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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 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in mentoring in order to counsel clients and provide therapy; in helping clients manage physical illness and disorders, and in offering mediation services
Interest in co-ordinating information to formulate hypotheses and experimental designs, conduct studies and publish research papers, educational texts and articles; and to plan intervention programs and conduct program evaluation
Interest in reviewing literature and administering psychological tests
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
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 27 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 19, 2021 and Jul 13, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 14 |
|---|---|
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Provincial or territorial Psychologist's Certificate of Registration | 14 |
| Tasks: Provide therapy | 14 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 13 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 13 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 13 |
| Construction Specialization: Dependability | 13 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 13 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 13 |
| Construction Specialization: Values and ethics | 13 |
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 search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
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.
In the 4151: Psychologists occupational group, 81.3% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 4151: Psychologists occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 2% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 66 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
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 2016 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 [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $27.36 | $54.49 | $38.31 | $37.42 |
| Overall | $32.53 | $62.54 | $51.30 | $49.54 |
| Top | $37.69 | $70.51 | $55.63 | $53.36 |
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 | $89,327 |
|---|---|
| Educational Services | $80,110 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $89,848 |
| Public Administration | $100,306 |
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.
