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Psychologist Salary Info: The 9 Highest Paying Careers

Which psychology jobs pay the best salary?

Psychology careers can offer exciting challenges and personal rewards, but they can also be financially rewarding as well. While psychology can be a high-paying job, you should also recognize that psychology careers and  salaries and yearly earnings can vary greatly. Many students have turned their interest toward some of the highest-paying careers in psychology. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average median salary for all psychologists was $92,740 as of May 2023. The highest-paying psychologist career salaries were more than $151,880.

While many psychology careers offer higher-than-average yearly salaries, it is important to remember that income depends on various factors, including geographic location, employment sector, educational background, and years of experience.

At a Glance

If you are planning a career in psychology (or thinking about making a career change), you might want to consider some job options with a high earning potential. Some high-paying psychology jobs—such as those in psychiatry, industrial-organizational psychology, and clinical psychology—require advanced education and training, so it's essential to start making an educational plan now rather than later. Keep reading to learn more about the highest-paying psychology careers, the typical salaries for such professions, and the academic requirements for entering these fields.

Psychiatrist

Average Salary:  $256,930 per year

Educational Requirements:  Considered a medical career, psychiatry is significantly tied to the study and application of psychology. Approximately eight years of post-undergraduate study. After earning a bachelor's degree, aspiring psychiatrists must graduate from medical school and then complete a four-year residency.

Psychiatry is one of the highest-paying fields tied to psychology. However, salaries can vary considerably within this field depending on your specialty area , where you are employed, and the work you perform.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Average Salary: $154,380 per year

Educational Requirements: In most cases, a master's degree in psychology is the minimum training required, although having a doctorate degree may be advantageous. While opportunities are available at the master's degree level, earning a doctorate degree in industrial-organizational psychology offers greater opportunities and higher salaries.

Industrial-organizational psychologists use their knowledge of psychology to tackle workplace issues. Increasing worker productivity, selecting the best employees for particular jobs, and developing market research surveys are just a few things that an industrial-organizational psychologist might do.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that I/O psychologists in the scientific research and development industry earned an average annual wage of $169,890 as of May 2023. Those employed at colleges, universities, and professional schools earned an average of $93,490.

According to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology , the average salary for a doctorate-level consultant was $167,000.

Neuropsychologist

Average Salary: $100,000+ per year

Educational Requirements: A doctorate degree in neuropsychology or clinical neuropsychology is needed to work in this field.

Neuropsychologists specialize in the study of the brain and cognitive science. People who work in this field often perform cognitive tests, run brain scans, assess people suffering from brain injury, and study how drugs impact the nervous system. They may work at colleges and universities, hospitals, research centers, mental health clinics, and pharmaceutical labs.

Clinical Psychologist

Average Salary: $96,100 per year

Educational Requirements: In most states, clinical psychologists must have a doctorate degree in psychology. In addition to this education, they must also complete one to two years of supervised residency and pass state licensing exams in order to practice as a licensed clinical psychologist.

Clinical psychologists are trained in assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness. This is also the largest area of employment within psychology. Clinical psychologists work in various settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, and private practice.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that in May 2019, those employed in individual and family services earned an average of $85,140. Those employed in the offices of other health practitioners earned an average of $100,300 per year.

Engineering Psychologist

Average Salary: $111,368 per year

Educational Requirements: Entry-level positions require a master's degree, but those with a doctorate will find greater employment opportunities and better salaries.

Engineering psychologists work to improve the design of systems, operations, and equipment in order to increase efficiency, improve productivity, and minimize injury. As with other specialty areas of psychology, the area of employment plays a major role in determining salary. Engineering psychologists who work in the private sector earn considerably more than those employed in university settings.

Counseling Psychologist

Average Salary: $96,100 per year

Educational Requirements: A PhD, PsyD , or EdD degree is required to become a counseling psychologist.

Counseling psychologists perform many of the same tasks as clinical psychologists, such as offering psychotherapy and mental health treatment, but they typically work with clients suffering from less severe forms of mental illness.

While mental health is one of the largest areas within counseling psychology, some people in this field opt to conduct research. They also teach university courses or provide vocational counseling.

Forensic Psychologist

Average Salary: $125,000 - $149,999 per year

Educational Requirements: While there are some jobs available with a master's degree, you will typically need a doctorate degree in clinical, counseling, or forensic psychology.

