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Sport Psychologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Helping patients/athletes prepare for return to sport with focus on overcoming fear or reinjury, performance stressors Required Qualifications * Doctor in Psychology * COVID-19 vaccination and ...

Sports Psychologist

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$56.50 - $109.46/hr

Helping patients/athletes prepare for return to sport with focus on overcoming fear or reinjury, performance stressors Required Qualifications * Doctor in Psychology * COVID-19 vaccination and ...

Terminal degree in the field of Performance Psychology, Sport Psychology or related Psychology field. * Extensive experience in higher education, plus a Master's degree in Performance Psychology ...

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Must have a Master's degree (Doctorate Preferred)) in Sport/Performance Psychology from an accredited educational institution. Alternative degrees considered include a master's degree in psychology ...

Provides information about cognitive performance, exercise and sports psychology factors in sports, exercise, and physical activity. * Trains and educates on goal setting, performance profiling ...

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Sport Psychologist information

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$11K

$92.8K

$398.5K

How much do sport psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for sport psychologist in the United States is $92,813.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,500.00 and $117,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges sport psychologists face when working with athletes and teams?

Sport Psychologists often encounter challenges such as building trust with athletes, overcoming resistance to psychological interventions, and managing confidentiality within a team environment. They must balance individual athlete needs with team dynamics, while also addressing performance anxiety, motivation, and recovery from setbacks or injuries. Collaborating closely with coaches, medical staff, and family members requires strong communication skills and adaptability to different team cultures and expectations.

What can you do as a sport psychologist?

A sport psychologist helps athletes improve mental skills such as focus, confidence, and stress management to enhance performance. They may provide counseling, develop mental training programs, and work with teams or individuals to address psychological barriers and promote overall well-being. Certification and knowledge of sports science are often required for this role.

Is there a high demand for sport psychologists?

The demand for sport psychologists is growing as athletes and teams increasingly recognize the importance of mental health and performance. Employment opportunities are available in professional sports, colleges, and private practice, often requiring relevant certifications and experience. Job growth is expected to be steady, reflecting the expanding focus on mental skills in sports.

What does a sport psychologist do?

As a sport psychologist, you may work with athletes from any sport, functioning as a consultant, therapist, or trainer. Your duties include fostering well being in the emotional, mental, and physical life of athletes, facilitating workshops or counseling that focus on visualization, goal setting, and relaxation, and developing mind strategies to assist an athlete with coping with injuries and setbacks. Other duties include treating and advising athletes who have mental health conditions, helping athletes to study different coping strategies, and using modern research to allow athletes to enhance their physical performance in overall healthy ways.

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

To thrive as a Sport Psychologist, you need a solid background in psychology, counseling, and sport science, typically supported by a master's or doctoral degree and licensure or certification as applicable. Familiarity with psychological assessment tools, biofeedback systems, and specialized software for data analysis is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to motivate and communicate effectively are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for helping athletes enhance performance, manage stress, and maintain mental well-being in competitive environments.

What is the difference between Sport Psychologist vs Athletic Trainer?

AspectSport PsychologistAthletic Trainer
CredentialsDoctoral degree in psychology, licensure, certification (e.g., Certified Mental Performance Consultant)Bachelor's or master's degree in athletic training, certification (e.g., ATC)
Work EnvironmentSports teams, clinics, private practice, mental health settingsSports facilities, hospitals, schools, clinics
Industry UsageFocus on mental skills, motivation, and psychological well-being of athletesInjury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletes

While both roles serve athletes, a Sport Psychologist specializes in mental skills and psychological health, often requiring advanced psychology credentials. An Athletic Trainer focuses on injury management and physical rehabilitation. They work collaboratively but have distinct training and responsibilities within the sports industry.

What is a sport psychologist?

A Sport Psychologist is a professional who helps athletes and teams enhance their performance and well-being through mental strategies. They work with individuals to manage anxiety, improve focus, set goals, and recover from setbacks or injuries. Sport Psychologists also collaborate with coaches and support staff to create positive environments and address team dynamics. Their expertise combines knowledge of psychology with sports science to help athletes achieve their full potential.

Do sport psychologists make good money?

Sport psychologists typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $60,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, location, and work setting. Those with advanced degrees, certifications, and a strong client base can earn higher incomes, especially if they work independently or in private practice. Salary can also vary based on whether they work with professional athletes, teams, or in academic or clinical environments.
What cities are hiring for Sport Psychologist jobs? Cities with the most Sport Psychologist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Sport Psychologist jobs? The most popular types of Sport Psychologist jobs are:
What states have the most Sport Psychologist jobs? States with the most job openings for Sport Psychologist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Sport Psychologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 51% Full Time, 41% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,813 per year, or $44.6 per hour.

Clinical & Sports Psychologist

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


University Of Maryland, Baltimore rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

256th of 615 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Job Description
Faculty Opportunity
Department of Psychiatry
Sports Psychologist
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, is seeking a full-time innovative and collaborative Clinical and Sport Psychologist to join our multidisciplinary team. This newly created position provides a unique opportunity to develop and shape a fully integrated sport psychology and mental health program within a comprehensive sports medicine model. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with leaders across Sports Medicine, Psychiatry, and Orthopedics to establish strategic partnerships, develop innovative programming, and expand access to evidence-based mental health and performance services for athletes throughout the region.
Based primarily in Baltimore, Maryland, this position offers a hybrid work model with opportunities for both in-person and virtual clinical services.
This role is ideal for a psychologist who is passionate about mental performance enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, program development, community outreach, and clinical care. The position will support athletes across the lifespan, including youth, high school, collegiate, recreational, and elite performers, while helping build a regional center of excellence in sport psychology and athlete mental health.
Qualifications
The positions carry faculty appointments at the University and offer exciting opportunities for clinical care, teaching and research. Academic rank and salary are commensurate with experience. Expected rank is Assistant Professor or higher, however, rank and tenure status is dependent on candidate's qualifications.
All applicants are required to apply online at the UMB Taleo website at:
Job Number260000QW
Please attach your letter of introduction and CV.
Salary range for Assistant Professor PhD/PsyD, Part-time 50% FTE: $60,000-80,000
Salary range for Assistant Professor PhD/PsyD, Full-time 100% FTE: $120,000-$160,000
The referenced salary range reflects base pay for Assistant Professor which is based on faculty rank and years in rank. This salary range does not include all components of the Department faculty compensation program or pay from participation in department variable compensation programs. Therefore, the actual compensation paid to the selected candidate may vary from the salary range stated herein. For more information, please contact the hiring department.
The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on the University of Maryland School of Medicine's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, internal equity, market conditions, education/training and other factors, as reasonably determined by the University.
UMB offers a comprehensive that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development. This position offers a retirement program that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Faculty receive a generous leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, paid holidays, personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school. Note: Leave and tuition benefits are prorated for part-time employees.
or contact Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

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