Refit
Career overview · SOC 19-3032

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.

Also called: Consulting Psychologist · I-O Practitioner (Industrial-Organizational Practitioner) · I-O Psychologist (Industrial-Organizational Psychologist) · Industrial Psychologist · Management Consultant · Organizational Consultant

Median pay (national)
$109,840
$51,880–$224,590 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
1,050
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+6.3%
~400 openings/yr
Typical entry
Master's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for industrial-organizational psychologists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $224,590 versus $51,880 at the bottom 10% — 4.3x. The median of $109,840 leaves roughly 104% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +6.3% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 400 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 3 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $140,540, +28% vs the national median), while Oregon sits lowest at $94,180 — a 49% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

Tailor your resume to Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Honest tailoring

See how your resume lines up with Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.

Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.

Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Science
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Provide advice on best practices and implementation for selection.
  • Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs.
  • Analyze data, using statistical methods and applications, to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of workplace programs.
  • Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
  • Observe and interview workers to obtain information about the physical, mental, and educational requirements of jobs, as well as information about aspects such as job satisfaction.
  • Facilitate organizational development and change.
  • Analyze job requirements and content to establish criteria for classification, selection, training, and other related personnel functions.
  • Advise management concerning personnel, managerial, and marketing policies and practices and their potential effects on organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Conduct presentations on research findings for clients or at research meetings.
  • Conduct individual assessments, including interpreting measures and providing feedback for selection, placement, or promotion.

Tools & technology

  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Oracle PeopleSoft
  • SAS
  • Assessment Systems Corporation XCALIBRE
  • Human resource information system (HRIS)
  • Learning management system LMS
  • Mentimeter
  • Muthen & Muthen Mplus
  • Padlet
  • Psychometric testing software
  • Scientific Software International BILOG-MG
  • Scientific Software International HLM
  • Scientific Software International LISREL
  • Scientific Software International MULTILOG

Knowledge areas

  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Psychology
  • Education and Training
  • Administration and Management
  • Mathematics
  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Law and Government