Salary Outlook with Ph.D. in Sports Psychology Degree
Sports psychology has been recognized as a specialty by the American Psychological Association (APA) for many years. Professionals who want to earn this degree generally want to work as a licensed sport psychologist, but there are other options as well.
With a Ph.D. in sports psychology, you may work as an academic researcher, athletic coach, health program director, performance coach, professor, or sports rehabilitation specialist. Note that at least 20 NCAA Division 1 universities have a sports psychologist on staff, and dozens more have outside contracts with a sports psychologist.
If you want to earn this degree, you will need to devote four to six years of study, plus pay a lot of money. So, it is wise to consider the salary outlook with a Ph.D. in sports psychology. Below is more detailed information.
Salary Outlook
The first thing to take a look at is the salary potential for all psychologists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual salary for all psychologists is $92,740. The bottom 10% salary is $52,430 and lower, while the highest-paid earned within the top 10% salary which starts at $151,880.
BLS data also shows the all other psychologists category, which includes sports psychologists, earn a median salary of $117,750 per year.
The APA notes that sports psychology is a hot and growing field.
Here’s the salary breakdown for all other psychologists, which includes sports psychologists:
- Bottom 25% – $76,550 and lower
- Average – $110,300
- Top 25% – $138,280 and higher
- Top 10% – $157,420 and higher
Some professionals with their PhD in sports psychology may want to work as college professors. The BLS states the median salary for psychology post-secondary instructors is $82,140. The competition for full-time positions can be fierce.
High Salary Growth in Ph.D. in Sports Psychology Job
The occupation of sports psychologist offers a strong salary potential, with salaries for those with PhDs in the field tend to be highest. The top 10% comes to mind here – $157,420 and up. Division 1 college programs in the US routinely employ sports psychologists as good sports programs attract the best student-athletes and make money for the university.
Ph.D. Job Outlook
There is strong demand as a whole in the psychology field, with 7% job growth expected between 2023 and 2033. For all other psychologists the demand is 5%, above the national average.
Also, the sports market in the US currently generates more than $400 billion in revenue each year. The American passion for sports means athletes have a lot of pressure on them to perform. Sports organizations and departments are looking for a competitive edge, and they are looking to hire more sports or performance psychologists.
APA reports there are many exciting job opportunities for sports psychologists in Division I sports, as well as the military. Some sports psychologists find plenty of work in private practice, helping athletes in all sports.
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and labor market information for Psychologists, Post-secondary psychology teachers, and Psychologists, all other is based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2025.
Featured Online Ph.D. in Sports Psychology Programs
Students interested in an exciting career in sports psychology may choose to earn a Ph.D. in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance Psychology at Grand Canyon University. (GCU.edu)
Performance psychology at GCU focuses on key aspects of human psychology in professional sports performance, especially psychomotor performance. This Ph.D. is designed for learners who want to apply research sports psychology, specifically how emotion, cognition, and motivation affect peak sports performance. Graduates of this online Ph.D. program will understand how to use psychological principles to boost and enhance sports performance.
The Ph.D. in Performance Psychology is focused around these aspects:
- Theoretical foundations of cognition, emotion and behavior in sports
- Theories and constructs of psychomotor skill and motor control to boost performance and learning
- Behavior modification techniques to boost individual sports performance
- Sports psychology theories to enhance leadership
- How to apply psychological principles that underly superior sports performance
Professionals who want to advance their careers in medicine, sports, business, sales, marketing, and psychology can benefit from this Ph.D. degree. The program integrates research and hands-on methodology that you will need to complete your dissertation. Many students with this degree work in psychotherapy, training, higher education, research, and fitness and nutrition.
Required courses include:
- Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Theory
- Behaviorism
- Statistics
- Psychomotor Performance
- Principles of Behavior Modification
- Performance Enhancement
Conclusion
Earning a Ph.D. in sports psychology can be the ticket to a rewarding career both financially and personally. With the great interest in competitive sports in the US, there is more need for excellent sports psychologists working for high school, college and professional sports programs.
Also, the US Army currently is the biggest employer of sport psychologists. In military settings, Performance Enhancement Specialists work with soldiers, families, and civilians to build resilience in the face of adversity, whether it is being deployed for the third time or dealing with the death of a loved one in combat.
Sports psychologists with their Ph.D. also work often in private practice as they work with high school and college athletes to give them an edge. Some parents of high school athletes will pay a lot of money out of pocket to have their student-athlete mentally trained to perform at their peak so they can earn a sports scholarship.
Many lucrative opportunities exist with a Ph.D. in sports psychology, so this degree is worthy of consideration by those with a passion for enhancing sports and personal performance.
References
- Things You Can Do With a Doctorate In Psychology Degree. 2019 (N.D.). Retrieved from: https://psydprograms.org/50-things-you-can-do-with-a-psychology-degree/
- Highest Paying Psychology Careers in 2019. (2019). Retrieved from https://psydprograms.org/top-highest-paying-psychology-careers/
- What is Performance Psychology (2020). N.D. Retrieved from https://psydprograms.org/what-is-performance-psychology/