Forensic psychologists deal with psychological issues related to the law. Some of the duties that a professional in this field might perform include developing psychological profiles of criminals, dealing with child custody issues, investigating child abuse, providing expert testimony, preparing witnesses to testify in court, and offering training to law enforcement.

School Psychologist

Average Salary: $84,940 per year

Educational Requirements: Most states require completing a 60-credit school psychology specialist program, which leads to a master's or EdS degree. Approximately 32% of school psychologists hold a PhD , PsyD, or EdD degree.

School psychologists work within the educational system to diagnose and treat behavior and learning problems in children. They often collaborate with other professionals, including teachers, doctors, and parents to help kids overcome social, emotional, behavioral, and academic problems.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, jobs in this field are expected to grow by approximately 1% over the next decade.

Sports Psychologist

Average Salary:  $60,000 to $80,000 per year

Educational Requirements:  Most jobs require a master's or doctorate degree in sports psychology or in related areas such as clinical or counseling psychology. Sports psychologists  are interested in the psychological components of sports and athletics.

Professionals in this field often focus on topics such as  motivation  and athletic performance. They utilize their knowledge of psychology to help athletes perform better or to help people recover from sports injuries.

While salaries for sports psychologists typically range between $60,000 and $80,000, those working with professional athletes often earn over six figures.

What Psych Career Is Best For You? Take the Quiz

This fast and free psychology careers quiz can help you get a better sense for which kind of psychology career might be the best fit for your personality, career interests, salary needs, and more.

Choosing a career is a big decision, and the salary is just one of many factors you need to consider. Money is an important component, but factors such as job outlook and quality of life are also essential.

So is becoming a psychologist worth it? Only you can decide. Think about how a particular career may suit your personality and goals in life before committing. In the end, the best job for you is the one you will enjoy the most and fulfills your personal and professional needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

While specific salaries vary depending on factors including experience and location, psychiatry tends to be the highest-paying psychology-related career.

They can! However, it is important to recognize that individual salaries vary greatly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for psychologists is $92,740 as of May 2023. However, the lowest paid 10% made less than $52,430 per year. Your salary may depend on your specialty, training, experience, area of employment, and geographic location.

Psychology can be a good career if it is suited to your interests and goals. The field is expected to experience modest growth in the coming year, and there are always opportunities for growth depending on where your interests lie. The growing need for mental health services and an aging population means that there will be a need for trained psychologists.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychologists: Pay . Occupational Outlook Handbook.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023: 29-1223 Psychiatrists .

Zavlin D, Jubbal KT, Noé JG, Gansbacher B. A comparison of medical education in Germany and the United States: from applying to medical school to the beginnings of residency. Ger Med Sci. 2017;15:Doc15. doi:10.3205/000256

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 19-3032 Industrial-Organizational Psychologists .

Torpey E. Business careers with high pay.  Career Outlook,  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016.

Moralo TS, Graupner LI. The role of the industrial psychologist in managing the psychological impact of COVID-19 in the workplace .  Front Psychol . 2022;13:920894. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.920894

Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. The SIOP income and employment report is here !

Sweet JJ, Benson LM, Nelson NW, Moberg PJ. The American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, National Academy of Neuropsychology, and Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (APA Division 40) 2015 in professional practice and ‘salary survey’: Professional practices, beliefs, and incomes of U.S. neuropsychologists . The Clinical Neuropsychologist . 2015;29(8):1069-1162. doi:10.1080/13854046.2016.1140228

Casaletto KB, Heaton RK. Neuropsychological assessment: Past and future .  J Int Neuropsychol Soc . 2017;23(9-10):778-790. doi:10.1017/S1355617717001060

Gee DG, DeYoung KA, McLaughlin KA, et al. Training the next generation of clinical psychological scientists: A data-driven call to action .  Annu Rev Clin Psychol . 2022;18:43-70. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-092500

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational employment and wages, May 2019: 19-3031 clinical, counseling, and school psychologists .

American Psychological Association.  Postgrad growth area: Engineering psychology .

