Updated on Oct 27, 2022 10:21 IST

Psychology is considered to be one of the noblest professions as it involves helping a person’s bad state of mind. A career in psychology offers different pathways from being a psychiatrist to a child counsellor. The basic skill apart from a degree is empathy towards solving emotional and mental turmoil faced by an individual. This profession has gained popularity these days citing the awareness regarding mental health. With this growing popularity, we have some statistics that reflect the positive trajectory for a career in psychology.

Why Choose Psychology?

Here we discuss some of the reasons why a career in Psychology is a good choice.

  • According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), 2019, around 7.7 per cent of Psychology graduates opted for working in the S&E.

  • As per the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the demand for clinical psychologists is expected to grow at a rate of three per cent by 2029.

  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), the job prospects for psychologists grew by 19 per cent between 2014 and 2024. This was around seven per cent more than the average growth predicted for other professions.

  • According to U.S. News and World Report, out of 100 best careers with decent salary, child psychology stood at 31 rank.

  • The sub-domains like counsellors, clinical psychologist, and child psychologists are expected to grow at an increased rate of 20 per cent.

Also Read: Psychology Courses: Eligibility, Top Exams, Career, Jobs

Top Careers in Psychology (Career profiles)

A lot of surveys have stated that psychology is known to offer positive career growth to professionals. Be it any field they are needed in every industry because they help individuals get on the path of self-discovery. Additionally, they also help in making the lives of people better by playing a significant role in improving their mental condition. Psychologists are known to help individuals by working on their behavioural tendencies. We have listed some of the top career choices that one pursuing a career in psychology should resort to. 

1. Psychologists: The first and the most popular career stream for those who pursue a degree in psychology is that of psychologists. Owing to the stressful and monotonous routine most of the population lives in one needs psychiatric help to deal with the same. A psychologist is one who follows a scientific approach to deal with the problems faced by their patients. The major skill set that a psychologist should possess is patience, ethics, research, learning attitude, and emotional stability. 

2. Counsellor: A counsellor is a person who studies the patient's history and tries to know about the major events that have led to their emotional disparity. They usually offer immediate help by talking to them and listening to their problems. Counsellors are often considered for those who are facing issues in their studies, marriage, relationships, and work, etc. They usually empathise with the situation of their patients and provide them with solutions that help them to return to normal life with ease.

3. Psychotherapist: As the name suggests, their primary work area is to deal with the mental problems faced by their patients. The patients that seek the help of psychotherapists are those who deal with any type of behavioural or accidental trauma. They usually provide cognitive solutions to personality disorders, depression, narcissism, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Consulting a psychotherapist helps one with coping up with anxiety, and building self-confidence and self-esteem. They help their patients by using cognitive behaviour therapy.

4. Career Psychologist: Career psychologists are usually those who guide and counsel students regarding the delusion surrounding career issues. They go through the problems faced by their patients, try to study their mental state, and then provide solutions to provide a clear idea. Additionally, their primary role includes assessing the academic potential of the student and then suggesting the best career fields. 

5. Criminal Psychologists: Criminal psychologists are usually employed by the juvenile justice board, jails, and defence wing. The primary job of these psychologists is to counsel juvenile criminals or offenders at the psychological level and help them in returning to normal life. Additionally, they also help police officers in solving cases by studying the behaviour of the criminals and the next step that they can take. They help their patients by making them aware of their skills and indulging them in rehabilitation programs. 

Also Read: Popular Careers in Psychology

Psychology Career Scope in India

Irrespective of the Psychology degree you have i.e. UG and PG, the career scope is positive and promising. Talking about the career scope, Psychology offers a vast scope in India and it is increasing with each day. After graduating in Psychology one can either work for a company or practice as a professional. One can easily get a job in industries like NGOs, schools, colleges, and companies. The prominent roles offered by these industries are career counsellors, juvenile counsellors, and trainers in rehabilitation centres. 

For those who wish to practice as professionals, Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Criminal Psychology, and Child Psychology offer good career growth. These psychologists help people in facing the challenges faced by them to perform day-to-day activities. Additionally, they help them in returning to their normal life while balancing their work and stress-related problems in the most effective way. Check out the different industries in Psychology that offer promising career growth.

  • Psychological Research Centres – These centres hire psychologists to conduct research on different aspects of mental health issues.

  • Forensic – Psychologists are required in the Forensic field to get an insight into the basic psychology that is involved with the criminals.

  • Education Sector – Psychologists are also required in the education sector to counsel students and teachers from time to time.

