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Entry Level Psychologist Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

City of Mason City

Police Officer

Mason City, IA

$71K - $95K/yr

Generous Relocation Package: $5,000 for entry level officers and $9,000 for certified officers to ... Once offered the position, you'll undergo a physical/drug test, polygraph, and psychological ...

City of Mason City, IA

Police Officer

Mason City, IA · On-site

$71K - $95K/yr

Generous Relocation Package : $5,000 for entry level officers and $9,000 for certified officers to ... Once offered the position, you'll undergo a physical/drug test, polygraph, and psychological ...

All JobsPsychologist JobsEntry Level Psychologist JobsEntry Level Psychologist Jobs in Iowa

Entry Level Psychologist information

See Iowa salary details

$41.8K

$144.7K

$292.1K

How much do entry level psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level psychologist in Iowa is $144,700.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,200.00 and $209,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level psychologist do?

An entry-level psychologist is a fully licensed therapist or mental health expert that may still be getting mentorship and professional guidance from more experienced psychologists or counseling experts. In this career, you still have the same duties and responsibilities as any other psychologist. You make a diagnosis for a patient based on counseling sessions and then work with your patient to develop a treatment plant that fits their needs and goals. Only in certain limited cases, however, are psychologists allowed to prescribe medication to patients, and the requirements for that depend on the state in which you practice and whether or not you have taken coursework in pharmacology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level psychologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Psychologist, you need a foundational knowledge of psychological theories, research methods, and assessment techniques, usually supported by at least a master's degree in psychology or a related field. Familiarity with statistical software, psychological testing tools, and patient record systems is common in this role. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and active listening abilities help in building trust and rapport with clients. These skills and qualifications are crucial for providing effective support, conducting accurate assessments, and fostering client well-being.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level psychologists when transitioning from academic training to clinical practice?

Entry level psychologists often find the transition from academic settings to clinical practice challenging due to differences in pace, client diversity, and the need for practical application of theoretical knowledge. Adapting to real-world cases, managing caseloads, and dealing with administrative duties like documentation can be initially overwhelming. However, most organizations provide supervision and mentorship to help new psychologists develop confidence and refine their therapeutic skills. Open communication with supervisors and proactive participation in team meetings are vital for ongoing professional growth and support.

What is the difference between Entry Level Psychologist vs Mental Health Technician?

AspectEntry Level PsychologistMental Health Technician
Required CredentialsMaster's or Doctoral degree in Psychology, licensure often requiredHigh school diploma or associate degree; certification may be preferred
Work EnvironmentClinics, hospitals, private practices, research settingsHospitals, mental health facilities, residential programs
Employer & Industry UsageHealthcare, mental health services, research institutionsBehavioral health facilities, hospitals, community programs
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in psychologyExploring support roles in mental health settings

Entry Level Psychologists typically hold advanced degrees and licensure, working directly with clients in clinical or research settings. Mental Health Technicians usually have less formal education, providing support and assisting licensed professionals in mental health environments. Both roles are essential in mental health services but differ in qualifications and responsibilities.

More about Entry Level Psychologist jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Psychologist jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Psychologist jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Psychologist jobs in Iowa?

For Entry Level Psychologist jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Psychologist jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Psychologist jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Entry Level Psychologist jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Entry Level Psychologist job openings:

Entry Level Psychologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Psychologist job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,700 per year, or $69.6 per hour.

Staff Psychologist

Veterans Health Administration

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$74K - $150K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Veterans Health Administration rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 1,005 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

68th of 889 rated healthcare providers

Job description


QualificationsBasic 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
  • Exception: Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 [(c)(2)(B)] for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is licensed
  • Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
  • 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
  • To qualify for this position, you must meet the Basic Requirements as well as any additional grade-level qualification requirements
  • Grandfathering Provision: A Psychologist employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (2/7/2018) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard may not be promoted beyond the full performance level (GS-0180-13) or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions until meeting the full qualification requirements
  • 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.

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About Veterans Health Administration

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, serving millions of Veterans each year. Located in Phoenix, AZ, and many other parts of the US, the VHA operates under the Department of Veteran Affairs, as suggested by their official website va.gov. The VHA is dedicated to providing the highest level of comprehensive care to its veterans. The organization offers a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care, including mental health services, research, and pharmacy benefits.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Phoenix, AZ, US

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