ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Sports Psychologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Shrinerschildrens

Sports Psychologist

Pasadena, CA

$56.50 - $109.46/hr

The Sports Psychologist assesses, monitors and provides treatment for the psychosocial needs of patients and families that are referred by physicians or other patient care staff. S/He may be asked to ...

Shriners Children's

Sports Psychologist

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$56.50 - $109.46/hr

The Sports Psychologist assesses, monitors and provides treatment for the psychosocial needs of patients and families that are referred by physicians or other patient care staff. S/He may be asked to ...

Laredo Technical Services, Inc.

Be Seen First

SPORTS PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGIST HPO

Portland, OR · On-site

$80K - $82K/yr

SPORTS PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSIONAL Portland Air National Guard ABOUT US: Laredo Technical Services, Inc. provides staffing services to federal Government agencies all over the world. LTSI ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSports Psychologist Jobs

Sports Psychologist information

See salary details

$11K

$92.8K

$398.5K

How much do sports psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for sports 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 is a sports psychologist?

A sports psychologist is a trained professional who helps athletes and teams improve their mental well-being and enhance their performance through psychological techniques. They work with individuals and groups to address issues such as motivation, anxiety, focus, and team dynamics. Sports psychologists may also assist with injury recovery, coping strategies, and building confidence, using methods like goal-setting, visualization, and relaxation techniques. Their expertise helps athletes reach their full potential both on and off the field.

How do sports psychologists typically collaborate with coaches and athletes to enhance team performance?

Sports psychologists often work closely with both coaches and athletes to develop mental strategies that improve focus, resilience, and team cohesion. Collaboration may include conducting group workshops on goal-setting or stress management, as well as individual sessions to address specific performance issues. Regular communication with coaches helps ensure that psychological techniques are integrated into training programs and that everyone is aligned on performance objectives. This collaborative approach fosters a supportive environment where both athletes and coaching staff can proactively address mental barriers and optimize overall team performance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a sports psychologist?

To thrive as a Sports Psychologist, you need a deep understanding of psychological principles, human behavior, and performance enhancement techniques, typically supported by a master's or doctoral degree in psychology and relevant licensure or certification. Familiarity with assessment tools, biofeedback systems, and data analysis software is commonly required. Exceptional communication, motivational, and problem-solving skills help build trust and rapport with athletes and teams. These competencies are vital for supporting mental well-being, optimizing performance, and fostering resilience in high-pressure sports environments.

What jobs can you do with a sports psychologist degree?

A sports psychologist degree prepares individuals for roles such as sports psychologist, mental performance consultant, or athletic counselor, working with athletes to improve focus, motivation, and mental resilience. Graduates can also work in sports teams, fitness organizations, or pursue certifications to enhance their credentials. Skills in counseling, performance analysis, and understanding of sports science are essential in these careers.

Is there a demand for sports psychologists?

Sports psychologists are in increasing demand as athletes and teams seek mental skills training to improve performance and manage stress. The profession is expected to grow as awareness of mental health in sports continues to rise, and many practitioners work with professional, collegiate, and amateur athletes. Certification and specialized training can enhance job prospects in this field.

What is the difference between Sports Psychologist vs Athletic Trainer?

AspectSports PsychologistAthletic Trainer
CredentialsDoctorate in Psychology (PhD or PsyD), licensure, specialized sports psychology certificationBachelor's or Master's in Athletic Training, certification (ATC)
Work EnvironmentClinics, sports teams, private practice, sports organizationsHospitals, sports facilities, schools, sports teams
Industry UsageFocuses on mental health, motivation, performance anxietyFocuses on injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation
Common Search/ComparisonSports Psychologist vs Athletic Trainer

While both roles support athletes, a Sports Psychologist specializes in mental health and performance enhancement through psychological techniques, whereas an Athletic Trainer primarily manages physical injuries and rehabilitation. Understanding these differences helps athletes and organizations choose the right professional for their needs.

More about Sports Psychologist jobs
What cities are hiring for Sports Psychologist jobs? Cities with the most Sports Psychologist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Sports Psychologist jobs? The most popular types of Sports Psychologist jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Sports Psychologist jobs? The top employers for Sports Psychologist jobs are:
What states have the most Sports Psychologist jobs? States with the most job openings for Sports Psychologist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Sports Psychologist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Sports Psychologist jobs are:
Sports Psychologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sports Psychologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 63% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,813 per year, or $44.6 per hour.

Sports Psychologist

Shrinerschildrens

Pasadena, CA

$56.50 - $109.46/hr

Per diem

Re-posted 4 hours ago

Job description

Company Overview

Shriners Children's is an organization that respects, supports, and values each other. Named as the 2025 best mid-sized employer by Forbes, we are engaged in providing excellence in patient care, embracing multi-disciplinary education, and research with global impact. We foster a learning environment that values evidenced based practice, experience, innovation, and critical thinking. Our compassion, integrity, accountability, and resilience define us as leaders in pediatric specialty care for our children and their families.

With 20+ hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centers and outreach locations across the globe, we provide excellent care to children up to age 18 regardless of their family's ability to pay or insurance status. Please click here to learn more about our locations.

Job Description

The Sports Psychologist assesses, monitors and provides treatment for the psychosocial needs of patients and families that are referred by physicians or other patient care staff. S/He may be asked to assist staff in coping with difficult patient scenarios. Although the job description is broad, every effort has been made to make this outline as complete as possible. However, the Pediatric Psychologist may be required to perform other related duties and activities. These standards ensure that the Pediatric Psychologist is able to assist health care workers in care of patients treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children. Competence is assured through initial assessment of credentials and qualifications, and is ensured through completion of an initial orientation and on-going periodic evaluations based on performance standards.

Key Responsibilities

  • Act as a liaison or mediator between departments. Or actively participates as a member of the team.

  • Comfortable working within a medical setting.

  • Attentive to the impact of medical conditions and treatment on the psychological, social and developmental functioning of patients.

  • Comfortable working within a multidisciplinary setting, communicating with providers of multiple disciplines.

  • Able to provide feedback and recommendations to providers in other disciplines in a clear and accessible manner.

  • Able to work collaboratively with other disciplines, taking into account the treatment needs of other providers.

  • Comfortable working with a culturally diverse population.

  • Attentive to the impact of culture on interactions within a medical setting

  • Performs age appropriate assessments and monitors psychology needs of referred patients and families in a timely manner as specified by policy standards.

  • Provides individual, group, parental and/or family counseling to select persons on a consistent basis. All counseling considers the age and developmental level of the child.

  • Demonstrates leadership in developing and maintaining counseling support groups for selected patient populations on an on-going basis.

  • Provides consultation regarding the development of interventions for behavioral and pain management.

  • Provides appropriate clinical referrals for patients upon discharge as needed.

  • Assist patient/athlete coping with injury/acute traumatic event and helping them to manage fear of surgery.

  • Support patients/athletes through a postoperative recovery or nonoperative recovery as they are detached from their sports/social network connected to their sport.

  • 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 booster

  • Pediatric Clinical or Rehabilitation Psychology experience

  • License to practice in CA

Preferred Qualifications

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Clinical or Rehabilitation Psychology

  • 2 years of Clinical Psychology experience

The pay range for this position is $56.50 - $109.46. Compensation is determined based on years of relevant experience and departmental equity.

Apply