Working in a field you are passionate about can make your job feel like a vacation. But not everyone believes that they can follow multiple passions at the same time - until they do a little digging and find there are industries and job positions available at the intersection of their passions.

What does a Sports Psychologist Do?Job RequirementsSalary (How Much Do Sports Psychologists Make?)Schools for Sports Psychology DegreesCompanies That Hire Sports PsychologistsInterviews with a Sports PsychologistFamous Sports PsychologistsSports Psychology Examples

What does a Sports Psychologist Do?

Job Requirements

Salary (How Much Do Sports Psychologists Make?)

Schools for Sports Psychology Degrees

Companies That Hire Sports Psychologists

Interviews with a Sports Psychologist

Famous Sports Psychologists

Sports Psychology Examples

A sports psychologist studies assesses, and shares how human behavior and decision-making impact the world of sports and vice versa. They look at sports through a psychologist’s lens. Their goals range from improving player performance to elevating the world of sports through safety initiatives and different expectations for players.

While some sports psychologists spend their careers researching different theories about playing, coaching, or watching sports, others are “on the field,” working with players, coaches, and larger sports organizations. Some sports psychologists give speeches about being better athletes, while others advocate for policies that protect players and make sports more fun to watch globally.

The Intersection of Sports Psychology and Data: A Look at “Moneyball”

A popular example of the convergence of psychological insights and sports is the movie “Moneyball.” Based on the true story of the Oakland Athletics baseball team’s 2002 season, “Moneyball” showcases how the team’s general manager, Billy Beane, used statistical analysis to assemble a competitive team despite a limited budget.

While the primary focus of “Moneyball” is on sabermetrics (the empirical analysis of baseball statistics), the underlying theme is deeply rooted in understanding human behavior, decision-making, and potential - key elements in sports psychology. Beane’s revolutionary approach wasn’t just about crunching numbers; it was about understanding player value, potential, and performance from a unique perspective, breaking away from traditional scouting methods.

For those interested in sports psychology, “Moneyball” serves as a reminder that the field is not just about understanding the minds of athletes but also about leveraging insights to make strategic decisions in the broader realm of sports.

You might not have the same salary as Tiger Woods or Bill Belichick, but as a sports psychologist, you can still make a pretty decent salary. Salaries range based on who you work for (a research facility will have fewer funds available to them than a professional sports team,) where you live, and how long you have been working in the field. Use these salary ranges as an estimate as you plan which college to attend and where you want to look for work as a sports psychologist:

Sports Psychology Reported SalaryLowAverageHighPayscale.com$49,000$72,527$106,000ZipRecruiter$20,500$73,501$152,500Glassdoor$36,000$73,462$151,000

Sports Psychology Reported Salary

Low

Average

High

Payscale.com

$49,000

$72,527

$106,000

ZipRecruiter

$20,500

$73,501

$152,500

Glassdoor

$36,000

$73,462

$151,000

Sports psychology programs aren’t as common as more general psychology courses, but there are still a handful of schools that you can attend to become a sports psychologist. Start your school search with these 10 colleges and universities:

Sports psychologists may work directly with players, but not always. Suppose you are interested in sports but want to advocate for public policy or answer the biggest questions you have about sports and decision-making. In that case, you may find yourself in a research lab or working with other organizations. Sports psychologists work at:

Sports psychologists may open up their private practice or business. Based on the research you have done and where you want to go in your career, you may find yourself at multiple different organizations or starting your practice at different points throughout your career.

Want to know more about what it takes to be a sports psychologist? Hear it from sports psychologists themselves! Read this interview withJim TaylororAdwaitto learn about what sports psychologists do worldwide.

You can also watch these videos online. From Seattle Seahawks sports psychologistDr. Michael Gervaisand the US Olympic Committee’s Karen Cogen about their field and daily work.

Interviews with athletes also show the impact that sports psychologists have on the world! Listen to a clip where Joe Rogan interviews kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on the importance of sports psychology.

Did you know that aneducational psychologistpioneered sports psychology? That’s right! In the 1920s, educational psychologistColeman Griffithpublished the first papers on sports psychology, including The Psychologist of Athletics. Griffith is considered “the father of sports psychology.”

Many other sports psychologists have greatly impacted the field.Dr. John F. Murrayis one of the most notable sports psychologists today, often called “The Freud of Football.”

Dr. Robert Nidefferhas published 15 books and over 100 articles on sports psychology. He has worked with US Olympic teams and institutions around the world.

AlthoughMihaly Csikszentmihalyiis not primarily known as a sports psychologist, his work on the idea of “flow” has been applied to sports. He andSusan Jacksonpublished “Flow in Sports” in 1999.

Not all sports psychologists do the same thing day-to-day or have the same job as the sports psychologist next door. When you work in this position, you might find yourself:

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Reference this article:Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Sports Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/sports-psychologist/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Sports Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/sports-psychologist/.Copy

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Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Sports Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/sports-psychologist/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Sports Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/sports-psychologist/.Copy

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