Psychology Teachers
O*NET title: Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Also called: Abnormal Psychology Teacher, Adjunct Instructor, Adjunct Professor, Adjunct Psychology Faculty Member, Adjunct Psychology Instructor, Adjunct Psychology Professor
Median pay
$80,340
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$49,050 – $153,600
People employed
41,530
Holland code
SIA
Social · Investigative · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 2.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 4.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 5.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 6.Do you want the same hours every week?
Psychology Teachers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What psychology teachers do
- 01Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as abnormal psychology, cognitive processes, and work motivation.
- 02Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- 03Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- 04Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- 05Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- 06Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Skills that matter most
- Learning Strategies
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Psychology
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cooperation
- Achievement Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from psychology teachers
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses82% · group pay
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education81% · −10%
- Speech-Language Pathologists80% · +22%
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School80% · −8%
- Genetic Counselors80% · +25%
Change into psychology teachers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses82% · $97,550
- Marriage and Family Therapists82% · $66,940
- Neuropsychologists82% · $110,840
- School Psychologists82% · $95,990
- Clinical Neuropsychologists81% · $110,840
Majors that lead here
- Psychology Teacher Education
- Biopsychology
- Behavioral Sciences
- Thanatology
- Psychology, General
- Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics
- Comparative Psychology
- Developmental and Child Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
- Personality Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.