General
Industrial And Organizational Psychology
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Industrial And Organizational Psychology.
Entry Level Salary
$40,730
Median Salary
$96,000
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
28.5%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,840,000
Entry (Early)
$40,730
Median (Prime)
$96,000
High (Prime)
$100,000
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-89k
+375k
+407k
$25k / yr
-178k
+285k
+317k
$50k / yr
-268k
+195k
+227k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
25
25
$25k / yr
Never
30
29
$50k / yr
Never
35
34
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-164%
262%
292%
$50k / yr
-123%
90%
105%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate46.7%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Human resources workers
9.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,245
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$98,478|$76,700
openings
78,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Management occupations
6.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$164,701
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$115,857|$126,520
openings
1,081,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.2%
Top executives
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$133,766
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$205,794|$108,510
openings
305,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Human resources managers
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$72,057
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$144,699|$149,280
openings
16,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.5%
Management analysts
2.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$63,721
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$133,235|$101,860
openings
94,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +10.1%
Financial managers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$95,524
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$146,960|$166,570
openings
65,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.7%
Project management specialists
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$63,721
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$95,949|$102,320
openings
76,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.7%
Customer service representatives
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$17,611
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$41,175|$44,770
openings
289,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.3%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$47,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$64,311|$48,520
openings
113,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -3.7%
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$51,315
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$78,946|$69,500
openings
127,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.1%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 22 to 27 (American Community Survey).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2025–2035).
Undergraduate Pathway Guidance
Industrial-Organizational psychology pathways at the undergraduate level are typically pursued via a Psychology degree or a Business major.