McAndrew LM, Martin JL, Friedlander M, et al. The common sense of counseling psychology: Introducing the common-sense model of self-regulation .  Couns Psychol Q . 2018;31(4):497-512. doi:10.1080/09515070.2017.1336076

Neal TMS, Line EN. Income, demographics, and life experiences of clinical-forensic psychologists in the United States .  Front Psychol . 2022;13:910672. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.910672

Iudici A, Salvini A, Faccio E, Castelnuovo G. The clinical assessment in the legal field: An empirical study of bias and limitations in forensic expertise. Front Psychol. 2015;6:1831. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01831

Volpe RJ, Chafouleas SM, Gonzalez J, Ardoin S, Jimerson SR. The science of school psychologists: Developing a standard definition .  J Sch Psychol . 2022;94:A1-A12. doi:10.1016/j.jsp.2022.06.006

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychologists: Job outlook . Occupational Outlook Handbook .

American Psychological Association. Hot careers: Sports psychology .

Röthlin P, Birrer D, Horvath S, Grosse holtforth M. Psychological skills training and a mindfulness-based intervention to enhance functional athletic performance: design of a randomized controlled trial using ambulatory assessment. BMC Psychol. 2016;4(1):39. doi:10.1186/s40359-016-0147-y

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Doctorate (PhD), Clinical Psychology Degree

Doctorate (PhD), Clinical Psychology Jobs by Salary

Featured content, related degrees by salary.

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Years of Experience

Gender breakdown for doctorate (phd), clinical psychology.

What Salary Can I Expect With a PhD in Psychology?

With a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), you may have employment options in academia, research and direct client services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologists earned a median 2020income of ​$82,180​ per year. Median income means that half in the profession earned more, while half earned less. As with most jobs, the doctorate in psychology salary varies according to a number of factors, including job responsibilities, employer and geographic location.

Ph.D. versus Psy.D.

There are two types of doctoral degrees that can be earned in psychology. The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Ph.D.), which typically requires 5 to 7 years of study beyond the bachelor's degree, puts greater emphasis on research. The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree puts greater emphasis on clinical practice. Degree candidates undertake 4 to 6 years of studies and must also complete a year of supervised clinical work. You can look on the website of the American Psychological Association to search Psy.D. and Ph.D. psychology programs to find one right for you.

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Employment website ZipRecruiter reported a salary range for doctoral-level psychologists providing direct human services between ​$37,500​ to ​$153,000​. Average earnings were ​$103,494​ as of July 2021. Cities where holders of the PsyD degree reported highest earnings included the following:

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Ph.D. in Psychology Salaries

According to the employment website Salary, an individual with a Ph.D. in Psychology earned a median of ​$106,111​ as of August 2021. Pay typically ranged from ​$95,477​ to ​$119,166​, with the top 10 percent earning ​$131,052​. As with Psy.D. positions, geographic locations affect earnings. Psychologists in the San Francisco area earned about 25 percent more than the national average. New York City psychologists earned about 20 percent above the average. Boston-based psychologists earned 12.7 percent above average. In Miami, FL, however, psychologists typically earned 2.6 percent less than the national average.

Education Positions

ZipRecruiter maintains a state-by-state list of salaries for psychology professors. On average, earnings were highest in Massachusetts (​$67,885​), Hawaii (​$67,232​), Connecticut (​$66,853​), Rhode Island (​$64,766​) and Washington (​$64,027​). Salaries in academia depend on the institution, and whether the individual is a full-time, tenured professor. Lowest average salaries were reported in Georgia (​$51,424​), New Mexico (​$50,239​), Alabama (​$50,221​), North Carolina (​$49,346​) and Florida (​$48,468​).

Cost of Living Across the U.S.

When looking at a doctorate in philosophy salary, consider where the job is located. Use a cost of living calculator, such as the free calculator at NerdWallet, to find out what you need to earn to maintain your standard of living if you moved to another place. For example, if you earned ​$118,392​ in Boston, MA, you'd need to earn ​$157,830​ to maintain your standard of living in San Francisco, where the cost of living is 35 percent higher. However, if you moved from Boston to Madison, WI, you'd only have to earn ​$84,476​ because the cost of living is 29 percent lower.

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Psychologists
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• Salary: Psychologist PhD Salary in the United States
• NerdWallet: Cost of Living Calculator

How Much Does A Psychologist Make?

