工作内容
心理学家职责要求
- 研究行为及大脑功能；
- 通过观察、采访、调查、测试及其他方式收集信息；
- 找到更合理的理解行为表现的模式；
- 运用专业知识理解个人与集体的关系；
- 撰写研究著作提升学校及工作岗位的专业发展；
- 与个人、夫妻或家庭搭档，帮助他们改变行为；
- 确认并诊断心理、行为或情感的不稳定因素；
- 实施治疗计划；
- 联合医师或社会工作者治疗病患
心理学家职业分类
- 临床心理学家（Clinical psychologists ）：判断、诊断并及时治疗病患不正常的行为表现。部分临床心理学家根据职业需求有专门针对的人群，如：儿童或老人——
- 医疗心理医生（Health psychologists）：研究心理因素如何影响人的健康。
- 神经心理医生（Neuropsychologists）：研究大脑与行为之间的关系。
- *在美国只有路易斯安那州和新墨西哥州允许心理医生注射药物治疗病患，其他州要求只有精神科医生和医生才可以使用药物治疗。
- 咨询心理医生（Counseling psychologists）：帮助有需要的人们解决问题；
- 发展心理医生（Developmental psychologists）：研究人一生中心理过程和发展情况；
- 法学心理医生（Forensic psychologists）：通常在法庭中是专业目击证人，在法庭或司法系统中帮助人们更好的了解案情；
- 工业组织心理学家（Industrial-organizational psychologists）：运用专业知识解决员工生活中遇到的问题；
- 学校心理医生（School psychologists）：从事教育行业；
- 社会心理学家（Social psychologists）：研究社交中如何影响人的心理和行为。*(6)
工作环境
根据美国劳工局2012年5月公布的最新统计数据表明，心理医生主要在政府部门、诊所、教育行业担任职位。
遵照2010年美国劳工局统计数据显示，心理医生从业人数共174000人，其中，34%的人员选择自雇经营，29%的人员从事教育行业，20%的人员选择医疗卫生行业。
从事临床心理医生职业通常都有自己的办公室；其他办公地点包括：诊所、医院、康复机构、社区及心理健康中心。大部分从事研究的心理医生选择在大学、政府部门或私企等地方工作。
大部分学校心理医生大多在公立学校，从卫校到学院不等；也包括私立学校、大学、医院诊所、社区诊所等。
自雇经营者工作时间不固定，通常夜间和周末仍需工作；从事医院、护理诊所或其他康复机构任职的人员也会有轮班倒；在诊所、政府部门、工业或学校工作的工作时间比较固定。*(7)
| 心理医生行业一览表*(1) | |||||
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage | |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 联邦行政机构 | 6,460 | 0.32 | $42.26 | $87,910.00 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 其他医师办公室 | 1,310 | 0.18 | $42.77 | $88,970.00 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 高等教育 | 520 | 0.02 | $32.40 | $67,380.00 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 医院 | 380 | 0.01 | $44.67 | $92,910.00 |
| Offices of Physicians | 诊所医师 | 270 | 0.01 | $40.81 | $84,890.00 |
| Educational Support Services | 教育支持服务业 | 120 | 0.08 | $40.48 | $84,190.00 |
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | 精神病院 | 120 | 0.05 | $32.22 | $67,020.00 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 科研与开发 | 240 | 0.04 | $45.65 | $94,950.00 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 中小学教育 | 210 | $48.26 | $100,380.00 | |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 门诊服务中心 | 80 | 0.01 | $48.03 | $99,900 |
| 临床心理医生行业一览表*(2) | |||||
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage | |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 中小学教育 | 42,060 | 0.51 | $34.49 | $71,730.00 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 其他医师办公室 | 13,740 | 1.91 | $38.83 | $80,760.00 |
| Individual and Family Services | 个人与家庭服务 | 6,920 | 0.53 | $31.12 | $64,730.00 |
| State Government (OES Designation) | 州政府机构 | 5,030 | 0.23 | $36.73 | $76,390.00 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 门诊服务中心 | 4,850 | 0.76 | $32.52 | $67,650.00 |
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | 精神病院 | 3,800 | 1.63 | $36.04 | $74,960.00 |
| Educational Support Services | 教育支持服务业 | 2,040 | 1.39 | $32.30 | $67,190.00 |
