Psychologist, Experimental

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Work Tasks

• Study the behavior of people and animals
• Plan and do experiments to learn more about memory, learning, personality, and how the brain works
• Choose test controls (things that will stay the same) and variables (things that will be changed) for the experiments and record the data
• Use data to study test results and write papers explaining their findings
• Work in labs doing research, colleges, universities, as consultants, and for federal, state, and local government agencies
• Work with theories, experimental ideas, lab equipment, people, animals, test results, and reports

Salary, Size & Growth

• $86,500 average per year ($41.50 per hour)
• A small occupation (1,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.6% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A Ph.D. is required for experimental psychologists.
• Skills/Courses: College courses include quantitative research methods, and the use of computer-based analysis.
• Certification/Licensing: All states require psychologists to be licensed or certified.