Becoming a Health Psychologist via Online Education?
At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths.
Ashford University, one of the highest ranking online
schools,
is a US school (accredited) offering psychology courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
psychologists,
therapists,
forensic psychologists,
organizational psychologists,
clinical psychologists,
counseling psychologists,
developmental psychologists,
educational psychologists,
health psychologists, etc.
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 83,530 people employed as
environmental scientists and specialists, including health alone in America, and their average annual salary is
$67,360.
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists make on average $72,310
per year and there are about 98,330
of them employed today.
Colleges and universities like Ashford University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into
this
field.
Typical Work Locations for a Health Psychologist
- school psychologists
- industrial psychologists
- research psychologists
- clinical psychologists
- sports psychologists
- engineering psychologists
- geographers
- social psychologists
- historians
- industrial/organizational psychologists
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Health Psychologist
- aged care
- child & youth services
- rehabilitation & extended treatment
- indigenous services
- secure and forensic mental health services
- checking the validity of experimental manipulations
- dual diagnosis
- monitoring changes in mood
- salary sacrificing option
- community services
Potential Drawbacks
- constant pressure to lead by example
- frustration when clients don't follow advice
- niche market
- death of clients
- low pay
- long length of study required
- becoming emotionally attached to patients who are ill
- dealing with multiple health practitioners with varying opinions
- your success dependent on clients success
- constant training to keep up to date
Related Professions to Consider
- Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing
- Head Department of Psychology
- Principal Lecturer
- Clinical Health Psychologist
- Behavioral Health Psychologist
- Research Psychologist
- Psychologist Supervisor DOC
- Ops Senior Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Health Psychologist
- How do you see the word "leader" fitting in to your role as a counselor?
- What do you see as the main role of a school counselor?
- What influenced you to be a school counselor?
- What is the counseling theory or approach that you most closely follow?
- What is the most creative and innovative counseling technique you have used?
- What innovative and new ideas would you like to employ as a school counselor?
- How would you divide your time between meeting the immediate needs of the students and keeping up with the paperwork?
- How would you handle an irate parent?
- How do you see yourself fitting in with counselors who have many years experience as veteran teachers?
- How would you fit in with a large staff?
Common Collaborating Professions
- Coordinator Community Health Programs
- Staff Psychologist
- School Psychologist
- Psychiatric Technician
- Psych Nurse Manager
- Active Clinical Psychologist
- Active Research Psychologist
- Administrator Psych Programs
- Admissions Psychiatric Nursing Asst
- Adult Psych Case Manager
Health Psychologist Training books
Health Psychologist (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- alternative science
- clinical laboratory science
- communication disorders
- counseling
- dental hygiene
- health information technology
- health promotion
- health services
- healthcare administration
