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Social Psychology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Counsel Psych, Social Psych & Couns - Temp Start Date: 08/17/2026 About this opportunity: The Department of Counseling Psychology, Social Psychology and Counseling welcomes applications for part-time ...

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How much do social psychology jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for social psychology in the United States is $19.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is social psychology?

Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. It explores topics such as group dynamics, social perception, conformity, prejudice, and interpersonal relationships. Social psychologists seek to understand how social influences shape individual behavior and how individuals, in turn, affect group dynamics. This field is essential for understanding human interactions in various contexts, including workplaces, schools, and communities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a social psychologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Social Psychologist, you need a strong background in psychological theory, research methodology, and data analysis, typically supported by an advanced degree (MA or PhD) in psychology. Familiarity with statistical software (such as SPSS or R) and experience in designing and conducting experiments are essential technical requirements. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills help social psychologists effectively share findings and work within interdisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for producing meaningful research, informing interventions, and advancing the understanding of social behavior.

What are some common challenges faced by social psychologists working in research teams, and how can they effectively collaborate with colleagues from other disciplines?

Social psychologists often work in interdisciplinary research teams, which can present challenges such as differing methodologies, terminology, and research priorities. Effective collaboration requires clear communication, openness to diverse perspectives, and a willingness to learn from colleagues in fields such as sociology, neuroscience, or public health. Establishing shared goals at the outset and regularly discussing progress as a group can help ensure everyone is aligned. Additionally, participating in cross-disciplinary workshops and team meetings can strengthen mutual understanding and foster a productive research environment.

What is the difference between Social Psychology vs Counseling Psychology?

AspectSocial PsychologyCounseling Psychology
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Psychology, research experienceMaster's or PhD in Counseling or Clinical Psychology, licensure
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, corporate settingsClinics, schools, private practice
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic institutions, research organizations, governmentHealthcare facilities, schools, private practices
Common Search & ComparisonUnderstanding social influences, group behaviorHelping individuals cope, mental health support

Social Psychology focuses on understanding how individuals are influenced by social environments and group dynamics through research and experiments. Counseling Psychology emphasizes providing therapeutic support to individuals dealing with personal, emotional, or mental health issues. While both fields require psychology degrees, their work settings and goals differ significantly.

Is a social psychology degree worth it?

A social psychology degree prepares individuals for careers in research, counseling, marketing, and human resources by developing skills in understanding group behavior and social influence. It can lead to roles in academia, consulting, or organizational settings, often requiring strong communication and analytical skills. The degree's value depends on career goals and the ability to supplement education with internships or certifications.

What do you do as a social psychologist?

A social psychologist studies how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by social interactions and societal factors. They conduct research, analyze human behavior, and develop theories to understand social dynamics, often working in academic, research, or applied settings. Skills in research methods, data analysis, and communication are essential for this role.

Who hires social psychologists?

Social psychologists are hired by a variety of organizations including universities, research institutions, government agencies, and private companies. They often work in roles related to research, consulting, or applied settings, utilizing skills in data analysis, experimental design, and understanding human behavior.
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Cities with the most Social Psychology job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Social Psychology jobs?

The most popular types of Social Psychology jobs are:

What states have the most Social Psychology jobs?

States with the most job openings for Social Psychology jobs include:

Infographic showing various Social Psychology job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,367 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Assistant Professor, Social Psychology

University of St Thomas

Saint Paul, MN • On-site

$68K - $74K/yr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 28 days ago


University Of St. Thomas (Minnesota) rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

162nd of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

OVERVIEW

The Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Social Psychology beginning Fall 2027. We seek a collaborative teacher-scholar who is passionate about a liberal arts undergraduate education, committed to inclusive and engaging pedagogy, and eager to mentor students in research and applied inquiry. We especially welcome candidates who are enthusiastic about mentoring undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds in research, professional development, and have interest in offering Common Good Community-Engaged courses. Applicants should include a thoughtful plan on how they would incorporate students in their research programs.

