What Does a Psychology Professor Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a psychology professor do?

Psychology teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in psychology at colleges and universities and often conduct research. The median pay is $80,340 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5–7 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +4.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$80,340
Annual salary · May 2025
Job growth
+4.0%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
3,700
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
BLS classification
Time to train
5–7 years after a bachelor’s
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
52,300
Employment, 2025

What psychology professors do

Psychology professors teach the science of behavior. They teach intro psychology, research methods, statistics, developmental, social, cognitive and clinical psychology, run research labs with student assistants, conduct experiments and studies, and publish findings.

Universities usually require a Ph.D.; community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree. Psychology is one of the most popular college majors.

Typical duties

Teach psychology courses
Teach research methods and statistics
Run a research lab
Supervise student researchers
Conduct studies
Publish research
Advise students

Work environment and schedule

Faculty work in classrooms, research labs and offices.

Schedule: Teaching, research and service with flexible hours.

A day in the life

9:00 AMTeach intro psychology.
10:30 AMMeet lab assistants.
12:00 PMReview study data.
1:30 PMSubmit an IRB protocol.

See a full day in the life of a psychology professor →

Psychology Professor salary

Half of psychology professors earned more than $80,340 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $49,050 for the lowest 10% to $153,600 for the top 10%.

$49,05010th$80,340Median$153,60090th

Full psychology professor pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a psychology professor

Earn a psychology bachelor’s
Work in a lab
Complete a Ph.D.
Publish
Get hired

A Ph.D. in psychology is typical for universities; community colleges often accept a master’s degree.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a psychology professor →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Psychological science
Research methods
Statistics
Experiment design
Research ethics

People skills

Mentoring
Communication
Empathy
Organization

All psychology professor skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Popular, engaging subject
Student research mentoring
Flexible schedule
Many subfields

Cons

Large classes
Competitive tenure track
IRB paperwork
Grant pressure

Certifications and licenses

Ph.D. in psychology: Doctoral degree.
Licensed psychologist: For clinical faculty.
IRB training: Human research ethics.
Research grants: NIH, NSF.

Career path

Graduate Instructor: Train.
Assistant Professor: Tenure track.
Associate Professor: Tenure.
Professor or Chair: Lead departments.

Learn the job before day one

Our Psychology Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach research methods with a class study and submit an IRB protocol, safety and how to land your first job.

View Psychology Professor training Is this career right for me?

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Use psychology to improve hiring, teamwork and workplaces.

$193,950
2–6 years after a bachelor’s

School Psychologist

Help students learn, behave and feel well by assessing and supporting them.

$95,990
3 years after a bachelor’s

Sociology Professor

Teach how societies, groups and institutions shape people’s lives.

$84,290
5–7 years after a bachelor’s

School Counselor

Help students succeed academically, socially and in planning their futures.

$64,330
Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s

Compare: Psychology Professor vs. I-O Psychologist · Psychology Professor vs. School Psychologist · Psychology Professor vs. Sociology Professor · Psychology Professor vs. School Counselor

Psychology Professor FAQ

Do psychology professors need a Ph.D.?

Usually at universities; community colleges often accept a master’s.

Do they see clients?

Only clinical faculty who are licensed psychologists.

Is psychology popular?

Yes, it’s one of the most popular majors.

How much does a psychology professor make?

The median annual wage for psychology professors was $80,340 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $49,050 and the highest 10% earned more than $153,600.

How long does it take to become a psychology professor?

Most people need about 5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training. A Ph.D. in psychology is typical for universities; community colleges often accept a master’s degree.

Do you need a degree to be a psychology professor?

Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical for postsecondary teachers. Universities generally require a Ph.D., while community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1066 (Psychology teachers, postsecondary).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Psychology teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Psychology Professor