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Forensic Psychology Salary
Forensic Psychology is a field that combines the exciting vocations of psychology and criminal justice. Over the last several decades, law enforcement personnel have learned the importance of psychology in their work. Forensic psychologists create new policies, evaluate mental state and competency, and testify in the courtroom. With so many applications of forensic psychology in the real world, it is no wonder that the demand for more forensic psychologists grows every year. If you have ever considered working in this exciting field, now is the time! Demand is growing, and employers are more willing than ever to pay a generous forensic psychology salary to get the best in the field.
Forensic Psychology Salary
Forensic psychologists put in extensive time and training to master the skills they need to succeed into the workplace. Because of the time commitment, forensic psychologists earn one of the highest salaries in the criminal justice field. Your salary will depend on where you work, your specialization, and your experience. In 2011, the average forensic psychology salary was $60,000. Nearly all forensic psychologists earned more than $45,000 a year, and that includes forensic psychologists who are in their first year of work. The average income for an experienced forensic psychologist is $73,000, which translates to a whopping $35 an hour! Of course, with a little more training and experience, you can earn over $100,000 a year.
Why Does the Salary Vary?
Forensic psychologists work in varied roles within the criminal justice network, so a forensic psychology salary depends greatly on what work you choose to do. If you choose to work in research or policy development, you will need less education. A bachelor’s degree usually suffices. If you are dedicated to working in the public sector, you will find that your starting income is lower than that of your colleagues in the private sector, but only for the first 3 years. After that, you can expect to benefit from a higher forensic psychology salary and better job security. Of course, one of the best advantages of working as a forensic psychologist is variability. If you find that you do not earn enough where you are, or simply want a change, you can find work in a completely different area and all of your training, certifications and work experience follow you.
For many of the best careers, your income is much higher if you live near a big city, such as Chicago or Los Angeles. The income disparity between large metropolitan areas and smaller rural towns emanates from cost of living differences. However, after tossing both extremes out of the salary comparison equation, the median forensic psychology salary is fairly even between all of the states. Even if you live in Wyoming or Rhode Island, you can still expect a salary near the national average.
How Do I Earn a Forensic Psychology Salary?
Forensic psychologists do more than train to understand the human mind. They learn how to apply their psychological training in the world of criminal justice, making them some of the best-trained professionals in the workforce. Most of the training comes through the education system. Most employers require a master’s degree, and a doctorate degree raises your salary by a considerable amount. Many employers also seek those who have procured certifications and have completed internships or other training. Many schools today cater to forensic psychologists, helping you to reach your career goal faster than ever. You do not have to feel like your dreams are out of reach. Online education makes it easier than ever to become a forensic psychologist so that you can get closer to that high forensic psychology salary.