| Other Residential Care Facilities | 其他住宿设施 | 1,180 | 0.75 | $25.54 | $53,130.00 |
| Business Schools and Computer and Management Training | 商学院及计算机管理培训 | 30 | 0.04 | $48.22 | $100,310.00 |
| Employment Services | 就业服务 | 450 | 0.01 | $45.33 | $94,290.00 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | 退休社区服务与老人辅助生活设施 | 30 | $44.50 | $92,550 | |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 科研与开发 | 320 | 0.05 | $40.37 | $83,960 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | 专科医院（除精神病院） | 600 | 0.26 | $39.94 | $83,070 |
| 工业组织心理学家行业一览表*(3) | |||||
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage | |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 管理、科学及技术咨询 | 290 | 0.03 | $60.57 | $125,980 |
| State Government (OES Designation) | 州政府机构 | 180 | 0.01 | $32.43 | $67,440 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 科研与开发 | 120 | 0.02 | $51.85 | $107,850 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 其他医师办公室 | 60 | 0.01 | $49.71 | $103,400 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 中小学教育 | 60 | 0 | $36.37 | $75,650 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 高等教育 | 50 | 0 | $31.31 | $65,120 |
入行门槛
心理医生要求硕士学位及以上，其中，职业医师仍需资格认证。大部分从事临床、咨询和研究领域的心理医生需要博士学位，学习期间要进行1年的实习机会。从事学校心理医生职业人员需具备最低硕士学位；硕士学位专业毕业生可从事工业组织心理学。而本科学位毕业生就业压力较大，可从事企业管理、销售或教育行业。
资格认证
在美国，凡是职业医师或心理学家要求具备资格认证。美国所有的州（包括哥伦比亚特区），自雇经营者需具备职业认证。不同的州及职位要求不一：大部分从事临床及咨询职位的心理学家需具备心理学博士学位、实习、1-2年的工作经验并通过职业心理学考试。
从事学校心理医生职位者需经过州内教育部的认证。除此以外，美国国家学校心理学家协会授予美国认证学校心理学家（the Nationally Certified School Psychologist, NCSP）称号。目前，全美30多个州认证许可；学生要获得此认证需具备专业心理学60个学分，实习1200学分并通过全美心理学考试。
美国职业心理学委员会授予13种心理学资格认证，如：临床医疗、夫妻与家庭、心理分析师等。
技能·品质
- 分析能力（Analytical skills）
- 沟通能力（Communication skills）
- 观察能力（Observational skills）
- 耐心（Patience）
- 为人处事能力（People skills）
- 解决问题能力（Problem-solving skills）
- 诚信（Trustworthiness）*(5)
就业展望与薪资
2015年
- 心理医生
美国从业人数最多州（前五）：
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Florida | 1,520 | 0.19 | 2.13 | $43.42 | $90,310 |
| California | 1,490 | 0.1 | 1.07 | $47.14 | $98,060 |
| Massachusetts | 740 | 0.22 | 2.42 | $40.22 | $83,670.00 |
| Illinois | 660 | 0.11 | 1.25 | $59.79 | $124,360 |
| New York | 640 | 0.07 | 0.8 | $53.17 | $110,600.00 |
*(1)
美国产业最集中州（前五）：
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| District of Columbia | 200 | 0.29 | 3.26 | $43.79 | $91,090 |
| Massachusetts | 740 | 0.22 | 2.42 | $40.22 | $83,670 |
| Maryland | 490 | 0.19 | 2.1 | $48.49 | $100,860.00 |
| Florida | 1,520 | 0.19 | 2.13 | $43.42 | $90,310 |
| West Virginia | 100 | 0.15 | 1.64 | $37.46 | $77,910.00 |
*(1)
美国从业人数最多都会区：
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division | 490 | 0.28 | 3.09 | $38.12 | $79,300 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division | 440 | 0.12 | 1.38 | - | - |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 430 | 0.35 | 3.9 | $41.21 | $85,720 |