Updated: Apr 12, 2022, 4:02pm

If you’ve ever had a session with a psychologist, you know how expensive therapy can be. A session can cost $60 to $250 per hour, so when considering a career in psychology students may wonder how much a psychologist actually makes.

The median income for psychologists was $82,180 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but a psychologist’s income can vary based on their specialty, years of experience and location. When considering a psychologist’s earnings, keep in mind that the career path requires a substantial amount of education and training.

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How Much Does a Psychologist Make?

While a salary over $80,000 can sound appealing, recognize what it takes to earn that income.

To become a psychologist, you need to have at least a master’s degree; however, the majority of psychologists go on to earn doctoral degrees. They also may be licensed and certified, which requires additional training and ongoing education.

Earning a graduate degree in psychology can be expensive. The Education Data Initiative reports that the average debt for students who hold a Ph.D. is over $158,000. With such a high debt amount, that median salary may be less attractive.

Psychologists may experience variation in earnings. The highest 10% of psychologists earned more than $137,950, so it could be a lucrative career. Exactly how much you earn is largely dependent on your specialty. Below are the average salaries for multiple specialties.

School Psychologist

Average salary: Over $62,000

For those who enjoy working with children, a career in school psychology may be a good fit. A school psychologist works in primary, secondary or post-secondary institutions assessing students. They may consult with parents, make recommendations for children with learning disabilities and address behavioral problems.

Psychology Professor

Average salary: Over $64,000

Psychologists can opt for teaching careers, either full-time or as an adjunct position. Professors teach the fundamentals of psychology to college students — both those majoring in psychology and those majoring in other subjects.

Forensic Psychologist

Average salary: Over $71,000

Forensic psychologists work within the legal system to evaluate individuals for mental competency, make recommendations to the court about sentencing, serve as expert witnesses and consult with law enforcement.

Clinical Psychologist

Average salary: Over $80,000

A clinical psychologist works directly with patients dealing with mental health conditions. They will evaluate and diagnose patients and design treatment plans to help individuals manage their diseases. These psychologists may work in their own private practice or be employed by a larger practice or hospital.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Average salary: Over $84,000

An industrial-organizational psychologist works with companies to improve workplaces. They analyze human behavior and use psychological principles to address workplace problems like productivity, employee morale, performance evaluations, and employee burnout.

Neuropsychologist

Average salary: Over $94,000

A neuropsychologist focuses on the physical structure of the brain. They work with patients that may have suffered brain damage due to injuries or illnesses to evaluate brain function. These psychologists help design a treatment plan with a patient’s care team.

What Affects Your Potential Earnings?

Your earnings as a psychologist can be dependent on the factors listed below.

As demonstrated above, specialty impacts income. For example, a school psychologist will likely be on the lower end with an average salary of $63,347. By contrast, a neuropsychologist can earn significantly more, with an average salary of $94,747.

When considering a specialty, keep in mind that the higher earnings are often the result of additional education and training, which can mean a larger amount of student loan debt and more time spent in school.

Education level

While it is possible to practice psychology with only a master’s degree, earnings will likely be lower for a master’s graduate than a doctoral graduate. In general, psychologists with doctorates and certifications command higher salaries. To maximize earning potential as a psychologist, consider how much education and training you need to reach your goals.

In addition to specialty, the sector you work in affects your income. Whether you decide to work independently and open your own practice or work in a hospital, your place of employment can impact your earnings. Below are the median salaries for psychologists in different sectors in 2017:

• Business and Industry: $100,000
• Government: $92,000
• Self-Employed: $85,000
• Public Educational Institutions: $73,000
• Private Educational Institutions: $71,000

The highest-paid psychologists typically work in business, consulting with employers and manufacturers. On the other end, the lowest-paid tend to work in private educational institutions.

Where you live also affects your income. Areas with a high- cost of living , such as California, will often result in a much higher salary than if you lived in the Midwest.

The top-paying states for psychologists are:

• California: Average salary of $124,910
• Alaska: Average salary of $118,270
• Illinois: Average salary of $115,340
• Virginia: Average salary of $109,060
• Colorado: Average salary of $103,560

For a better idea of how location impacts earnings, check out this map from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows average salaries for psychologists by state .

Is a Career in Psychology Right for You?