- healthcare management
Health Psychologist Salary Information
Category: Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists
| Total # Employed in the US |
98,330 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$34.77/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $18.88 |
$24.14 |
$31.75 |
$41.0 |
$52.63 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$72,310 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $39,270 |
$50,210 |
$66,040 |
$85,270 |
$109,470 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.2% |
0.2% |
0.4% |
0.3% |
4.2% |
43.2% |
51.5% |
|
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| North Dakota |
$44.41/hr
|
$92,380
|
| Connecticut |
$43.33/hr
|
$90,130
|
| Colorado |
$40.68/hr
|
$84,600
|
| South Carolina |
$38.69/hr
|
$80,470
|
| Virginia |
$38.28/hr
|
$79,630
|
| Oklahoma |
$38.21/hr
|
$79,480
|
| District of Columbia |
$37.13/hr
|
$77,230
|
| Montana |
$37.05/hr
|
$77,060
|
| Alabama |
$36.78/hr
|
$76,500
|
| Alaska |
$36.77/hr
|
$76,480
|
| Delaware |
$35.94/hr
|
$74,750
|
| Massachusetts |
$35.61/hr
|
$74,070
|
| Missouri |
$35.54/hr
|
$73,930
|
| Kansas |
$35.26/hr
|
$73,340
|
| Michigan |
$34.63/hr
|
$72,030
|
| Mississippi |
$34.28/hr
|
$71,310
|
| New York |
$34.26/hr
|
$71,260
|
| West Virginia |
$34.21/hr
|
$71,160
|
| Indiana |
$33.95/hr
|
$70,630
|
| California |
$33.64/hr
|
$69,980
|
| Puerto Rico |
$33.05/hr
|
$68,750
|
| Idaho |
$32.34/hr
|
$67,270
|
| Florida |
$32.33/hr
|
$67,240
|
| Hawaii |
$32.24/hr
|
$67,050
|
| Utah |
$32.23/hr
|
$67,030
|
| Wisconsin |
$31.26/hr
|
$65,020
|
| Oregon |
$31.23/hr
|
$64,950
|
| North Carolina |
$31/hr
|
$64,480
|
| Nebraska |
$31/hr
|
$64,480
|
| Tennessee |
$30.96/hr
|
$64,390
|
| Guam |
$30.4/hr
|
$63,220
|
| Iowa |
$30.33/hr
|
$63,090
|
| Kentucky |
$30.21/hr
|
$62,830
|
| Washington |
$30.11/hr
|
$62,620
|
| Louisiana |
$29.95/hr
|
$62,300
|
| Ohio |
$29.75/hr
|
$61,880
|
| Arkansas |
$29.72/hr
|
$61,820
|
| New Hampshire |
$28.87/hr
|
$60,050
|
| Wyoming |
$28.65/hr
|
$59,590
|
| Maine |
$27.95/hr
|
$58,150
|
| New Mexico |
$26.86/hr
|
$55,870
|
| Maryland |
$26.43/hr
|
$54,970
|
| Pennsylvania |
$26.16/hr
|
$54,420
|
| South Dakota |
$26.08/hr
|
$54,250
|
| New Jersey |
$22.84/hr
|
$47,500
|
| Nevada |
$21.64/hr
|
$45,000
|
Category: Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors
| Total # Employed in the US |
78,470 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$19.43/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $11.82 |
$14.36 |
$18.13 |
$23.11 |
$28.87 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$40,420 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $24,580 |
$29,860 |
$37,700 |
$48,060 |
$60,060 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.3% |
7.3% |
10.5% |
5.6% |
25.0% |
45.9% |
4.4% |
|
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Indiana |
$27.08/hr
|
$56,320
|
| North Dakota |
$26.43/hr
|
$54,970
|
| Guam |
$22.48/hr
|
$46,760
|
| Michigan |
$22.33/hr
|
$46,440
|
| Nebraska |
$20.98/hr
|
$43,630
|
| Delaware |
$20.73/hr
|
$43,120
|
| Missouri |
$20.55/hr
|
$42,750
|
| New York |
$20.53/hr
|
$42,700
|
| Alaska |
$20.52/hr
|
$42,690
|
| Oklahoma |
$20.41/hr
|
$42,460
|
| Arkansas |
$20.34/hr
|
$42,310
|
| Pennsylvania |
$20.07/hr
|
$41,750
|
| Oregon |
$19.82/hr
|
$41,230
|
| Puerto Rico |
$19.69/hr
|
$40,960
|
| Mississippi |
$19.63/hr
|
$40,840
|
| Hawaii |
$19.59/hr
|
$40,740
|
| Montana |
$19.43/hr
|
$40,420
|
| South Carolina |
$19.29/hr
|
$40,120
|
| Utah |
$19.18/hr
|
$39,900
|
| New Mexico |
$19.11/hr
|
$39,740
|
| Massachusetts |
$19.05/hr
|
$39,630
|
| North Carolina |
$18.94/hr
|
$39,390
|
| Florida |
$18.74/hr
|
$38,970
|
| Louisiana |
$18.61/hr
|
$38,700
|