| New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division | 390 | 0.06 | 0.67 | $61.54 | $128,000 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division | 330 | 0.08 | 0.9 | $51.17 | $106,440 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 330 | 0.14 | 1.51 | $48.30 | $100,470 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 290 | 0.33 | 3.7 | $44.23 | $91,990 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 270 | 0.2 | 2.18 | $45.08 | $93,760 |
| Silver Spring-Frederick-Rockville, MD Metropolitan Division | 220 | 0.38 | 4.21 | $52.26 | $108,700 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 210 | 0.16 | 1.78 | $44.39 | $92,330 |
*(1)
美国产业业最集中都会区：
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Alexandria, LA | 40 | 0.6 | 6.62 | $52.61 | $109,420 |
| Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metropolitan Division | 130 | 0.47 | 5.24 | $46.96 | $97,670 |
| Silver Spring-Frederick-Rockville, MD Metropolitan Division | 220 | 0.38 | 4.21 | $52.26 | $108,700 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 430 | 0.35 | 3.9 | $41.21 | $85,720 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 60 | 0.35 | 3.86 | $41.17 | $85,630 |
| Eugene, OR | 50 | 0.34 | 3.82 | $43.14 | $89,720 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 290 | 0.33 | 3.7 | $44.23 | $91,990 |
| Gainesville, FL | 40 | 0.33 | 3.69 | $41.05 | $85,380 |
| Dayton, OH | 110 | 0.29 | 3.28 | $48.81 | $101,530 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division | 490 | 0.28 | 3.09 | $38.12 | $79,300 |
*(1)
- 临床心理医生（咨询、学校）
美国从业人数最多州（前五）：
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| California | 18,720 | 1.21 | 1.58 | $41.50 | $86,310 |
| New York | 10,540 | 1.17 | 1.53 | $41.74 | $86,820 |
| Texas | 5,550 | 0.48 | 0.63 | $30.83 | $64,130.00 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,250 | 0.92 | 1.2 | $33.38 | $69,420 |
| Massachusetts | 4,890 | 1.44 | 1.88 | $37.30 | $77,580.00 |
*(2)
美国产业最集中州（前五）：
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Massachusetts | 4,890 | 1.44 | 1.88 | $37.30 | $77,580 |
| Vermont | 420 | 1.37 | 1.79 | $28.71 | $59,710 |
| New Mexico | 1,040 | 1.3 | 1.7 | $31.00 | $64,470.00 |
| Hawaii | 750 | 1.21 | 1.57 | $39.71 | $82,610 |
| California | 18,720 | 1.21 | 1.58 | $41.50 | $86,310.00 |
*(2)
美国从业人数最多都会区：
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division | 6,850 | 1.06 | 1.38 | $43.96 | $91,440 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division | 5,310 | 1.29 | 1.69 | $38.60 | $80,300 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division | 2,470 | 0.69 | 0.9 | $32.86 | $68,340 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division | 2,160 | 1.23 | 1.6 | $38.02 | $79,080 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 2,100 | 1.12 | 1.46 | $36.43 | $75,770 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 1,720 | 0.91 | 1.19 | $29.67 | $61,720 |
| Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division | 1,690 | 1.6 | 2.09 | $44.04 | $91,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 1,530 | 0.63 | 0.83 | $42.66 | $88,730 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,520 | 1.16 | 1.51 | $42.50 | $88,410 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 1,510 | 1.12 | 1.46 | $41.51 | $86,350 |
*(2)
美国产业业最集中都会区：
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| New Bedford, MA | 220 | 3.51 | 4.58 | $35.59 | $74,030 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 120 | 3.09 | 4.04 | $50.07 | $104,150 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 190 | 2.65 | 3.46 | $32.65 | $67,920 |
| San Rafael, CA Metropolitan Division | 290 | 2.57 | 3.36 | $41.67 | $86,670 |
| Provo-Orem, UT | 490 | 2.36 | 3.08 | $33.33 | $69,330 |
| Ithaca, NY | 110 | 2.26 | 2.95 | $28.39 | $59,040 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 100 | 2.21 | 2.88 | $55.04 | $114,480 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 270 | 2.18 | 2.85 | $48.63 | $101,140 |
| Fresno, CA | 710 | 2.1 | 2.74 | $40.63 | $84,500 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 230 | 2.07 | 2.7 | $45.85 | $95,360 |
*(2
- 工业组织心理学家
美国从业人数最多州：
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Massachusetts | 90 | 0.03 | 3.76 | $44.95 | $93,500 |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 0.01 | 1.05 | $50.37 | $104,770 |
| Ohio | 40 | 0.01 | 1.06 | $40.52 | $84,290.00 |
| California | 40 | 0 | 0.32 | $58.13 | $120,910 |
*(3)
美国产业最集中州：
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Massachusetts | 90 | 0.03 | 3.76 | $44.95 | $93,500 |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 0.01 | 1.05 | $50.37 | $104,770 |
| Ohio | 40 | 0.01 | 1.06 | $40.52 | $84,290.00 |
| California | 40 | 0 | 0.32 | $58.13 | $120,910 |
*(3)
美国从业人数最多都会区：
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 90 | 0.04 | 5.06 | $50.00 | $104,000 |
*(3)
美国产业业最集中都会区：
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 90 | 0.04 | 5.06 | $50.00 | $104,000 |
*(3)
注：
(1) Location quotient ：产业集中指数，其数值是该州该产业的从业人数的比重与全美平均水准的比值，大于1代表该州该职业每千人从业人数比例高于全美平均水平，反之，小于1则代表其低于全美平均水平。公式：（Employment per thousand jobs）/[Σ（Employment per thousand jobs）/50]
(2) 以上表均是2015年5月美国劳工统计局公布的数据。
2012年
心理医生行业年薪：
| 联邦行政机构 | $87,910.00 |
| 其他医师办公室 | $88,970.00 |
| 高等教育 | $67,380.00 |
| 医院 | $92,910.00 |
| 诊所医师 | $84,890.00 |
| 教育支持服务业 | $84,190.00 |
| 精神病院 | $67,020.00 |
| 科研与开发 | $94,950.00 |
| 中小学教育 | $100,380.00 |
| 门诊服务中心 | $99,900 |
| 临床心理医生行业年薪表*(2) | |
| 中小学教育 | $71,730.00 |
| 其他医师办公室 | $80,760.00 |
| 个人与家庭服务 | $64,730.00 |
| 州政府机构 | $76,390.00 |
| 门诊服务中心 | $67,650.00 |
| 精神病院 | $74,960.00 |
| 教育支持服务业 | $67,190.00 |
| 其他住宿设施 | $53,130.00 |
| 商学院及计算机管理培训 | $100,310.00 |
| 就业服务 | $94,290.00 |
| 退休社区服务与老人辅助生活设施 | $92,550 |
