Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychologists help mentally and emotionally disturbed clients adjust to life and help people deal with crises and illnesses or injuries. In order to practice, a psychologist must have a PhD or PsyD. These are both doctoral degrees that can take from five to seven years to complete. Psychologists earned a median annual salary of $66,040 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Clinical Psychologist
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
Mental health and substance abuse social workers provide individual and group therapy, outreach, crisis intervention, social rehabilitation and training in skills of everyday living to people who have mental illnesses or substance abuse problems. The minimum requirement to work in this field is a bachelor's degree in social work but many positions require one to have a master's degree. Social workers earned a median annual salary of $38,200 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in treating psychiatric disorders. To become a psychiatrist one must first complete four years of medical school and then a four year residency in psychiatry (Association of American Medical Colleges). To practice, a psychiatrist must have a medical license and certification from The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry. Psychiatrists earned a median annual salary of $160,230 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Psychiatrist
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychiatric nurses are registered nurses who specialize in psychiatric-mental health work. They care for patients who have psychiatric disorders. Nursing education programs, including those that culminate in a bachelor's of science degree, an associate degree or a diploma, include psychiatric-mental health education. One can also earn a master's degree in order to become an advanced practice psychiatric nurse (Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow). Registered nurses, including psychiatric nurses, earned a median annual salary of $63,750 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Psychiatric Nurse
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ and
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/ (visited March 8, 2011).
Explore more Careers By Field or Industry
| Comparing Mental Health Careers | |||
| Minimum Education | License | Median Salary | |
| Clinical Psychologist | PhD or PsyD | Req. in all states | $66,040 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | Bachelor's or Master's | License, certification or registration req. in all states | $38,200 |
| Psychiatrist | Medical Degree | Req. in all states | $160,230 |
| Psychiatric Nurse | Bachelor's, associate, diploma or master's | Req. in all states | $63,750 |