| Virginia |
$18.57/hr
|
$38,620
|
| Kentucky |
$18.47/hr
|
$38,420
|
| Kansas |
$18.43/hr
|
$38,340
|
| Iowa |
$18.36/hr
|
$38,190
|
| Tennessee |
$18.29/hr
|
$38,050
|
| Alabama |
$18.23/hr
|
$37,920
|
| Idaho |
$17.93/hr
|
$37,290
|
| Washington |
$17.92/hr
|
$37,280
|
| Colorado |
$17.87/hr
|
$37,180
|
| South Dakota |
$17.82/hr
|
$37,070
|
| Ohio |
$17.41/hr
|
$36,220
|
| New Hampshire |
$17.32/hr
|
$36,030
|
| District of Columbia |
$17.22/hr
|
$35,810
|
| New Jersey |
$17.19/hr
|
$35,750
|
| Wisconsin |
$17.13/hr
|
$35,620
|
| Wyoming |
$16.87/hr
|
$35,100
|
| Maine |
$16.79/hr
|
$34,920
|
| Maryland |
$16.75/hr
|
$34,830
|
| West Virginia |
$16.68/hr
|
$34,700
|
| California |
$16.67/hr
|
$34,670
|
| Connecticut |
$16.42/hr
|
$34,150
|
| Nevada |
$14.52/hr
|
$30,200
|
Category: Mental health counselors
| Total # Employed in the US |
106,920 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$20.05/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $11.65 |
$14.38 |
$18.28 |
$24.11 |
$31.06 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$41,710 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $24,230 |
$29,920 |
$38,010 |
$50,140 |
$64,610 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.3% |
7.3% |
10.5% |
5.6% |
25.0% |
45.9% |
4.4% |
|
Mental health counselors — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Michigan |
$26.51/hr
|
$55,150
|
| Alaska |
$25.98/hr
|
$54,030
|
| New York |
$25.37/hr
|
$52,770
|
| Colorado |
$24.96/hr
|
$51,910
|
| Tennessee |
$23.79/hr
|
$49,490
|
| Iowa |
$23.59/hr
|
$49,060
|
| Florida |
$23.29/hr
|
$48,440
|
| California |
$22.75/hr
|
$47,330
|
| District of Columbia |
$22.7/hr
|
$47,220
|
| Montana |
$22.41/hr
|
$46,620
|
| Ohio |
$22.35/hr
|
$46,490
|
| Guam |
$22.35/hr
|
$46,490
|
| North Dakota |
$21.99/hr
|
$45,750
|
| South Carolina |
$20.99/hr
|
$43,650
|
| Kentucky |
$20.88/hr
|
$43,420
|
| Missouri |
$20.62/hr
|
$42,890
|
| New Mexico |
$20.53/hr
|
$42,700
|
| Arkansas |
$20.14/hr
|
$41,890
|
| South Dakota |
$20.13/hr
|
$41,880
|
| Idaho |
$20.02/hr
|
$41,640
|
| Nebraska |
$19.73/hr
|
$41,050
|
| Delaware |
$19.67/hr
|
$40,920
|
| Mississippi |
$19.63/hr
|
$40,840
|
| Connecticut |
$19.48/hr
|
$40,530
|
| Hawaii |
$19.46/hr
|
$40,480
|
| Oregon |
$19.38/hr
|
$40,310
|
| Washington |
$19.38/hr
|
$40,310
|
| Kansas |
$19.27/hr
|
$40,080
|
| Maine |
$19.16/hr
|
$39,850
|
| Indiana |
$19.13/hr
|
$39,790
|
| Nevada |
$18.93/hr
|
$39,370
|
| West Virginia |
$18.93/hr
|
$39,360
|
| Wyoming |
$18.56/hr
|
$38,610
|
| Puerto Rico |
$18.51/hr
|
$38,500
|
| North Carolina |
$18.47/hr
|
$38,420
|
| Alabama |
$18.19/hr
|
$37,830
|
| Utah |
$18.14/hr
|
$37,740
|
| Maryland |
$18.04/hr
|
$37,520
|
| Oklahoma |
$17.9/hr
|
$37,240
|
| Louisiana |
$16.84/hr
|
$35,020
|
| New Hampshire |
$16.28/hr
|
$33,870
|
| Virginia |
$15.5/hr
|
$32,240
|
| Wisconsin |
$14.79/hr
|
$30,770
|
| Massachusetts |
$14.77/hr
|
$30,720
|
| New Jersey |
$14.42/hr
|
$29,980
|
Category: Medical and public health social workers
| Total # Employed in the US |
133,510 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$23.24/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $13.75 |
$17.35 |
$22.26 |
$28.12 |
$34.22 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$48,340 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $28,600 |
$36,090 |
$46,300 |
$58,490 |
$71,190 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.2% |
6.2% |
10.4% |
6.0% |
42.3% |
32.2% |
1.6% |
|
Medical and public health social workers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Florida |
$31.86/hr
|
$66,270
|
| New York |
$30.64/hr
|
$63,720
|
| Delaware |
$29.47/hr
|
$61,290
|
| Mississippi |
$28.17/hr
|
$58,590
|
| Colorado |