  • Rehabilitation Centres - They hire psychologists to cater to the needs of the people who require mental help from experts.

  • Development of Prevention Programmes – This industry hires psychologists to conduct deep research on different issues and provide comprehensive solutions for the same.

Also Read: Scope of Psychology in different Competitive Exams & Job Sector

Average Salary Based on Job Position

Psychologist is one of the job profiles that offer a promising career trajectory. Also, citing the awareness regarding mental health, this job market is set to grow at a rate of 14 per cent. The secondary reason for this is that a psychologist has to listen to people’s problems and help them find a solution to the same.

There are several sub-domains that come under the psychology career stream. Go through the table below to know about the average salary package for different job profiles.

Job Position

Average Salary Package (in INR)

Psychiatrist

4.79 LPA

Industrial/Organisational Psychologist

4.25 LPA

Neuropsychologist

5 LPA

School Counsellor

3.02 LPA

Clinical Psychologist

3.55 LPA

Forensic Psychologist

5.65 LPA

Counselling Psychologist

3.62 LPA

Academic Psychologist

7.7 LPA 

Child Psychologist

5.8 LPA

Top Recruiters for Psychology Graduates

As mentioned earlier, Psychologist is one of those job profiles that is needed in almost every other industry. The primary reason for this is that they work to keep up with the well-being of employees well being. Hence, it has been found that there is a gradual increase in demand. As per our research, the following are the top recruiters that offer handsome salaries and perks along with a secured job for psychologists. 

  • TCS

  • Accenture

  • Deloitte

  • Google

  • Microsoft

  • Mannah Wellness

  • Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

  • Fortis Hospital

  • CSIR

  • Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO)

  • Max Hospital

Apart from these recruiters several Indian colleges and schools also recruit psychologists from time to time for a permanent or temporary basis. 

Top Psychology Colleges for Placement

Several colleges in India offer lucrative placement packages for students after the completion of the courses at the UG and PG levels. These colleges release their placement record on an annual basis. This data can be studied to get an idea of the basic placement package offered. Check out the section below to know about the placement package after pursuing a career in Psychology. 

College Placement for UG Courses

The following table brings the average placement packages at top colleges offering Psychology courses in India at undergraduate level.

College Name

Placement Package

Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi

INR 6.2 LPA

Jesus and Mary College, Delhi

INR 5.4 LPA

Jai Hind College, Mumbai

INR 4 LPA

Fergusson College, Pune

INR 3.5 LPA

Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi

INR 3.8 LPA

Mithibai College, Mumbai

INR 2.6 LPA

Christ University, Bangalore

INR 3.5 LPA

St Xavier’s College, Mumbai

INR 2.23 LPA

Kamala Nehru College for Women, Delhi

INR 3.5 LPA

Gargi College, Delhi

INR 3.8 LPA

College Placement for PG Courses

The following table brings the average placement packages at top colleges offering Psychology courses in India at postgraduate level.

College Name

Placement Package

TATA Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

INR 4.7 LPA 

Christ University

INR 10 LPA

Indian Institute of Psychological Research, Bangalore

INR 8.4 LPA

Amity Institute of Behavioural Health and Allied Science

INR 12 LPA

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Delhi

INR 9 LPA

B. R. Ambedkar University, Delhi

INR 7.5 LPA

Also Read: Best Psychology Colleges in India: Psychology courses offered and admission Process

How to Get a Job After Completing Psychology?

These days Psychology is one of the professions that is required in different sectors such as healthcare, school, colleges, or government and private companies. For getting a job one can register themselves in any job portal on the internet. 

After registering on any job portal, one should prepare their resume or portfolio. The portfolio should be such that it contains the different skill sets and certifications and licence obtained in due course. Next, go through the ongoing recruitment and jobs and apply for the same. 

The second way is to keep a tab on the newspapers, a lot of government agencies release requirements for a psychologist from time to time. You can always apply for the jobs and then attend the interview or the selection process to get a job. 

Top Indian Cities to Get Lucrative Jobs After Psychology

The psychologist is one of the top-rated jobs that are required in the country irrespective of their population level. The primary reason behind this is that well-being and mental health is the major concern for everyone these days. However, after pursuing a career in psychology, the following list contains the list of cities that pay fairly high. 

Mumbai

Mumbai is known as the city that never sleeps. The reason for this is the fast and busy life that people of this city have. This is one of the reasons that Mumbai has been ranked as the most stressful city as per the survey of German wellness brand Vaay. Hence, the people of this city require a number of psychologists. Talking about the salary, it has been reported that the average salary package for a psychologist in Mumbai is INR 3.6 LPA. 

