You didn't mention gender discrimination. And there’s little opportunity for advancement. Two of them chose psychology. If the psychological disciplines could produce a coherent, objective, body of clear health and pathology parameters and the, again, biomedically objective causes-effects of pathology, perhaps our culture would ascribe greater value to mental health services. Of course, there were unions then. Moonlighting to make ends meet is a burden facing much of the U.S. workforce — the plight of teachers, who sometimes work side jobs on nights and weekends to provide for their families, have dominated news cycles this year. Simultaneously, they are perceived as unable to make decisions for themselves. Well, people with mental health conditions are typically held responsible and blamed for their behavior and symptoms. Guaynabo PR 00968, Photo illustration by Money; Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury—Getty Images, Sign up to receive the latest updates and smartest advice from the editors of Money. At previous EMT jobs, Eisenhauer had been hired on a per-diem basis, so she took whatever hours she could get, even if it meant working overnights, weekends, and back to back shifts. If the thought of being rushed to the hospital in a speeding ambulance gives you goosebumps, here’s something that will really make your skin crawl. Why are so many people drawn to conspiracy theories in times of crisis? Job availability, though, may vary by location and industry. A savvy graduate with a psychology bachelors degree can land a career in business, research positions in marketing or program evaluation, and a variety of other careers. Mental health workers make the most in New Hampshire with an average salary of $63,399. i have always loved psychology, and after taking a social psychology class, i decided nursing was not for me. Much of a psychologist’s salary is directly related to their workload. Eisenhauer, for her part, started on a volunteer squad in high school, and has worked in a variety of paid EMT jobs throughout New Jersey in the years since. Psychology — and counseling psychology in particular, with an average annual salary of $29,000 — were among the majors with the lowest salaries. It wasn’t a lot — barely enough to cover her bills, groceries, and car payments. Advocates have floated several solutions, though most require insurance reform, a redistribution of taxpayer money, and a level of advocacy that is unlikely to catch hold anytime soon. Psychologist. Oftentimes, schools that offer degrees in counseling psychology will also offer degrees in social work or addiction therapy, for instance. Chances are, the person behind the wheel — and the one administering life-saving care in the back — are both tired, overworked, and underpaid. Insurance is another pain point. Those who do continue on to graduate school work in a variety of areas, all with different ranges of pay. That’s about 40% less than the average employed American earns, and one of the worst-paying medical jobs out there. Or at least that’s the thinking when it comes to preserving physical and mental health after unemployment. So long as enough people can do the work of mental health specialists and want to do it, there isn't enough of an incentive for institutions or individuals to pay these professionals better. Mental health nurses do many of the same things that psychiatrists do, such as diagnosing conditions, doing psychotherapy and prescribing drugs. But the challenges facing Emergency Medical Services (EMS)—the umbrella term for EMTs and paramedics—are rarely discussed outside of hospital break rooms. If you choose to interact with the content on our site, we will likely receive compensation. You’re either an EMT or you’re running the agency, with very little in between.”.