Career Explorer Science
Grows with AI
Industrial-organizational psychologists
Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.
Changing faster than most: more resilient than 39% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is very high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by +6.5% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on creative vision and emotional intelligence.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $193,950
- Job growth to 2035
- +6.5%
- Openings a year
- 300
- People doing it (2025)
- 4,000
- Usual route in
- Master's degree, then an internship or residency
Where people already use AI for this work
- Research organizational behavior, processes, or performance
- Present research or technical information
- Advise others on business or operational matters
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Develop research plans or methodologies
- Collect information about patients or clients
- Perform human resources activities
What the work looks like
- Provide advice on best practices and implementation for selection.
- Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs.
- Analyze data, using statistical methods and applications, to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of workplace programs.
- Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
- Observe and interview workers to obtain information about the physical, mental, and educational requirements of jobs, as well as information about aspects such as job satisfaction.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Management analystsGrows with AI, Index 49, +10.1%
- Public relations managersGrows with AI, Index 41, +5.7%
- Clinical and counseling psychologistsGrows with AI, Index 63, +11.7%
- EpidemiologistsGrows with AI, Index 65, +18.7%
Also known as: I-O Psychologist (Industrial-Organizational Psychologist), Organizational Consultant, Organizational Psychologist, Research Scientist, Consulting Psychologist, I-O Practitioner (Industrial-Organizational Practitioner), Industrial Psychologist, Management Consultant.
Is this career on your child's list?
Build a free Career Playbook matched to your child, or get a 90-day Action Plan with dated next steps, written for your child by name.
Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.