Delhi

Delhi is ranked as the second most stressful city in India as per the survey of Vaay. One of the major reasons is its crowdedness and the increased culture of the nuclear family. Hence, this city is also considered to be good when building a career in psychologists. The average salary package for psychologists here is INR 3.0 LPA. 

Bengaluru

Although, Bengaluru is considered to be the silicon valley of India. However, the city lacks in terms of mental well-being. One of the pivotal reasons for this is the no work-life balance amongst the people of Bengaluru. Also, since this is the headquarter of a lot of A-listed companies, a lot of companies often hire psychologists to cater to the demands of the mental health of their employees. The estimated annual salary package for this city is INR 4.0 LPA. 

Gurgaon

Gurgaon is considered to be an industrial hub of North India. Hence, this city also requires a good task force when it comes to working on mental health. Apart from this, several hospitals also find their home in this city which increases the demand for psychologists. These hospitals need them to counsel the patients suffering from deadly diseases. The average salary package for a psychologist in Gurgaon is around INR 3.8 LPA. 

Life After Completing Psychology

With increased voices regarding mental health and wellbeing, there is an increase in the demand for psychologists and counsellors in the country. The future outlook of this career field remains promising. Today, psychologists are needed in schools, colleges, and even in offices. They help people to get rid of any mental or emotional problem easily with regular counselling sessions. 

Counsellors are also needed for helping Apart from this, psychologists are also known to provide the relevant emotional support that they need to survive in this competitive world.

FAQs Regarding Career in Psychology

FAQs Regarding Career in Psychology

Q: What is the basic educational qualification for psychologists?

A1: The basic educational qualification for psychologists is completing Graduation or Post Graduation in Psychology from a recognised university. 

Q2: What are the trending career prospects for psychologists?

A2: The trending career prospects for psychologists include job profiles such as Psychologists, Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Criminal Psychologists, Career Psychologists, professors, and Researchers, etc.

Q3: What is the career scope of psychologists?

A3: The career scope of psychologists is good as per current trends. Psychologists have a vast scope in India and it is increasing with each day citing the increase in demand in different industries. 

Q4: Is the career trajectory for a psychologist positive after joining the company?

A4: Yes, the career trajectory for psychologists is positive after joining the company.

Q5: What are the top cities that offer lucrative salary packages for psychologists?

A5: The top cities that offer lucrative salary packages for psychologists are Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and, Gurgaon.

Q6: What is the average salary package for psychologists in India?

A6: The average salary package for psychologists in India is INR 2.4 to INR 7.5 LPA.

Q7: What is the perfect way to get a job after completing psychology?

A7: The perfect way to get a job after completing psychology is to either practice as a professional or one can also choose to apply against the different job recruitments released by different companies.

Q8: What are the top colleges that offer good placements to psychologists?

A8: The top colleges that offer placements to psychologists are Lady Shri Ram College, Jesus and Mary College, Jai Hind College, Mumbai, Fergusson College, Mumbai, Indraprastha College for Women, Mithibai College, Christ College, and St Xavier’s College.

Q9: What are the top companies that offer good placements to psychologists?

A9: The top companies that offer placements to psychologists are TCS, Accenture, Deloitte, Google, Microsoft, Mannah Wellness, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, and Fortis Hospital.

Q10: What skills are required to become a Psychologist?

A10: The top skill required to become a Psychologist is being a good listener apart from skills such as patience, ethics, research, learning attitude, and emotional stability.

Q11: Will the career trajectory of psychologists increase in the upcoming years?

A11: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for psychologists overall will grow by 19 per cent between 2014 and 2024.

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Psychology. Students interested in pursuing a career on Psychology, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Counselling Start

TENTATIVE

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Result

TENTATIVE

21 Feb ' 25

SAT Registration Deadline for March Test

25 Feb ' 25

SAT Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, a...

