ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Developmental Psychologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEntry Level Developmental Psychologist Jobs

Entry Level Developmental Psychologist information

See salary details

$44.5K

$154.1K

$311K

How much do entry level developmental psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level developmental psychologist in the United States is $154,056.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,500.00 and $223,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Developmental Psychologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Developmental Psychologist, you need a foundational knowledge of human development, psychological theory, and research methodology, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology or a related field. Familiarity with statistical analysis software, behavioral assessment tools, and data collection systems is commonly required. Strong interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and empathy help in effectively working with children, families, and multidisciplinary teams. These skills enable accurate assessment, effective intervention, and meaningful contributions to research and client outcomes.

What types of projects or research might I support as an entry level developmental psychologist?

As an entry level developmental psychologist, you may assist with a variety of projects such as administering standardized assessments, collecting and analyzing data on child or adolescent behavior, and helping with the development of intervention programs. Your role can also involve supporting senior researchers in literature reviews and preparing reports for publication. Collaboration with educators, clinicians, or community organizations is common, providing a valuable opportunity to learn from interdisciplinary teams and gain hands-on experience in both research and applied settings.

Is 25 too late to become a psychologist?

Entry level developmental psychologists typically need a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's or doctoral program, which can take several years. Starting at 25 is common and feasible, as many individuals pursue psychology careers after gaining experience or changing fields; age does not generally prevent entry into the profession.

What is the difference between Entry Level Developmental Psychologist vs School Psychologist?

AspectEntry Level Developmental PsychologistSchool Psychologist
Required CredentialsMaster's or Doctoral degree in psychology, licensure or certification often requiredMaster's or Doctoral degree in school psychology, state certification/license required
Work EnvironmentResearch settings, clinics, hospitals, or community agenciesPublic or private schools, educational settings
Employer & Industry UsageHealthcare, research institutions, mental health agenciesEducational institutions, school districts

While both roles involve working with children and require psychology credentials, Entry Level Developmental Psychologists focus on research and clinical assessments across various settings, whereas School Psychologists primarily work within educational environments to support students' academic and emotional needs.

What jobs can I get with a developmental psychology degree?

An entry-level developmental psychologist can work in settings such as schools, clinics, or research institutions, often as a research assistant, behavioral technician, or program coordinator. These roles typically require strong observational, communication, and data analysis skills, and may involve working with children, families, or educational programs.

How to get into developmental psychology?

To become an entry level developmental psychologist, obtain a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field, followed by a master's or doctoral degree in developmental psychology or a similar specialty. Gaining research experience, developing strong analytical skills, and understanding child development theories are essential, along with familiarity with research tools like SPSS or R.

What is the demand for developmental psychologists?

The demand for developmental psychologists is expected to grow steadily due to increased awareness of childhood development and mental health. Entry-level developmental psychologists can find opportunities in schools, clinics, and research settings, often requiring strong observational and assessment skills. Employment growth aligns with broader trends in healthcare and education sectors emphasizing early intervention and developmental support.

What does an entry level developmental psychologist do?

An entry level developmental psychologist typically assists in researching how people grow and change throughout their lives, focusing on cognitive, emotional, and social development. They may work under supervision to conduct assessments, collect and analyze data, and help design research studies. In some settings, they might also participate in supporting intervention programs for children, adolescents, or older adults. Their work often helps inform educational practices, healthcare policies, or family support services.
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Developmental Psychologist jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Developmental Psychologist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Developmental Psychologist jobs? The most popular types of Developmental Psychologist jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Developmental Psychologist jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Developmental Psychologist jobs include:
Entry Level Developmental Psychologist jobs near you

Staff Psychologist

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Minneapolis, MN

$81K/yr

Other

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

The Intermittent Psychologist is located in the Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS) and VISN 23's Comprehensive Pain Center (CPC) which is located within the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Integrate Care Community. The CPC is an Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program offering varying levels of pain treatment, including our 4-week intensive program.Qualifications:Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Education:
  • Doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
OR
  • Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions:
  • the re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program;
  • and
  • the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. NOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program, which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship.
OR
  • Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
AND
  • Internship:
  • Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
OR
  • New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern;
OR
  • VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement;
OR
  • Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. (NOTE: Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification.)
OR
  • Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program.
  • Licensure: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
  • English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

Grade Determinations:
GS-11 Staff Psychologist (Entry Level):
Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-12 Staff Psychologist (Developmental Level):
Experience. At least 1 year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at the GS-11 grade level.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations.
2. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies.
3. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures.
4. Ability to conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties).
5. Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration (staff psychologists with specified research job duties).
GS-13 Staff Psychologist (Full Performance Level):
Experience. At least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
2. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
3. Knowledge of clinical research literature.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

Apply