Which sectors employ the most psychology research doctorates?

• Recipients of a psychology research doctorate¹ are most likely to work in an academic setting.² In 2013, approximately 34 percent worked at four-year colleges or universities, and 6 percent worked in other educational institutions, such as two-year colleges, community colleges and technical institutes. Twenty percent were self-employed, and another 20 percent worked in private for-profit businesses.³
• In the last two decades, the number of jobs held by psychology doctorates across all employment sectors has increased by 48 percent, from 71,020 in 1993 to 104,900 in 2013. During this same time, the number of psychology doctorates working in the federal government nearly doubled (from 3,270 to 6,400). Employment in other (non-four-year) educational institutions grew by 68 percent, and employment in private for-profit businesses grew by 53 percent.

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¹Does not include PsyD recipients.

²National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (1993–2013). Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR). Retrieved from www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorateworkopens in new window. The SDR is a longitudinal biennial survey that provides demographic and career history information about individuals with a research doctoral degree in a science, engineering or health field from a U.S. academic institution. The panel is refreshed each survey cycle with a sample of new doctoral degree earners. The use of NSF data does not imply NSF endorsement of research, research methods or conclusions contained in this report.

³Four-year institutions include four-year colleges or universities, medical schools and university-affiliated research institutes. Self-employed includes business owners in a nonincorporated business. Private, for-profit includes those self-employed in an incorporated business.