Also called: Trauma psychologist, VA staff psychologist
Psychologist who treats veterans for PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and readjustment problems.
VA psychologists lead therapy sessions using evidence-based treatments like prolonged exposure therapy, run group sessions, and do assessments. The VA is the largest employer of psychologists in the U.S. and trains thousands of interns.
VA federal pay; BLS clinical and counseling psychologists median is ~$96k.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. Bachelor's, then a PhD or PsyD in clinical or counseling psychology (5-6 years) plus a VA internship.
Ways in: Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Psychology, Neuroscience.
Growing faster than average (about 7% over 10 years). BLS projects ~7% growth for clinical and counseling psychologists.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps with notes and screening; PTSD therapy with veterans stays human.
Classes: AP Psychology, AP Biology, Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-3033.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.