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Sport Psychologist Jobs in Springfield, MA (NOW HIRING)

Sport Psychologist information

See Springfield, MA salary details

$11K

$92.5K

$397.1K

How much do sport psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for sport psychologist in Springfield, MA is $92,488.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,300.00 and $116,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 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.

Is it hard to find a job in sport psychology?

Finding a job as a sport psychologist can be competitive due to the specialized nature of the field and the need for relevant education, such as a master's or doctoral degree, along with certification. Opportunities are often available in sports teams, academic settings, or private practice, but building experience and networking are important for employment success.

Is there a high demand for sport psychologists?

The demand for sport psychologists is growing as athletes and teams seek mental skills training to improve performance and well-being. Employment opportunities are available in sports organizations, clinics, and academic settings, with a need for specialized training and certification. Job growth varies by region and level of expertise, but overall, the field is expanding alongside increased awareness of mental health in sports.

What are popular job titles related to Sport Psychologist jobs in Springfield, MA?

For Sport Psychologist jobs in Springfield, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Sport Psychologist jobs in Springfield, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Sport Psychologist jobs in Springfield, MA are:

What cities near Springfield, MA are hiring for Sport Psychologist jobs?

Cities near Springfield, MA with the most Sport Psychologist job openings:

Infographic showing various Sport Psychologist job openings in Springfield, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $90,333 per year, or $43.4 per hour.

Adjunct Instructor for Sport and Exercise Psychology

Springfield, MA โ€ข On-site

$2.8K/wk

Part-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Springfield, MA
Job Type: Adjunct
Job Number: 00421
Department: Exercise Science
Opening Date: 07/22/2026
Description
Springfield College invites applications for a part-time adjunct faculty position in the Exercise Science Department. This position would support the on-line master's program in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Compensation for adjunct faculty with fewer than 3 years college teaching experience is $2820 for a 3-credit course
Compensation for adjunct faculty with 3 or more years college teaching experience is $3513 for a 3-credit course
Responsibilities
Course:
AEXS 689: Internship in Sport Psychology (graduate-online)
Date/Time: asynchronous with weekly synchronous group supervision meetings held via zoom, online modality
Course Description: In this course, students have the opportunity to apply the principles and theories of sport and exercise psychology in different settings and utilize a variety of performance enhancement techniques with coaches, athletes, and exercisers in a supervised setting. A minimum of 45 hours of supervised experience is required (by students) per credit hour.
Course:
AEXS 678: Sport Psychology (graduate-online)

Date/Time: asynchronous, online modality
Course Description: This course is designed to provide the student with the theory basis of human behavior in sport settings with an emphasis on the cognitive aspects of behavior. Areas to be discussed are sport personology (including personality, motivation, achievement, and attributions) anxiety/arousal, attentional focus, and social/cultural manifestations of sport (including humanism, youth sport, aggression, cooperation/ cohesion, and leadership).
Qualifications
MS, MEd, or MA required, PhD or clinical doctorate preferred in areas related to Sport & Exercise Psychology or related field
Registered mentor on the list of AASP Registry of Approved Mentors Required
Must reside in one of the following states: MA, CT, WI, DE, TX, VT, or FL
Please submit a CV/Resume, cover letter which indicates your interest and relevant expertise/experience for the course below, and a list of 3 references.
This position is not eligible for benefits.