Teaching responsibilities include:

  • Teaching 5-6 courses, depending on lab courses, per academic year, delivered with flexible delivery including in-person, online, and mixed
  • Teaching expectations include Social Psychology and an upper-level lab class for Social Psychology
  • Other courses in our curriculum or new courses aligned with the candidate's expertise and departmental needs. Please see our Psychology Classes and Descriptions website for more information on our current curriculum.

In addition to teaching, faculty responsibilities include:

  • Student advising and research mentoring,
  • Maintaining an active scholarship agenda,
  • Working with department colleagues to continually strengthen and advance the program.

About the Department of Psychology

The Psychology department values a learning community enriched by varied perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, and seeks colleagues who are committed to fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments. We are a collegial department that values collaboration, innovative teaching, and close faculty-student relationships. The department actively supports faculty scholarship through student collaboration, internal grants, conference funding, and pre- and post-tenure faculty development opportunities.

About the University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas is a dynamic, mission-driven, urban university. Located in a residential neighborhood with easy access to two downtown metropolitan centers, we are Minnesota's largest private university with eight schools and colleges, 150+ undergraduate majors/minors, and 55 graduate programs. To learn more about life as a faculty member at St. Thomas, please see our Join the Faculty at St. Thomas website.

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment.  The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristics.  This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.  A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission. Learn more about the University of St. Thomas mission and convictions at the Office for Mission website.

Salary and Benefits

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

  • Tuition remission benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents upon eligibility
  • A generous employer retirement contribution upon eligibility
  • Medical, dental, and vision options
  • Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits
  • Paid parental leave benefits

The salary range for this position is $68,000-$74,000.

The University of St. Thomas has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

QUALIFICATIONS

A doctoral degree (U.S. or foreign equivalent) in Social Psychology or related field, or alternatively, ABD nearing completion will be considered, with appointment at the rank of instructor. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching and show strong potential for productive research/scholarly activities.

How to Apply

To be considered for this opportunity, all applicants must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. 

The application process consists of several required steps, completed in the order outlined below.

Step 1.

You will first be asked to create an applicant profile. As part of creating your profile, you must upload the following materials: 

  • A curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Two pieces of evidence demonstrating teaching effectiveness in social psychology-related courses, which may include student reports on instruction, peer evaluations, and/or other types of teaching assessment. For those with less experience, provide a statement of thoughtful approach for successful teaching in social psychology,
  • A written statement of teaching philosophy and research interests that includes a discussion of
    • ability to teach courses in the area of Social Psychology,
    • interest in teaching other courses that enhance our current offerings,
    • the potential for inclusive classroom practices to support students from varied backgrounds and with varied interests,
    • establishing a vibrant, high-quality and inclusive research program at a well-equipped undergraduate institution that has the potential to be competitive for external funding, and
    • involvement and mentoring undergraduate collaborators in their research

Please upload only the documents specifically requested in the job posting at this stage. Do not upload any additional materials into other available fields. Candidates selected for further review may be contacted later to submit additional materials.

Step 2.

After submitting your applicant profile, you will be directed to the jobspecific application. During this step, you will be asked to:

  • Copy and paste a jobspecific letter of application (cover letter) that
    • describes the applicant's interest in the position,
    • relates the applicant's professional qualifications to the expectations of the position, and
    • describes commitment to the mission and convictions of the University
  • Complete the voluntary EEO, Veteran, and Disability selfidentification forms 

Step 3.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references who can speak directly to your teaching experience and qualifications.

  • References will not be contacted without candidate permission
  • Candidates who advance in the search will be asked to submit three letters of recommendation

Questions regarding the position should be sent to the search committee chair, Dr. Annie Pezalla at peza1179@stthomas.edu. Application review begins Friday, September 18, 2026. To be guaranteed full consideration, completed applications should be submitted by that date. The position will remain open until filled.

In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent to and successful completion of a background screening.

 The University of St. Thomas, Minnesota Human Resources Department advertises the official job listing on its website at www.stthomas.edu/jobs.

The University of St. Thomas is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Employment Type: CONTRACTOR

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