemble methods. I don't mean they have to learn how to write a computer program. But at least they should learn the basic concepts and applications.
What experience really stands out on Sports Psychologist resumes?
Chong Ho (Alex) Yu Ph.D.: Two things can make the resume shiny. Students should go beyond their classes and textbooks. First, when they work with faculty in research internship programs, they can co-author research papers and co-present them in conferences. These research projects and presentations show that they can apply what they learned in professional settings. Second, if they cannot be a presenter, they should, at least, attend conferences, seminars, and workshops related to their field. Most of these conferences and workshops are free to students. Due to the pandemic, today, almost all of them are online and; therefore, there will be no travel expenses at all.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sports Psychologists?
Gina M. Brelsford Ph.D.: It is hard to tell what the enduring impact will be for current college students and graduate students. The economic challenges may pose difficulties in certain industries more than others. The upside of psychology graduate students and undergraduates is that they have skill sets that are highly desirable during and after this pandemic. Unfortunately, mental health needs are skyrocketing and will have a ripple effect for years to come. Thus, the need for both bachelor's level and master's level of psychological work will be more important than ever.
Ann Peiffer Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorMars Hill University
Department of Psychology, Art Therapy
How do you envision technology impacting Sports Psychologists in the next 5 years?
Ann Peiffer Ph.D.: -Telehealth has been adapted in the mental health field and has room for improvement in therapeutic intervention delivery. Several pieces of the therapeutic experience, however, have not adapted to this delivery system. Therefore, advances could be made to assist clients by enhancing the connection between therapists and clients over telehealth. This will benefit rural availability to therapy if it remains as a billable hour once the pandemic situation clears.
-Artificial intelligence is advancing as computing power enhances to process more complicated algorithms for describing, labeling, and predicting human behavior. These algorithms will be seen as "objective" measures of human ability and mental fitness; however, there are ethical implications to these and the adaptability of these algorithms for changes in society's normalcy view. Is mental health-driven an adaptation to the environment, and changing the environment changes mental health, or is it biologically driven and treated as a condition? Is it both? What does it mean to label and carry a stigma? Finally, we have to keep in mind that looking back and explaining how someone got to where they are is often much more comfortable and definitive of critical periods or situations than taking a person and predicting where they will end up.
-There is the current development of emotional intelligence toys and games to establish prosocial and empathetic behavior in children. It will be interesting to see the impact this education will have on developing the next generation of individuals and how they interact with digital technology.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sports Psychologists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Daniel Holland Ph.D.: The increasing awareness of the importance of mental health care, the widespread acceptance of the benefits of counseling, and the retirement rate among many providers will likely continue to create an increased need for counselors, no matter where one would like to practice.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Sports Psychologists in the next 5 years?
Karthik Gunnia Psy.D.: I strongly believe there will be a significant increase in demand for graduates over the next five years. Given the pandemic, more people than ever can benefit from counseling. Teletherapy, in eliminating a commute to and from an office, makes accessing treatment more convenient. I think even after the pandemic "ends," there will be a lengthy adjustment period and substantial effects from the challenges and trauma experienced during this time. In that sense, I believe the increased need for adequately trained counselors will persist for at least the next 3-5 years.
Brenda Ingram-Wallace Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology; Director of Counseling ServicesAlbright College
Psychology Department; Gable Health and Counseling Center
What skills stand out on Sports Psychologist resumes?
Brenda Ingram-Wallace Ph.D.: Internships and practicums, where you can work with clients and incorporate some technology aspects, will help recent graduates stand out from their peers. Possessing familiarity with therapeutic computer applications and their utility for various mental health concerns will be a plus.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Sports Psychologists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Laurel Camp Ph.D.: During the pandemic, technology has served a critical function to keep people connected to their job, friends, and family and provide a way to order food and supplies needed for daily life. From a psychological perspective, while technology allowed people to stay socially connected, many people crave shared experiences and a type of intimacy that only in-person contact can provide. In psychology, teletherapy will continue to be an essential option for people who have barriers that prevent them from getting mental health services and those who prefer the convenience of teletherapy.
Developers of technology communication will need to be even more creative in the future. Psychologists have noted that people are finding the monotony of interacting in the same remote ways, making them less motivated and socially engaged during video conferencing and chats. Some indicate that they now prefer a phone call or a handwritten letter because it seems more personal and intimate. However, even the best technology cannot provide the in-person contact that people, as social beings, need, so psychologists will need to help people navigate productive use of technology and safe, in-person connections.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Sports Psychologists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Laurel Camp Ph.D.: I think that there will be an increase in demand for psychology graduates in the next five years. Psychology is a people-oriented major that flexibly adapts to a wide range of careers. Psychology majors tend to be good problem-solvers, communicators, adaptive learners, and good team workers. I think that the ability to apply these soft skills and an understanding of human behavior to diverse fields in medicine, law, politics, social services, business, and many other areas makes psychology graduates valuable in uncertain economic times.
Careers related to mental health are likely to see a massive increase in demand. Increased mental illness, mental fatigue, and emotional dysregulation leading to acts of violence are being seen in children, frontline workers, parents, and many other groups today. People in general report feeling overwhelmed, incompetent, and lonely. The pandemic and unhealthy political climate have also contributed to increased anxiety, depression, addictions, and family violence. Most psychology majors can think creatively (outside-the-box), take on leadership roles, gather, organize, and analyze data, communicate effectively with diverse people and through social media as they adjust to emerging jobs. It will be necessary for students to understand how their soft skills and experiences have prepared them for a specific job and communicate that to employers.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Sports Psychologists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Terry Pettijohn Ph.D.: While psychology graduates do not always earn high salaries as business and other specialized fields, psychology graduates do vital and rewarding work. In response to COVID-19, psychology is predicted to see job growth to meet the demand for an increased need for mental health services and other psychological skills. There will be plenty of new positions studying human behavior and mental health and finding ways to apply psychology to encourage mentally and physically healthy behaviors in a post-COVID-19 world.
What general advice would you give to a Sports Psychologist?
Terry Pettijohn Ph.D.: My general advice for a new psychology graduate would be to be flexible and draw upon your undergraduate training in psychology to highlight your excellent communication and critical thinking skills. Given changes to the way people are working today, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, communication skills have never been more urgent. Flexibility is needed to meet the changing work environment, whether working in a newly designed office space, out in the field, or from home.
The critical thinking skills learned from studying research methods and psychology content areas will be crucial to solving new problems in the future. Just think of how your life is different today than it was a year ago, before the pandemic hit with lockdown orders, social distancing, and mask-wearing. Psychology graduates are specially trained for dealing with people, emphasizing creative and adaptive ways to solve problems, communicate, and think critically to help others. Psychologists will be quite valuable to tackle the unique challenges of increased mental health issues related to COVID-19.