Labor Market – Psychology

I have received many emails from people interested in knowing what the job market in Psychology is like: what are the available opportunities, places where you can work, salary range, as well as information about how the college works, that is, duration, whether it is difficult or easy, among other questions.

In this text, therefore, I will try to answer these questions, taking into account my experience, the experience of my colleagues and general information about the area of ​​activity in Brazil.

Well, we can start with the question whether psychology college is easy or difficult. The difficulty of a college, in my opinion, is directly related to the interest of the student. If there is a strong and real interest in attending that college, the study necessarily becomes easier, because it is more pleasurable and instigating.

The Faculty of Psychology is a course that lasts from 4 to 5 years, depending on the curriculum of each University. At the time I did my graduation, the course lasted 10 periods. I graduated in 9 periods (4 and a half years) because I always took more subjects than the minimum required.

See also – Why study psychology at university?

Curricular Grid Faculty of Psychology

The curriculum is very wide, ranging from knowledge related to biology and medicine (such as anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology, pharmacology), through introduction to philosophy, sociology and anthropology to subjects related to statistics and methods of quantitative research and laboratory experiences.

Specifically on psychology, subjects related to developmental psychology (childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age), theories of personality, educational and school psychology are studied, as well as subjects linked to different approaches to psychology such as psychoanalysis, humanistic psychology, psychology existential, analytical psychology, gestalt and behavioral psychology or behaviorism. Depending on the number of professors linked to each of the approaches, the University will be stronger and more directed towards one or some of those approaches.

After introducing the approaches, psychology students study subjects related to practice rather than theory. Interview techniques, clinical psychology techniques, selection and recruitment (for work psychology and organizational psychology), group dynamics, and matters related to the diagnosis and prognosis of mental illnesses come into play.

At the end of college, there is a requirement to fulfill internship hours. In some Universities it is necessary to carry out internships in different areas such as clinical psychology, work psychology, social or community psychology or in the area in which the student wants to learn. The student can also develop monitoring activities, teaching assistance and research at the scientific initiation level.

After graduating, the professional will be able to work virtually anywhere there is a human being. Yes, because if we think about the definition that “psychology is the science that studies mental and emotional processes and human behavior”, the psychologist will be present in all areas of human activity.

Find out more about the Code of Ethics – Psychology

To make it clearer: the psychology professional is required to work in schools, hospitals, clinics and offices, in companies and organizations, in the psychological assessment to obtain the CNH (National Driver’s License), in NGOs, city halls, communities and groups, in institutions linked to professional sports (sports psychology) and even in occasional moments of tragedy in the so-called psychology of emergencies and disasters.

The area is very wide, as you can see in the examples above. What about the salary range? How much does a psychologist earn?

According to the Union of Psychologists of the State of Minas Gerais, the calculation made for the contribution to the Union (which is spontaneous and not obligatory), of R$ 69.90 – sixty-nine reais and ninety cents – takes into account the average wages for a day’s work. That is, the Union in a survey found that, on average, psychology professionals earn R$69.90 per day of work.

If we do the math for 20 days of work, the average salary is R$ 1,398 (One thousand three hundred and ninety-eight reais). If we do the math for 30 days, the average salary is R$ 2,097 (Two thousand and ninety-seven reais).

The Union maintains mobilization practices for the creation of a national wage floor. What was established, in terms of claims, is the floor of 4 minimum wages for a 20-hour week and 6 minimum wages for a 30-hour week.

But such values ​​are values ​​of an average salary. Like every average, there are people who earn more and less than the average. For example, I’ve seen Public Contests for City Halls offering a salary between R$600 and R$800 for 20 hours a week (4 hours a day or part-time). That is, below the average expected by the Union.

However, it is more common, currently, in Public Tenders the following:

• For 20 hours a week – Range from R$1,200 to R$1,400
• For 40 hours a week – Range from R$2,000 to R$3,000

Thinking now about professionals who earn above average. I know professionals in the field of occupational psychology who earn between R$6,000 and R$10,000. And eventually, when managers even more: BRL 15,000.

I also know clinical psychology professionals who charge R$300 for an hour consultation. And having a full office, they earn even more than R$15,000.