$27.83/hr
|
$57,890
|
| Indiana |
$27.78/hr
|
$57,780
|
| Virginia |
$27.03/hr
|
$56,230
|
| North Dakota |
$26.15/hr
|
$54,390
|
| Tennessee |
$26.14/hr
|
$54,360
|
| Alaska |
$25.85/hr
|
$53,780
|
| Oklahoma |
$25.59/hr
|
$53,230
|
| North Carolina |
$24.7/hr
|
$51,370
|
| Nebraska |
$24.66/hr
|
$51,290
|
| Kansas |
$24.12/hr
|
$50,170
|
| Missouri |
$24.12/hr
|
$50,160
|
| Puerto Rico |
$23.98/hr
|
$49,880
|
| Montana |
$23.62/hr
|
$49,120
|
| Guam |
$23.55/hr
|
$48,990
|
| District of Columbia |
$23.42/hr
|
$48,720
|
| Wisconsin |
$23.15/hr
|
$48,150
|
| Wyoming |
$22.85/hr
|
$47,520
|
| Idaho |
$22.09/hr
|
$45,940
|
| Iowa |
$22.08/hr
|
$45,920
|
| Kentucky |
$21.98/hr
|
$45,710
|
| South Carolina |
$21.88/hr
|
$45,520
|
| Connecticut |
$21.87/hr
|
$45,500
|
| Hawaii |
$21.69/hr
|
$45,120
|
| Michigan |
$21.42/hr
|
$44,540
|
| Massachusetts |
$21.38/hr
|
$44,470
|
| California |
$21.36/hr
|
$44,420
|
| Washington |
$21.04/hr
|
$43,760
|
| Oregon |
$20.91/hr
|
$43,500
|
| Louisiana |
$20.65/hr
|
$42,960
|
| Utah |
$20.61/hr
|
$42,870
|
| Arkansas |
$20.24/hr
|
$42,100
|
| New Jersey |
$20.17/hr
|
$41,940
|
| Maine |
$20.15/hr
|
$41,900
|
| Alabama |
$20.03/hr
|
$41,670
|
| Maryland |
$19.82/hr
|
$41,220
|
| New Hampshire |
$19.8/hr
|
$41,190
|
| New Mexico |
$19.14/hr
|
$39,810
|
| Ohio |
$18.6/hr
|
$38,690
|
| West Virginia |
$18.45/hr
|
$38,370
|
| South Dakota |
$18.38/hr
|
$38,240
|
| Pennsylvania |
$17.96/hr
|
$37,350
|
| Nevada |
$17.21/hr
|
$35,800
|
Category: Mental health and substance abuse social workers
| Total # Employed in the US |
127,140 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$19.88/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $11.99 |
$14.66 |
$18.37 |
$23.96 |
$30.17 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$41,350 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $24,940 |
$30,480 |
$38,200 |
$49,840 |
$62,760 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.2% |
6.2% |
10.4% |
6.0% |
42.3% |
32.2% |
1.6% |
|
Mental health and substance abuse social workers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| North Dakota |
$28.36/hr
|
$59,000
|
| Virginia |
$25.05/hr
|
$52,100
|
| Mississippi |
$24.4/hr
|
$50,750
|
| Indiana |
$24.37/hr
|
$50,680
|
| Delaware |
$24.31/hr
|
$50,560
|
| Alaska |
$23.7/hr
|
$49,300
|
| Oklahoma |
$23.52/hr
|
$48,910
|
| Nebraska |
$23.4/hr
|
$48,680
|
| Florida |
$23.05/hr
|
$47,950
|
| New York |
$22.97/hr
|
$47,770
|
| Colorado |
$22.28/hr
|
$46,340
|
| Missouri |
$21.01/hr
|
$43,700
|
| District of Columbia |
$20.37/hr
|
$42,370
|
| Montana |
$19.86/hr
|
$41,300
|
| Oregon |
$19.85/hr
|
$41,290
|
| Guam |
$19.72/hr
|
$41,020
|
| California |
$19.68/hr
|
$40,940
|
| Massachusetts |
$19.5/hr
|
$40,570
|
| Kansas |
$19.47/hr
|
$40,500
|
| North Carolina |
$19.38/hr
|
$40,310
|
| Idaho |
$19.22/hr
|
$39,990
|
| Michigan |
$18.77/hr
|
$39,040
|
| Arkansas |
$18.63/hr
|
$38,750
|
| Utah |
$18.51/hr
|
$38,500
|
| Maine |
$18.16/hr
|
$37,780
|
| New Mexico |
$18.13/hr
|
$37,700
|
| Louisiana |
$17.94/hr
|
$37,310
|
| Tennessee |
$17.9/hr
|
$37,230
|
| South Carolina |
$17.85/hr
|
$37,130
|
| Maryland |
$17.84/hr
|
$37,110
|
| South Dakota |
$17.84/hr
|
$37,100
|
| Ohio |
$17.65/hr
|
$36,710
|
| Pennsylvania |
$17.55/hr
|
$36,500
|
| New Jersey |
$17.3/hr
|
$35,990
|
| Hawaii |
$17.15/hr
|
$35,660
|
| Kentucky |
$17.02/hr
|
$35,400
|
| Iowa |
$16.91/hr
|
$35,180
|
| Wyoming |
$16.64/hr
|
$34,610
|
| West Virginia |
$16.59/hr
|
$34,510
|
| New Hampshire |
$16.47/hr
|
$34,260
|
| Wisconsin |
$16.37/hr
|
$34,050
|
| Nevada |
$16.35/hr
|
$34,010
|
| Connecticut |
$15.84/hr
|
$32,960
|
| Alabama |
$15.68/hr
|
$32,610
|
| Washington |
$13.86/hr
|
$28,830
|