There are a number of factors that affect how much psychologists can make. It’s a fascinating field with many opportunities for helping others. The average salary for psychologists is higher than the national average for all occupations, but it also requires more education and training. When considering a career in psychology, carefully weigh the pros and cons to make the best decision for you.

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For the past seven years, Kat has been helping people make the best financial decisions for their unique situations, whether they're looking for the right insurance policies or trying to pay down debt. Kat has expertise in insurance and student loans, and she holds certifications in student loan and financial education counseling.

Growth in postgraduate salaries for psychology doctorates outpaced inflation

News on psychologists' education and employment from APA's Center for Workforce Studies

Vol. 51, No. 7 Print version: page 19

• Early Career
• Healthy Workplaces

• In 2018, the median salary for new psychology research doctorates who graduated with employment plans was $66,000. 1 That figure was $14,000 less than the median expected salary for recent doctorate recipients across all fields ($80,000).
• Among psychology doctorate degree earners, median expected salaries were highest for those working in industry or business ($87,000) and lowest for those in academia ($60,000). 2
• Between 2014 and 2018, postgraduate salary growth outpaced inflation 3 in most sectors. When adjusted for inflation, the largest median salary increase was for psychology doctorate recipients who expected to work in industry or business (an increase of $8,000). By contrast, the median salary for those expected to work for the government decreased by $3,000, from $73,000 to $70,000. The remaining sectors all showed moderate increases in median salaries.

Want more information? See CWS’s interactive data tools  or contact us .

Source: National Science Foundation, Survey of Earned Doctorates (2018).

1 National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. (2014–18). Doctorate Recipients From U.S. Universities. Retrieved from www.nsf.gov/statistics/doctorates. This report included 1,017 individuals earning psychology research doctorates from U.S. institutions in the 2017–18 academic year who had definite employment plans at the time they applied for graduation. A research doctorate requires the completion of a dissertation or equivalent project and is not primarily intended for the practice of a profession. Respondents were asked “What best describes the status of your postgraduate plans?” and those selected “I accepted or am employed in a position other than a postdoc or training position” were coded as having definite postgraduate employment plans. Median salaries were based on the basic annual salary from the position they accepted or were employed at and were rounded to the nearest thousand.

2 Academe included employment in four-year colleges or universities, medical schools, university-affiliated research institutes or other educational institutions. Business and industry includes employment in non-educational institutions, in business or industry (for profit), and self-employment.

3 2014 median salaries were adjusted for inflation to 2018 dollars using the Consumer Price Index inflationcalculator: www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm . The rate of inflation was 5.8% between 2014 and 2018.

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Ph.D. Graduate Program in Psychological Sciences and Human Development

Introduction.

The Graduate Field of Psychological Sciences and Human Development (PSYHD)  includes faculty members from departments across the university including Psychology, Neurobiology and Behavior, Communication, and Philosophy.  See below for more on the Cornell Field System. The dominant strengths of the PSYHD Field lie in four broadly defined areas: Cognition , Development ,  Neuroscience , and Social and Personality . The goal of the Field is to educate students to become researchers, scholars, and teachers who will contribute to the future of psychology as a scientific discipline in academic or other research-oriented settings.

Our program prepares students for research and teaching careers in academic life, work in government agencies, and careers in industry or other public and private sectors.  We encourage you to explore the history of our M.A. and Ph.D. theses through the  Cornell University Theses/Dissertations guide .

Please note that we do not offer training in clinical psychology, counseling, school psychology, community psychology, industrial psychology, or clinical neuropsychology.  Applicants with primary interests in these subjects are not admitted.

To enter the PSYHD Doctoral (Ph.D.) program, you must  apply directly  to the Cornell University Graduate School. You may also want to investigate the  Cornell Graduate School  site for additional information about applying.

Application portal opens on September 1   Application portal closes on December 1 (11:59 pm)

Ph.D. Program

We offer three Ph.D. Degrees:

•Ph.D. in Psychology  •Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology  •Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies

The Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook (Quick Guide) can be found here.

The Ph.D. program in PSYHD is a research focused, apprentice-styled (mentor-mentee) graduate program.  The curriculum and requirements are designed for a 5 year program; the median time to complete the Ph.D. is 5.5 years.

