Key takeaways:
- Top entry-level jobs for psych majors:
- Case Worker
- Social Worker
- Youth Program Coordinator
- Behavioral Health Technician
- HR Specialist
- Research Assistant
- Mental Health Technician – a key entry-level role for psych majors
- Median annual salary: $42,200
- Key skills required:
- Emotional resilience
- Communication skills
- Empathy
- Compassion
- Strong observation skills
- Stamina and physical strength
- Qualifications required:
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or related field
- CPR training
- Crisis intervention training
- Behavioral and health screening
- Career paths it leads to:
- Social Worker
- Counselor
- Psychologist
A psychology degree leads to a diverse range of career paths. Even though to become a psychologist, you need additional training and an advanced degree, typically a doctorate, there are many other people-centered and meaningful career paths you can pursue with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In fact, there are plenty of entry-level jobs for psych majors where you can build real-world experience, grow professionally, and begin making a difference immediately.
One of the most popular and impactful early-career options is becoming a Mental Health Technician, but it is not the only one and may not be the ideal choice for all. Thus, this article explores the mental health tech role in depth and highlights other entry-level jobs that psychology majors can pursue as they begin their professional journey.
Mental Health Technician – what do they do, core responsibilities, and more
A Mental Health Technician is also called a psychiatric technician, behavioral health technician, or mental health aide. They work directly with patients who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric challenges and are receiving treatment for them. Their main responsibility is to aid the patients receiving treatment to make it as smooth as possible, and to do so, they work with a team of professionals.
Mental health tech jobs offer an up-close look at how mental health treatment works at the ground level. Thus, many aspiring counselors, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists pursue mental health tech roles as they help develop critical skills needed for many psychology jobs.
Related: Psychology vs social work vs counseling – which degree is better?
Mental Health Technicians typically work in:
- Hospitals – psychiatric or general
- Residential treatment centers
- Inpatient psychiatric units
- Addiction recovery programs
- Crisis stabilization units
- Correctional mental health programs
Average salary of a mental health technician
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychiatric Aides, including Mental Health Technicians, earn a median salary of $42,200 per year as of May 2024. It is important to note that the exact salary depends upon multiple factors, including skill level, qualifications, and employer.
Core responsibilities
The exact roles and responsibilities of a mental health technician vary by employment organization, education level, and many other factors. The typical responsibilities include:
- Support patient care and daily functioning, such as helping with hygiene, meals, or daily routines.
- Monitor patient behavior, mood, and interactions, reporting changes to nurses or clinicians.
- Assist in crisis intervention, including helping de-escalate volatile situations under supervision.
- Participate in therapeutic activities, such as group sessions, recreational programs, or skill-building exercises.
- Document patient progress, observations, and incidents with accuracy and confidentiality.
- Ensure safety, maintain a secure environment, and prevent self-harm or harm to others.
- Build therapeutic rapport, offering empathy, support, and consistent boundaries.
Skills needed to become a Mental Health Technician
Working as a mental health tech requires a mix of interpersonal, emotional, and practical skills. The exact skills required will vary by employer and demands of the workplace setting. However, here is a list of skills that employers look for in the ideal candidate.
1. Emotional resilience
Mental health environments can be intense. You’ll encounter crises, behavioral challenges, and emotionally charged situations. Handling stress constructively is crucial.
2. Strong communication skills
You must communicate clearly with patients and collaborate effectively with nurses, doctors, and therapists. Active listening helps build trust and reduces conflict.
3. Empathy and compassion
Patients may be distressed, confused, or frustrated. Showing understanding, while maintaining professional boundaries, is essential to providing effective care.
4. Observation skills
Much of the job involves noticing subtle changes in behavior, mood, or routine and reporting them promptly. A good technician is always alert.
5. Problem-solving and critical thinking
You will often need to think quickly under pressure, especially during crises or behavioral escalations.
6. Teamwork
Mental health techs work closely with interdisciplinary teams. Collaboration is key to ensuring consistent, safe, and supportive patient care.
7. Physical stamina
The role may involve standing, walking, or assisting patients throughout the shift, including during emergencies.
Qualifications needed for mental health tech jobs
To secure a mental health tech job, you will need to meet the following educational and training requirements. Though the exact requirements vary, and you may be able to get some training from your employer, typical requirements include:
- A bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field (sometimes an associate degree or a high school diploma with experience)
- CPR/First Aid training
- Crisis intervention training (sometimes provided on the job)
- Background and health screenings
Career opportunities with a bachelor’s in psychology
Here are some career paths you can pursue with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, alongside the earning potential for entry-level positions as of November 2025.
| Job title | Entry-level salary | Mid-career salary |
| Case Worker | $47,429 | $50,500 |
| Behavioral Health Technician | $39,900 | $42,500 |
| Crisis Hotline Counselor | $69,365 | $79,000 |
| Research Assistant | $47,831 | $53,000 |
| Rehabilitation Specialist | $53,201 | $63,500 |
| Training & Development Assistant | $43,000 | $51,000 |
| Human Resource Specialist | $73,918 | $94,500 |
| Academic Advisor | $53,941 | $62,999 |
| Youth Program Coordinator | $25,700 | $36,400 |
| Social Services Assistant | $42,000 | $48,500 |
Entry-level jobs for psych majors – responsibilities and employers
Typical entry-level jobs for psychology majors involve a wide range of responsibilities depending on the exact role pursued and employer requirements. Here is what you can expect from the most popular entry-level jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
| Job title | Typical responsibilities | Common employers |
| Case Worker |
|
|
| Behavioral Health Technician |
|
|
| Crisis Hotline Counselor |
|
|
| Research Assistant |
|
|
| Rehabilitation Specialist |
|
|
| Training & Development Assistant |
|
|
| Human Resource Specialist |
|
|
| Academic Advisor |
|
|
| Youth Program Coordinator |
|
|
| Social Services Assistant |
|
|
Bachelor’s degree in psychology summary
Here is a summary of the bachelor’s psychology program.
Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Overview |
|
|---|---|
| Level | Bachelor’s degree – 4 years |
| Number of credits | 120 – 128 credits |
| Degree options | Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology / Bachelor of Science in Psychology |
| Focus | The program focuses primarily on the study of behavior and mental processes.
|
| Core courses |
|
| Concentration tracks |
|
| Who is it good for? | Intrinsic qualities that make you a good fit for the psychology program include empathy, problem-solving, patience, listening skills, and the ability to stay non-judgmental. A bachelor’s degree in psychology is ideal for students seeking entry-level psych-related jobs or preparing for graduate school |
| Career opportunities |
|
| Median annual wage | $60,000 – BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2023 |
| Annual cost |
Estimated using data from: Data USA |
| ROI for a 20-year career period |
|
Core courses in a bachelor’s degree in psychology
Core courses in a psychology degree typically cover courses in the field of psychology, research methods, and mathematics.
Related: Psychology undergraduate research opportunities: How to get into labs?
Here are some you may come across in your bachelor’s degree:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Psychological Research Methods
- General Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Statistics
- Comparative Psychology
Available specializations in a psychology degree
Many psychology programs allow students to focus their studies on particular areas of interest. These specializations help prepare students for more targeted career paths or advanced study.
Related: Psychology projects: Creating a portfolio that impresses
Common specializations
- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Educational Psychology
- Health Psychology
Top colleges for a psychology degree
Here is a list of the top psychology colleges in the US for those interested in pursuing a degree in the field.
Top 10 colleges for a Bachelor’s in Psychology |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | College/University | Private/ in-state resident tuition | Non-state resident tuition |
| 1 | Stanford University | $45,154 | $45,154 |
| 2 | Princeton University | $65,210 | $65,210 |
| 3 | Harvard University | $59,320 | $59,320 |
| 4 | University of California, Berkeley | $17,478 | $55,080 |
| 5 | Yale University | $69,900 | $69,900 |
| 6 | University of Pennsylvania | $63,204 | $63,204 |
| 7 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $18,346 | $63,962 |
| 8 | The University of Chicago | $71,325 | $71,325 |
| 9 | University of California, Los Angeles | $15,700 | $53,302 |
| 10 | Columbia University | $67,740 | $67,740 |
Top accredited online psychology programs
Considering pursuing an online degree in psychology? Here is a list of the top accredited online psychology programs in the US.
Top 10 colleges for an online Bachelor’s in Psychology |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | College/University | Private/ in-state resident tuition | Non-state resident tuition |
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University | $20,644 | $41,790 |
| 2 | Oregon State University | $15,246 | $40,392 |
| 3 | University of Florida | $3,876 | $16,580 |
| 4 | Loyola University Chicago | $54,530 | $54,530 |
| 5 | University of Central Florida | $5,954 | $22,482 |
| 6 | Georgia State University | $5,830 | $15,010 |
| 7 | Indiana University | $44,339 | $44,339 |
| 8 | University of Arizona | $15,750 | $15,750 |
| 9 | Arizona State University | $10,064 | $10,064 |
| 10 | CUNY School of Professional Studies | $6,930 | $10,500 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some positions that entry-level jobs may lead to in psychology?
Entry-level psychology roles can lead to careers such as licensed therapist, clinical psychologist, counseling psychologist, behavioral analyst, social worker, program director, research coordinator, human resources manager, or mental health administrator. Gaining experience early helps build clinical skills, leadership abilities, and professional specialization that support long-term advancement.
What jobs can you get with just a psychology undergraduate degree?
With a psychology bachelor’s degree, you can work as a mental health technician, case manager, crisis counselor, research assistant, HR specialist, rehabilitation aide, youth counselor, behavioral health technician, program coordinator, or intake specialist. These roles offer meaningful experience without requiring graduate education and help launch careers in diverse fields.
Can you go into tech with a psychology degree?
Yes. Psychology majors enter tech through user experience (UX) research, UX design, human-computer interaction, people operations, training and development, behavioral analytics, customer experience, and product research roles. Their understanding of human behavior, cognition, and communication aligns well with designing user-friendly systems, improving workplace culture, and analyzing user data.
What is the highest-paying job in the mental health field?
Psychiatrists generally earn the highest salaries in mental health due to their medical training and ability to prescribe medication. Other high-paying roles include clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, industrial-organizational psychologists, and psychiatric administrators. Salaries vary based on location, specialization, experience, and clinical setting, but psychiatrists typically top the field.