For Educators: Military Resources
Military Psychologists
Median Salary
98,203
Workforce Count
12,605
Overview
What are the responsibilities of this role?
Psychologists plan, direct, and administer programs that ensure delivery of effective mental health services to military personnel. They utilize psychological principles, theories, and techniques through direct patient care and consultation, as well as oversee educational programs related to the investigation, evaluation, and treatment of mental illness and behavioral disorders. They develop policies to promote mental health awareness and perform experiments to determine the effects of various environmental factors on human behavior, adjustment, and performance.
What is the work environment like?
Psychologists usually work in offices, hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities on land and aboard ships.
How many people have this role in the Military?
12,605
Compensation
Understanding How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary
Base pay is the standard income you’ll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.
- Always fixed based on rank and service time.
- Distributed monthly.
What is the typical salary range?
Salary by Years of Service
$127,758
2 Years
$89,901
6 Years
$127,758
10+ Years
Median Salary
Military Details
What Service Branches offer this role?
Is this a staff or leadership role?
Officers are service members who plan, direct operations and manage enlisted personnel, developing a broad range of leadership-related skills.
Learn More About Enlisted and Officer PathsWhat does the training for this role entail?
Job training for psychologists primarily consists of on-the-job learning in various training environments. Advanced education and training opportunities are available in some specialties, as well as access to sophisticated technologies, research methods, and opportunities to consult with leading military and civilian researchers, as well as the other professional growth opportunities such as attending professional development courses, research seminars, and academic conferences. Like other officers working in healthcare, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, orientation to military structure, healthcare, etiquette, traditions, and leadership development.
Education
What level of education do professionals in this role have?
Which college majors best prepare you for this role?
- Psychology, General
- Counseling Psychology
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Clinical Psychology
- Health/Medical Psychology
- Developmental and Child Psychology
- Clinical Child Psychology
- Family Psychology
- Geropsychology
- Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
Learn About How Military Can Pay for 100% of your College Degree
The Military has several programs that cover college costs — so you can pursue your education with little to no debt.
Learn More About Paying For CollegeSkills and Interest
What knowledge is essential to bring to the table?
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Sociology and Anthropology
What personality traits help people thrive in this role?
Social
You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.
Investigative
You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.
RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.
Take the RIASEC Test