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Industrial-Organizational Psychologists Growth Expected To Continue In Chicago

The field of industrial-organizational psychologists is for the most part, a career that is not heard of often, but it is growing tremendously and is expected to continue to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, it is the fastest growing occupation and is expected to grow 53% from 2012-2022.

This highly specialized career focuses on human behavior in work environments. Industrial-organizational psychologists center on individual, group and organizational behavior and apply this knowledge to the resolutions of complications at work. To put it simply, industrial-organizational psychologists try to make the workplace a satisfying atmosphere. When employees are in a pleasing environment, they are generally happier and typically more productive.

The national average for a wage in this career is $90,000, and this varies greatly depending on the geographic region where the position is located, the years of experience of the candidate, the type of companies they have worked for and the company that they are currently working for. Individuals with a Ph.D. starting out can expect to average about $55,000.

For those considering a career as an industrial-organizational psychologist, it is important to keep in mind that a significant amount of schooling needs to be completed. While it is possible to get a position with a master's degree, those who hold a Ph.D. will likely have more opportunities for available positions. Most industrial-organizational psychologists do hold a doctoral degree.

Industrial-organizational psychologists work in a variety of settings. They may work in an office building type setting or on construction sites and in factories. Some individuals in this profession choose to work as a consultant and therefore set their own hours and the clients they work for.

The American Psychological Association offers a large amount of information, such as education requirements, jobs and publications, as well as certification information, which varies depending upon each state's requirements.

Michelle Guilbeau is a writer, reviewer, teacher and business owner. She also has experience in school administration, literacy coaching and is proud founder of CraftKitsForKids.com and MichelleGuilbeau.com Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of cities, food, travel, education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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