Student progress is supervised by a Primary Advisor who serves as the Chair of a Special Committee comprised of two faculty members, typically within the Psychological Sciences and Human Development graduate field . Prospective students should investigate the faculty members within the PSYHD field, and particularly within the Department of Psychology, whose research interests are compatible with the students' interests.  Prospective students for the Ph.D. program should then contact those faculty directly before applying.

Application requirements

• Unofficial transcript of the undergraduate record
• Three letters of recommendation , with a fourth letter optional, which your recommenders will upload to the application.

Academic Statement of Purpose

Describe (within 1000 words) the substantive research questions you are interested in pursuing during your graduate studies, and explain how our program would help you achieve your intellectual goals. Additionally, detail your academic background, intellectual interests and any training or research experience you have received that you believe has prepared you for our program. Within your statement, please also identify specific faculty members whose research interests align with your own interests.

Personal statement of interest

Please describe (within 1000 words) how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Additionally, provide insight on your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and work productively and positively together. We also encourage you to include information on any of the following areas:

• How your personal, academic, and/or professional experiences demonstrate your ability to be both persistent and resilient especially when navigating challenging circumstances.
• How you engage with others and have facilitated and/or participated in productive teams.
• How you have experienced or come to understand the barriers faced by others whose experiences and backgrounds may differ from your own.
• If relevant, how your research interests focus on issues related to diversity, inclusion, access, inequality, and/or equity.
• Your service and/or leadership in efforts to advance diversity, inclusion, access, and equity especially by those from backgrounds historically underrepresented and/or marginalized.
• Additional context around any perceived gaps or weaknesses in your academic record (including, but not limited to, personal and family struggles with unemployment and health as a result of the pandemic, systemic discrimination and the fight for civil rights, and any other situational factors that may have impacted achievements throughout your life).

Applicants are not required to submit scores on the GRE; the GRE subject test in psychology, or to have had an undergraduate major in psychology. 

Prior research experience is highly desirable; applicants may submit research reports or work.

Additional requirements for International applicants:

• English Language Proficiency requirement (TOEFL or IELTS)
• International Degree Equivalencies

The Field Structure

At Cornell, graduate study is organized using a field structure.   Fields are composed of faculty members from a number of departments who come together around a shared intellectual interest, and may draw from different campuses or colleges.  Graduate students are admitted to fields of study.  Within each field, they select major and minor subjects, which are research interests or concentrations.

Fields span departments and even disciplines.  It’s possible for a student in the field of economics to include faculty on his or her special committee from industrial labor and economics, civil and environmental engineering, and sociology, along with the more traditional economics and management.

Click here for the complete "Fields of Study, Subjects, and Concentrations" in PDF form .

Student Life

Alexander G. Ophir, Director of Graduate Studies Uris Hall, Room 218 E-mail:  [email protected] Phone:  607-255-3714

Pamela A. Cunningham, Graduate Field Assistant   •  Psychology Ph.D. Uris Hall, Room 211A E-mail:  [email protected] Phone:  607-255-3834 Fax: 607-255-8433

Marianne Arcangeli, Graduate Field Assistant   •  Developmental Psychology Ph.D.   •  Human Development and Family Studies Ph.D. Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Room G201B E-mail:  [email protected] Phone:  607-255-4661

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Average Clinical Psychologist Salary by State

About 1 in 5 American adults is dealing with a mental illness, and young people experience mental illness in roughly the same numbers. For all Americans, suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death, and it’s the second-leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34.

America is facing a veritable mental health crisis, but less than half of the people who have a mental illness seek treatment, with only about 4 in 10 getting any mental healthcare. For men, the percentages are even lower, with only about 35% of men experiencing a mental illness seeking treatment for it.

Still, the awareness of mental illness is growing , and the stigma around seeking help does seem to be creeping lower and lower, which is a good sign not only for the average American but for the entire mental healthcare landscape.

EXPERT VOICE: How much do clinical psychologists earn each year? Depends upon location, work site, specialization, salary vs contract or private practice or continuation, years of experience, population treated, etc. Starting salaries may be around $60-$75k, up to $100k at a VA. mid-career typically $85-$100k. If you manage others in a private practice, do forensic or neuropsych work, or consult you can earn more. – Denis Zavodny , PhD Psychologist/Board Certified Behavior Analyst

A crucial individual in that landscape is the licensed clinical psychologist , a highly trained professional who works with patients, clients and families to diagnose and treat mental health disorders as well as improve emotional and psychological behaviors.

