Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)
Southern New Hampshire University
Featured Program: Various Degrees in Nursing & Health Care
The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for Sports Psychology around the country.
What We Do
Sports psychology is one of the most interesting psychology specializations around, particularly for those interested in exercise and sports. The role of this type of psychologist is to maximize an athlete’s performance, while at the same time focusing on the extreme mental pressures that athletes usually experience. Sports psychologists motivate, improve well being, and help athletes overcome any problem that could stop them from reaching top performance. Additionally, they help to promote the importance of both sports and healthy living to the wider public.
Work Environment
Sports psychologists can be found in a variety of different fields. The most popular career option is to work with top athletes, for instance in national teams. In addition, this type of psychologists can also be found in a range of different clinics as well as in educational establishments. Finally, they can have their own private practice and work together with athletes from Little League performers to Olympians.
How to Become a Sports Psychology
Sports psychologists have to complete a doctorate degree in order to call themselves “psychologists” and practice their profession. To achieve this, they must first complete an undergraduate degree (not necessarily in psychology), followed by a graduate degree. They can then choose to either complete the Ph.D., which is a research degree, or the Psy.D., which is a clinical degree. Most sports psychologists will choose the latter.
Training & Certification Requirements
Each state has its own regulations in place in terms of licensing requirements for sports psychologists and how these licenses must be maintained. A license is required in every state.
Sports Psychology Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Sports Psychology.
| Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Retail Sales Representative Benefit | $40,000 |
| Health Solutions Sales Agent | $61,000 |
| Physician Psychiatry Hospitalist | $163,000 |
| Account Representative Specialist | $39,000 |
| Product Marketing | $96,000 |
| Restaurant Retail and Hospitality | $35,000 |
| Marketing Public Relations | $33,000 |
| Field Relations Representative | $31,000 |
| Client Development Representative | $31,000 |
| Currently Hiring | $41,000 |
Sports Psychology Earning Potential
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median earnings for all psychologists in May 2015 was $72,580 per year. This means half earn less than this, and the other half earn more. A sports psychologist’s actual salary will vary greatly depending on where a particular individual works. Someone who works for a national team, for instance, is likely to earn more than someone who works in a public school.
Sports Psychology Job Outlook
The BLS has also reported that there will be a 19% growth in demand for all psychologists between the years of 2014 and 2024. This projected growth is much faster than the national average. It is believed that significant growth will be experienced specifically in the field of sports psychology because interest has been raised significantly, not in the least because of the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Sports Psychology was $33,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide are 42% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Sports Psychology Salary by State
The following lists Sports Psychology salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $42,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $21,000.
| Alaska – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Alabama – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Grandview Medical Center. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Arkansas – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Arizona – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SAIC. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| California – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Moreno Valley Unified School District, Calistoga Joint Unified, The Foundation For Hispanic Education, and Calexico Unified School District. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Colorado – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like City and County of Denver, University of Denver, A+ Athletics, and MERCY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Connecticut – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Synchrony Financial, The Village For Families & Children, Justice Resource Institute – Susan Wayne Center of Excellence, and UCONN Health Center. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| DC – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), YMCA Bethesda Chevy Chase, and College Nannies & Tutors Development, Inc.. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Delaware – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Christiana Care. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Florida – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like G4S, Apalachee Center, Inc, NuView Connections Inc, and Florida Hospital – Physician Jobs. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Georgia – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dept Behavioral Hlth& Dev Disb, Georgia Highlands College, Department of Human Services, and City Business Solutions. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Hawaii – $21,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Queen's Medical Center. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Iowa – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ENDURANCE CONSULTING GROUP, The Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, and ZENITH SPECIALIZED MARKETING, INC.. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Idaho – $22,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Universal Health Services, University of Idaho, Boulder Creek Academy, and Northwest Academy. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Illinois – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Meridian Health Plan, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago Vision, and Illinois State University. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Indiana – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Indiana University Health, Ball State University, Boys and Girls Club of Kentuckiana, and Performance Assessment Network. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Kansas – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics, Osawatomie State Hospital, and Sherriff & Associates, Inc. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Kentucky – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Promotions Group. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Louisiana – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Elizabeth's Hospital, SAIC, Family Preservation Services, and Louisiana State Government. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Massachusetts – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, EMARC, Inc., and My Gym Framingham. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Maryland – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Howard County, MD, YMCA Bethesda Chevy Chase, and College Nannies & Tutors Development, Inc.. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Maine – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Michigan – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Michigan, Meridian Health Plan, University of Michigan Health System, and Hope Network Behavioral Health. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Minnesota – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Allina Health, Fairview Health Services, RESOURCE, Inc., and HealthEast. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Missouri – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Acadia Healthcare Facilities, Atlantic Business Consultants Group, Inc., Fusion Marketing, and Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Mississippi – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Montana – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Benefis Health System and Benefis Hospitals. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| North Carolina – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UMC Direct, SAIC, Netsertive, and North Carolina State University. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| North Dakota – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Nebraska – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like County of Kent. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| New Hampshire – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Concord Family YMCA, The Granite YMCA, Becket Family of Services, and Pines Community Center. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| New Jersey – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like My Gym Children's Fitness Center, City Business Solutions, Suttle and King, and Audible, Inc.. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| New Mexico – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bernalillo County Government. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Nevada – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sport-Social and Cirque du Soleil. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| New York – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like City Business Solutions, New York City Department of Education ., Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation, and Police Athletic League of New York. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Ohio – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Harvard Avenue Performance Academy, Northland Preparatory and Fitness Academy, University of Cincinnati, and Whitehall Preparatory and Fitness Academy. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Oklahoma – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Charity Advertising and Marketing Partners and University of Central Oklahoma. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Oregon – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Oregon, PediaStaff, and Glumac. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Pennsylvania – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ReMed Recovery Care Centers, WellSpan Health Services, City Business Solutions, and Penn State Hershey Medical Center. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Rhode Island – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Providence School Department and The State of Rhode Island. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| South Carolina – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like My Gym Children's Fitness Center. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| South Dakota – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sanford Health, Dakota Counseling Institute, and City of Brookings. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Tennessee – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Texas – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Boy & Girls Club of Greater Fort Worth, Houston Community College, Ranch at DoveTree, and UT Health Science Center at Houston. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Utah – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Neuropractors, Utah State University, and IASIS Physician Recruitment. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Virginia – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Augusta County Parks and Recreation, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Carilion Clinic, and Liberty University. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Vermont – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gifford Medical Center. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Washington – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like College Nannies & Tutors Development, Inc., Eastern Washington University, PediaStaff, and Western Washington University. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Wisconsin – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mayo Clinic, FOX CITY MARKETING, INC., Madison School & Community Recreation, and Essentia Health. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| West Virginia – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Pinnacle Health Group, LLC and West Virginia University. | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Wyoming – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
| Average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Sports Psychology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
