Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Also called: Consulting Psychologist, Engineering Psychologist, HR Consultant (Human Resources Consultant), HR OD Consultant (Human Resources Organizational Development Consultant), HR Psychologist (Human Resources Psychologist), I-O Practitioner (Industrial-Organizational Practitioner), I-O Psychologist (Industrial-Organizational Psychologist), Industrial Psychologist
Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems.
What industrial-organizational psychologists do
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Coach senior executives and managers on leadership and performance.
- Conduct individual assessments, including interpreting measures and providing feedback for selection, placement, or promotion.
- Train clients to administer human resources functions, including testing, selection, and performance management.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists salary
The median annual wage for industrial-organizational psychologists is $193,950 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $79,010 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $247,220. The mean annual wage is $170,230.
The mean hourly wage of $81.00 is 11.2× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $193,950 → in 3 years $204,800 → in 5 years $212,400 → in 10 years $232,600 (10-year range $200,100–$270,100). The model assumes pay growth of +1.8% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Industrial-Organizational Psychologists? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become industrial-organizational psychologists
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as industrial-organizational psychologists
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.