There was an error. Please try again.
This page is already listed in your guide. Please choose a different page to add.
Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist, Counsellor, Forensic Psychologist, Industrial Psychologist, Organizational Psychologist, Rehabilitation Psychologist, Research Psychologist, Social Scientist, Therapist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Psychologists study and manage the way humans behave. They develop, use, score, and interpret results of tests that look at personality and intellectual functions. Such tests often form the foundation of a mental-health diagnosis and treatment. Their work can involve individuals, families, or large groups, such as government or corporations. Because of the academic nature of their education, psychologists are trained to do research and develop /evaluate programs. The field is broad, and they usually specialize in one area.
Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat problems related to emotions and adjustment. They may treat children, adults, families, or groups. They may assess and treat psychological factors linked to physical health problems. They may use various methods to assess problems and to design, carry out, and evaluate treatment programs. They may specialize in areas such as:
Clinical psychologists spend a lot of their time in direct contact with clients. They work in hospitals, clinics, mental-health facilities, prisons, or private practice.
Counselling psychologists provide one-on-one, group, or family counselling services. They spend a lot of time in direct contact with clients. Some do consulting work for schools, social service agencies, and businesses. Others work in clinics, community agencies, schools, rehabilitation centres, or private practice.
School psychologists assess and treat children and young adults who have educational, vocational, and emotional problems. They may provide consulting services related to managing classrooms or providing learning assistance to students. They work for school boards, learning assistance centres in colleges or universities, or in private practice.
Industrial or organizational psychologists find solutions for problems in business and industry. For example, they may focus on:
Some large companies have psychologists on staff. Most hire them as consultants.
Research or experimental psychologists conduct research in specific areas. These can include human development, psychopathology, social psychology, neuroscience, perception, motivation, emotion, learning, language, or personality. They may observe and interview people to understand the way they behave, using scientific methods to gather data. They may work in labs and focus on relationships through experiments and questionnaires. Or they may study the way animals behave.
Research psychologists tend to work for colleges or universities. They may also work for government departments or private research agencies.
Psychologists work in many other areas, such as:
Research psychologists spend most of their time in offices and labs. Others work in different settings, depending on their specialty. Some travel to several locations, such as school to school.
Hours of work vary depending on many factors, such as clients’ needs. Work hours may combine regular office hours with some evenings and weekends.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Psychologists
2023 OaSIS: 31200.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Those who work directly with people need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 37 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 19, 2021 and Oct 22, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Provincial or territorial Psychologist's Certificate of Registration | 21 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 20 |
| Construction Specialization: Dependability | 20 |
| Tasks: Provide therapy | 19 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 18 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 18 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 18 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 18 |
| Construction Specialization: Values and ethics | 18 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 18 |
In Alberta, the minimum education requirement for psychologists is a master’s degree. It must include the coursework required to register with the College of Alberta Psychologists. It may be a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Counselling (MC), Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree. Regardless of the specific degree, it must include the specific courses required to work as a Registered Psychologist.
In most other provinces (and American states), a psychologist must have at least a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) in a relevant aspect of psychology. Most clinical psychologists have a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Those who specialize in fields such as clinical neuropsychology may have further training.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Psychologists assess and diagnose challenges in thinking, feeling, and behaving. They develop and evaluate programs to help individuals, groups, or communities manage these challenges. They research, develop, and apply theories about relational behaviour and mental processes. They also teach, consult, and supervise.
Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Psychologists Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) is mandatory. Only registered members may provide restricted activities specified in the Regulations. This includes those who:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Psychologist.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Psychologists work in:
More and more, psychologists work in program development and evaluation, community consulting, and administering government and community social and mental-health services.
With experience or further education, psychologists may administer programs or teach at the post-secondary level.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Psychologists
2016 NOC: 4151
81.3% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
In general, psychologists in the private sector earn more than those who work in other sectors. A suggested fee schedule for private practice can be found on the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $38.18 | $51.31 | $44.11 | $42.53 |
| Overall | $44.22 | $63.98 | $53.95 | $53.73 |
| Top | $44.22 | $95.05 | $61.79 | $62.50 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $96,200 |
|---|---|
| Educational Services | $97,891 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $95,070 |
| Public Administration | $108,511 |
Canadian Psychological Association website: www.cpa.ca
College of Alberta Psychologists website: www.cap.ab.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
Psychologists' Association of Alberta website: www.psychologistsassociation.ab.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