Feb '25 - Apr '25

CUET 2025 Application Process

TENTATIVE

Apr '25

CUET UG 2025 Application Form Correction

TENTATIVE

Jun '25 - Jul '25

CPGET 2025 Applications

TENTATIVE

Jul '25

CPGET 2025 Admit Card Release

TENTATIVE

Popular Psychology Specializations

Following are the most popular Psychology Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Popular Psychology Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Psychology Colleges in India. Learn more about these Psychology colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
4 Courses
60.81 K - 64.77 K
9.2 LPA

#1 Outlook

5 Courses
24.16 K - 58.66 K
4.62 LPA

#9 Outlook

1.2 L - 16 L
3.3

#44 The Week

Psychology Applications open. Apply Now

6 Courses
432 - 540
4.5 - 5.5 LPA

#13 Outlook

2 Courses
37.63 K - 1.45 L
4.72 LPA

#12 Outlook

3 Courses
40.46 K - 1.04 L
4.8 - 5 LPA

#15 Outlook

Popular Private Psychology Colleges in India

4 Courses
5 L - 18 L
5.0

Psychology Applications open. Apply Now

Psychology Applications open. Apply Now

1.77 L - 3.81 L
4.1 LPA

Psychology Applications open. Apply Now

54 K - 5 L
3.18 LPA

Psychology Applications open. Apply Now

1.2 L - 16 L
3.3

#44 The Week

Psychology Applications open. Apply Now

4 Courses
70 K - 2.8 L

Popular Psychology UG Courses

Following are the most popular Psychology UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Psychology PG Courses

Following are the most popular Psychology PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 22 hours ago

Students should refer to the following books when studying for CUET PG Psychology. Students learning Introduction to Psychology should use the books written by Ciccarelli or Baron. Read the book written by Baron Robert to study Social Psychology. All students should utilize Theories of Personality b

...Read more

K

Kapil Lalwani

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Multiple online psychology courses at educational platforms Coursera and Udemy and edX let you earn certificates within durations of 1-5 weeks as well as few months. Coursera teaches "Introduction to Psychology" for INR 2,411 over 14 hours and Udemy's "Forensic And Criminal Psychology Certification

...Read more

K

Kapil Lalwani

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

A Bachelor of Psychology (B.A. or B.Sc.) is a 3-year undergraduate programme that explores human behavior, emotions, and mental processes. It covers subjects like cognitive and abnormal psychology, research methods, and counseling. Graduates can pursue careers as psychologists, counselors, researche

...Read more

S

Sateesh Kumar Barla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 days ago

It's possible that SRM offers BA in Psychology under a different name (e.g., Applied Psychology, or it might be a specialisation within another program). Also, their course offerings can change.

To find out for sure:

 * Check the SRM website thoroughly: Look for related departments (like Humanities or

...Read more

V

Vivek yadav

Beginner-Level 2

Answered 5 days ago

You might look at institutions and colleges that provide robust academic programs at reasonable prices if you want to study a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Delhi NCR, particularly with an emphasis on high-quality education and economical fees. You must fulfil the qualifying requirements follo

...Read more

N

Nidhi Kumari

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

Cutoff information for the B.A. in Psychology for Fergusson College in the year 2024 comes in at an overall score of 91% to 96% for General category scores for the English Medium program. In terms of SC candidates, it is between 85% and 90%. ST candidates can have a score of 74% to 79%. The cutoff f

...Read more

L

Lalita Kumari

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 6 days ago

Yes, you can enrol in Delhi University's (DU) School of Open Learning (SOL) to pursue an MA in psychology. For those who are unable to attend regular classes or are working professionals, DU SOL provides a Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology that enables online learning. Candidates must have graduated

...Read more

N

Nidhi Kumari

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

Jyoti Nivas Autonomous College, Bangalore

L

Lohitha Buddi

Beginner-Level 2

Answered 6 days ago

Yes,  choosing the subject psychology for CUET-UG is necessary if you want to pursue a B.Sc in Psychology at Banaras Hindu University  (BHU). The CUET-UG exam is a crucial part of the admission process for undergraduate courses at BHU,  including B.Sc Psychology

U

UTKARSH BHOPLE

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a week ago

Students who enjoy learning about Psychology can read various books that have been written about PG Diploma in Psychology. Some of the most popular books that are commonly read by avid readers and people who enjoy Psychology are:

  • Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

  • Predictably Irrational by Dan

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Hi! 

No, PG Diploma in Psychology courses are not necessarily expensive, infact, many online courses and resources are available for students at no cost; however, these courses generally do not provide free certification. Some colleges where students can study a PG Diploma in Psychology at affordable

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

There are various job opportunities for students who have completed a degree in PG Diploma in Psychology. Students can opt for a career in various job industries like academia, journalism, media, health care, addiction, rehabilitation, Social work, etc. Students can choose to work in job profiles li

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

There is vast scope after PG Diploma in Psychology courses. Psychology is a growing field of the sciences. Students can choose to take part in the Psychological scientific research projects. The knowledge gained from studying PG Diploma in Psychology has a lot of relevance among big corporations as

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, you can study PG Diploma in Psychology through distance education. You can enroll for a degree at various Distance/correspondence colleges where you will learn about PG Diploma in Psychology subjects. It will give you the option to learn about various facets of Psychology.