Another area that is well paid is the Academic area. Many Doctor Professors earn between R$6,000 and R$10,000 – whether in Public or Private Universities.

In order to have a clear idea of ​​what the salary range of a Psychology Professional is like, it is also interesting to know the table of fees provided by the Federal Council of Psychology. See at the end of this text the table that was prepared in 2007 (therefore, a little outdated).

Finally, the salary range varies according to a series of factors such as geographic location (in some States the salary is higher and, in general, in larger cities you earn more), available opportunities, time since graduation, experience, contacts with other professionals, etc.

See also the comments below the table, in which I answer questions from several readers!

Psychological Diagnosis Lower Limit Medium Limit
Superior Psychological Consultation
Psychological consultation for clarification and understanding of the patient’s conditions, is carried out by the psychologist to identify emotional disturbances, conduct problems, psychomotor dysfunction, among others. 81.62 122.00 139.93 History
A set of information obtained by the psychologist from the patient and/or family members to survey their life history, in order to enable a conclusion about their psychological state. 81.62 118.19 139.93 Preparation of professional profile
Elaboration of a professional, occupational, job profile, based on the description and systematization of behaviors for the performance of positions and functions. 69.97 120.51 163.28 Assessment of school performance and learning
Analysis of the teacher-student relationship, in specific school situations, to obtain clarification on the student’s difficulties regarding their subsequent school development and eventual referral to psychological/school assistance services. 69.97 120.28 139.93 Psychological Assessment
Psychological assessment of the intellectual and emotional conditions of children, adolescents and adults, intended to support legal processes and others that require the psychologist to act as an expert, as occurs, for example, in the case of contesting wills, acceptance into foster homes, decision court for child custody, decision on paternal power. 93.29 116.61 152.75 Assessment of sports psychological characteristics
Psychological examination and conclusions about the psychological aspects that favor or compromise personal fulfillment and performance in sports activities. 81.62 122.84 151.59 Literacy readiness assessment 81.62 121.94 151.59 Intellectual level assessment
Analysis of the individual’s ability to use intellectual functions. In general, intelligence is evaluated in terms of understanding, analysis-synthesis, reasoning, judgment, attention-concentration and memory using simple and complex intelligence and reasoning tests. 69.97 123.98 139.93 Psychomotor Assessment
Set of procedures (which may or may not include tests) used to assess the child’s psychomotor development, including motor organization and integration, temporal orientation, spatial orientation, body scheme, among others. 69.97 121.66 139.93 Psychomotor Assessment Related to Graphics
Use of psychological instruments to indicate the level of perceptive-motor development of the individual, allowing greater clarification of the differential diagnosis of disorders of emotional and/or neurological origin. 69.97 120.44 139.93 Assessment of personality characteristics
Use of psychological instruments to assess individual personality traits and characteristics in terms of affective-emotional aspects. In general, it is carried out using tests, mainly projective ones. 69.97 131.57 144.59 Assessment of personality structure and dynamics
Personality assessment without the use of tests With the use of instruments other than psychological tests, to analyze cognitive or intellectual aspects, affective-emotional or unconscious aspects, as well as to identify the interference of these aspects in the individual’s psychic balance and in his intellectual production. 81.62 136.54 153.92 Feedback interview
To communicate the results of the psychological assessment to the patient and/or family and carry out relevant referrals. 81.62 117.58 139.93 Field observation with school and home visits
Field observation with school/home visits or to other institutions that assist the patient, involving the professional’s mobility to carry out technical activities, aiming to complement the psychological diagnosis. 86.28 116.61 139.93 Working with the community
Work with the community in a multidisciplinary team, promoting studies that assess the pricosocial characteristics of groups and carrying out diagnoses in community programs in the areas of health, leisure, education, work and safety. 40.82 97.35 139.93 Psychological exams (psychotechnics)
for drivers
Conducting psychological (psychotechnical) professional aptitude tests on candidates for driving licenses 51.32 95.71 139.93 Conducting psychological assessments for granting registration and/or carrying a firearm 151.37 252.28 353 ,19 Psychopedagogical Guidance Lower Limit Average Limit
Superior Conducting research
Carrying out research related to the understanding of the teaching-learning process and knowledge of the psychosocial characteristics…