| 科研与开发 | $83,960 |
| 专科医院（除精神病院） | $83,070 |
| 工业组织心理学家行业年薪表*(3) | |
| 管理、科学及技术咨询 | $125,980 |
| 州政府机构 | $67,440 |
| 科研与开发 | $107,850 |
| 其他医师办公室 | $103,400 |
| 中小学教育 | $75,650 |
| 高等教育 | $65,120 |
*(1)
从业人数最多州：
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Florida | 1,240 | 0.17 | 2.14 | $41 | $85,570 |
| California | 970 | 0.07 | 0.86 | $42 | $86,690 |
| Texas | 620 | 0.06 | 0.73 | $41 | $85,700 |
| Maryland | 570 | 0.23 | 2.88 | $52 | $107,180 |
| New York | 510 | 0.06 | 0.75 | $44.45 | $92,450 |
| California | 17,550 | 1.23 | 1.54 | $38 | $79,520 |
| New York | 10,610 | 1.24 | 1.56 | $41 | $84,850 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,730 | 1.02 | 1.29 | $35 | $73,620 |
| Texas | 5,390 | 0.51 | 0.64 | $30 | $63,100 |
| Illinois | 5,030 | 0.89 | 1.12 | $33 | $68,100 |
| Massachusetts | 190 | 0.06 | 7.45 | $35 | $72,610 |
| California | 150 | 0.01 | 1.29 | —— | —— |
| Minnesota | 100 | 0.04 | 5.03 | $48 | $100,290 |
| New York | 90 | 0.01 | 1.29 | $43 | $89,980 |
| Pennsylvania | 80 | 0.01 | 1.79 | $41 | $84,750 |
*(1)(2)(3)
产业集中州：
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| District of Columbia | 190 | 0.28 | 3.57 | $41.26 | $85,830 |
| Maryland | 570 | 0.23 | 2.88 | $51.53 | $107,180 |
| Hawaii | 120 | 0.2 | 2.56 | $41.53 | $86,370 |
| Florida | 1,240 | 0.17 | 2.14 | $41.14 | $85,570 |
| Oregon | 240 | 0.15 | 1.89 | $42.74 | $88,900 |
| New Mexico | 1,160 | 1.5 | 1.88 | $32.58 | $67,760 |
| Rhode Island | 590 | 1.31 | 1.64 | $44.51 | $92,580 |
| Massachusetts | 4,090 | 1.28 | 1.61 | $37.71 | $78,440 |
| New York | 10,610 | 1.24 | 1.56 | $40.80 | $84,850 |
| California | 17,550 | 1.23 | 1.54 | $38.23 | $79,520 |
| Massachusetts | 190 | 0.06 | 7.45 | $34.91 | $72,610 |
| Minnesota | 100 | 0.04 | 5.03 | $48.22 | $100,290 |
| Virginia | 50 | 0.01 | 1.6 | $53.31 | $110,880 |
| Pennsylvania | 80 | 0.01 | 1.79 | $40.75 | $84,750 |
| Ohio | 30 | 0.01 | 0.84 | $39.48 | $82,110 |
*(1)(2)(3)
注：
(1) Location quotient ：产业集中指数，其数值是该州该产业的从业人数的比重与全美平均水准的比值，大于1代表该州该职业每千人从业人数比例高于全美平均水平，反之，小于1则代表其低于全美平均水平。公式：（Employment per thousand jobs）/[Σ（Employment per thousand jobs）/50]
(2) 以上两表均是2012年5月美国劳工统计局公布的数据。
纵观整个行业的发展来说，据美国劳工局2012年5月公布的最新统计数据看出，平均行业的增幅14%，而工业组织心理学家的增幅超过平均值达到35%，远远高出全行业的水平；临床心理医生的增幅是22%，同等心理医生；其他心理医生增幅较低，只有18%。
就业热门机构包括：学校、医院、心理健康中心、社会服务机构等。*(8)
参考资料
(1) Psychologists US Bureau of Labor Statistics
(2) Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists US Bureau of Labor Statistics
(3) Industrial-Organizational Psychologists US Bureau of Labor Statistics
(4) Psychologists, Summary US Bureau of Labor Statistics
(5) Psychologists, How to Become One US Bureau of Labor Statistics
(6) Psychologists, What They Do US Bureau of Labor Statistics
(7) Psychologists, Work Environment US Bureau of Labor Statistics
(8) Psychologists, Job Outlook US Bureau of Labor Statistics