Salary Outlook with PhD in Quantitative Psychology Degree
All Ph.D. graduates in psychology will take classes in statistics and quantitative methods, but quantitative psychology is a growing subfield of its own that focuses on research and development in psychology using statistics, measurement, and methodology. (APA.org)
With a Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology, you will focus on improving research methods, exploring applications of new statistical models, and identifying new ways to apply methodologies to answer complex psychological research questions. For example, as a quantitative psychologist, you may specialize in how to improve the design of surveys and questionnaires to obtain the most accurate and complete responses.
If you are interested in earning your Ph.D. in quantitative psychology, plan to spend four to six years in college – full time. With this type of time and financial commitment, it is important to consider your salary potential in this field. Learn more about the salary outlook in this psychology specialty below.
Salary Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the median salary for all psychologists is $92,740. The lowest 10% salary is $52,430 annually, and the top 10% salaries start at $151,880 per year. BLS data also shows the median salary for all other psychologists, including quantitative psychologists, is $110,300 per year.
Quantitative psychologists are classified in the all other psychologists category. These salaries break down as follows:
- Bottom 25 percent – $76,550 and lower
- Average – $110,300
- Median – $117,750
- Top 25 percent – $138,280 and higher
- Top 10 percent – $157,420 and higher
The sectors offering the highest average salaries for this category are:
- Scientific research and development – $131,220
- Educational support – $123,260
- Local government, excluding schools and hospitals – $118,690
- Federal, state, and local government (excluding schools and hospitals) – $117,690
14,480 professionals are classified in the all other psychologists category. The top-employing sectors for this class of professional are:
- Federal, state, and local government (excluding schools and hospitals) – 8,360 professionals
- Offices of other health practitioners – 1,500 professionals
- Medical and surgical hospitals – 830 professionals
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools – 800 professionals
- Outpatient care centers – 550 professionals
If you are interested in working as a college instructor or professor in quantitative psychology, the average salary is $93,990 for post-secondary psychology teachers.
High Salary Growth in Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology Job
If you earn a PhD in quantitative psychology, you can earn the highest salary by working in scientific research, educational support services, or with local government. The average salary in these sectors for psychologists in this category is above $118,000.
Ph.D. Job Outlook
The BLS reports there is good demand for all psychologists looking forward. Between 2023 and 2033 these jobs are projected to increase by 7%. For professionals interested in a career as a psychology professor, job demand will increase by 5% through 2033. This same growth rate is anticipated for all other psychologist jobs, which is better than the general average for all occupations.
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and labor market information for Psychologists and Psychologists, all other is based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2025.
Career Opportunities
With a Ph.D. in quantitative psychology, you can work in a variety of occupations in the psychology field. Quantitative psychologists work in colleges and universities, research centers, private organizations and businesses, and for the federal government. Some quantitative psychologists work as consultants on research projects. (APA.org)
In addition to working as a practicing psychologist or college professor, here are two interesting job possibilities with this degree:
- Testing companies: Test publishes, including Pearson, College Board and ACT are some of the largest employers of quantitative psychologists. Psychologists at these companies work in psychometrics, also known as the measurement of knowledge. You will help to develop new college admissions tests and state standardized assessments for elementary and secondary schools. They also may design tests for government agencies and corporations for new worker hiring and evaluation.
- School systems, health care companies and private research firms: Work as a program analyst to assess the design, implementation and effectiveness of various public programs in education or health. You may study and improvement initiatives that intend to raise standardized test scores for at-risk youth, or programs designed to reduce high school drop out rates.
Featured Online Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology Programs
While there are no available online Ph.D. programs in quantitative psychology at this time, Walden University does offer a Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Research. (Walden.edu). This unique specialization features courses in survey research, tests and measurement, advanced mixed-methods analysis and multivariate analysis. Required courses include:
- Research Theory, Design and Methods
- Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
- Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
- Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
- Survey Research Methods
- Multivariate Analysis and Data Mining
- Tests and Measurement
- Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis
Walden University also allows you to self-design your program of study to earn your Ph.D. YOu can choose four specialization courses in the Ph.D. in Psychology program to fit your needs and career goals. With this flexibility and with the above research-related courses, you can earn a degree that is the equivalent of a Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology. And, you can do it online from the comfort of your own home so that you can keep up with your professional and personal obligations.
Conclusion
If you have a passion for psychology and a strong interest in using data and statistics to solve difficult problems, such as developing new test score baselines and evaluative measures to discover who could qualify for public health services, earning a Ph.D. in quantitative psychology could be an excellent choice.
The demand for psychologists with a strong background in quantitative analysis is high and growing, especially as new research methodologies and innovations come to light. Also, demand for more data-driving decision making in the public and private sectors is on the rise, which increases the demand for psychologists in this specialty.
Many lucrative job options exist for holders of a Ph.D. in psychology in this and other specialties, with income potential well over $100,000 per year, so this is definitely a degree to consider to bolster your career prospects.