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Hello.

Yes! You can pursue a PG Diploma in Psychology from IGNOU. Students who wish to study PG Diploma in Psychology at IGNOU must first visit the official website of IGNOU and enroll by submitting the application form, selecting psychology as their preference, and paying a nominal application fee.

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

There are various topics that are covered in the PG Diploma in Psychology syllabus. Some of these subjects have been mentioned below:

PG Diploma in Psychology Subjects

Clinical Psychology

Counseling Psychology

Child Psychology

Cyber Psychology

Cognitive Psychology

Sports Psychology

Educational Psychology

Industrial Psychology

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

After eligible students are selected for a course, it is usually followed by a document verification process in most colleges. It is an important part of the admission procedure for PG Diploma in Psychology courses. Some documents that are commonly asked for by colleges for admission to PG Diploma i

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Students who wish to study PG Diploma in Psychology must have completed their UG degree from a recognised board with at least 45% marks. Students from all streams can pursue a PG Diploma in Psychology instead of getting a PG degree. For most colleges, it is not mandatory to study Psychology in their

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

There are many reasons why students should choose to pursue PG Diploma in Psychology courses. The scope of the PG Diploma in Psychology is increasing rapidly, as more research is being conducted around Psychology. A degree in PG Diploma in Psychology can be very helpful in developing skills like cri

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Students generally study PG Diploma in Psychology after their UG Psychology degrees. Many students opt for a  Psychology certificate and UG and PG diplomas. The course duration ranges between 6 months and 1 year for certification and Diploma courses, depending on the institute that offers it. Online

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

After finishing the course in Biological Psychology, candidates have a range of job options to choose from. Some of the job options have been mentioned below:

  • Comparative Psychologist
  • Evolutionary Psychologist
  • Behavioural Neuroscientist
  • Neurologist
  • Cognitive Neuroscientist
  • Professor
  • Lecturer
  • Researcher

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The average salary of Biological Psychology is INR 4 lakh. The salary increases as per the experience and job responsibilities.

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Candidates must typically have finished their higher secondary school (10+2) from an accredited board with an emphasis on courses like biology, psychology, physics, and chemistry in order to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to a B.Sc. programme in biological psychology. In the 12th gr

...Read more

N

Nidhi Kumari

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago


The field of biological psychology, sometimes referred to as biopsychology or psychobiology, provides a variety of courses that concentrate on the relationship between behaviour and biology. Students can usually find courses like Introduction to Biological Psychology at the undergraduate level, whic

...Read more

N

Nidhi Kumari

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Many textbooks are considered required reading for students studying biological psychology because of their thorough coverage of the topic. James W. Kalat's Biological Psychology is one of the best-selling books. It makes difficult ideas understandable for students by clearly explaining the workings

...Read more

N

Nidhi Kumari

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Hi! 

No, Biological Psychology courses are not necessarily expensive, infact, many online courses and resources are available for students at no cost; however, these courses generally do not provide free certification. Another option that most students choose is to pursue Biological Psychology as a s

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

There are various job opportunities for students who have completed a degree in Biological Psychology. Students can opt for a career in various job industries like academia, journalism, media, nutrition, health care, addiction, rehabilitation, Social work, etc. Students can choose to work in job pro

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

There is vast scope after Biological Psychology courses. It is a growing field of psychological sciences. Students can choose to take part in the Biological Psychology scientific research projects. The knowledge gained from studying Biological Psychology has a lot of relevance among big corporations

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, you can study Biological Psychology through distance education. You can enroll for a Psychology degree at various Distance/correspondence colleges where you will also learn about Biological Psychology subjects. It will give you the option to learn about various other branches of Psychology as w

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Hello.

Biological Psychology is not a separate course that is provided by IGNOU, but students can study it as a part of their BA (Hons.) Psychology degree from IGNOU. Students who wish to study Psychology at IGNOU must first visit the official website of IGNOU and enrol by submitting the application

...Read more

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Find insights & recommendations on colleges and exams that you won't find anywhere else

On Shiksha, get access to

  • 64k Colleges
  • 968 Exams
  • 627k Reviews
  • 1500k Answers