The job outlook for these individuals is quite positive, with most states offering high wages and healthy growth rates. Let’s take a look at where each state stands when it comes to clinical psychologist  salaries.

What’s On This Page

Highest clinical psychologist salaries, mid-range clinical psychologist salaries, lowest clinical psychologist salaries.

• 40+ Individual States in Detail

In 11 states, the median annual wage for clinical psychologists is upwards of $80,000, and in one state, the average salary is in the six figures. Four of the 11 are in the West, while five others are on the East Coast.

High-range states (#1-#11)

#1, California

California is the only state with an average clinical psychologist salary that’s higher than $100,000 with the state’s average wage for the job coming in at $100,850. This is considerably higher than the second-place state and is likely due at least in part to the fact that of the 10 cities or geographic regions with the highest wages for this job, all 10 are in California.

Coming in second place, Oregon’s average annual wage for clinical psychologists is $89,150, which puts the state well behind California. Still, clinical psychologists in Oregon can expect to make almost double the wage for all jobs in the state, as Oregon’s median overall wage is just $39,582.

#3, Connecticut

Connecticut’s median salary of $88,890 puts the state in third place overall, though clinical psychologist wages still are considerably higher than the state’s overall median wage of $46,924. Also, outside of cities in California, Connecticut is home to the metro area with the fifth-highest wage, Hartford, with a median salary of $94,000.

#4, New York

New York comes in fourth place with a median clinical psychologist wage of $88,710, which is right at double the overall median wage for the state of $44,990. The greater New York City metro area boasts a median wage of $92,380 for clinical psychologists, which helps propel the state to the higher end of the list.

#5, Rhode Island

Fifth-place Rhode Island’s median overall wage of $42,036 is less than half the state’s average salary for clinical psychologists, which is $86,370. Additionally, Rhode Island has the highest concentration of clinical psychologist jobs with 1.824 clinical psychologists per 1,000 jobs. Vermont is second at 1.477.

#6, New Jersey

Also getting a boost from the relatively high wages in the New York City metro area, New Jersey’s average clinical psychologist salary of $85,160 puts the state in sixth place overall. Also, Trenton is among the top 25 cities in the concentration of clinical psychologist jobs.

#7, District of Columbia

Thanks to its high population concentration, the seventh-place District of Columbia’s average clinical psychologist wage of $84,780 is only about 15% higher than the overall wage for all jobs in the district, $71,676.

Alaska comes in eighth on the list with a median annual wage of $84,740 for clinical psychologists. In addition to being safely in the top 10, Alaska’s clinical psychologist wage is nearly double the overall median wage of $48,027. Alaska has the highest rate of short-term growth expected in clinical psychologist job openings, with a projected 7.7% surge expected through 2020.

#9, Minnesota

The highest-placing Midwestern state on the list, Minnesota’s median annual wage of $84,630 puts the state in ninth place overall. Clinical psychologists on average make about double what all workers earn, and Minnesota’s position on the list is partially buoyed by the Twin Cities — the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area has the 11th-highest clinical psychologist wage ($88,920) among all metro areas outside of California.

#10, Colorado

Rounding out the top 10 is Colorado, where a typical clinical psychologist earns $84,410 per year, just under double the overall wage for all workers of $42,307. Additionally, Colorado is home to the non-California city with the eighth-highest median wage, Grand Junction, with an average salary of $91,020. Colorado tops the nation in the projected long-term growth rate of clinical psychologist job openings, with an increase of 33.5% expected through 2026.

#11, North Dakota

North Dakota comes in at No. 11, the only other state with a median annual wage of more than $80,000 — $83,730, to be exact. Clinical psychologists in the state earn well over double the wage of all workers, as North Dakota’s overall median wage is just $41,329.

A total of 25 states have wages that are in the middle of the road, between $79,999 and $64,999. The mid-tier salary states are quite diverse geographically, ranging from Maine to Washington, though the Midwest is the region most well-represented in the bracket, claiming eight of the 25.

Mid-range states (#12-#36)

#12, Massachusetts

Massachusetts has the 12th-highest median annual wage for clinical psychologists, with a rate of $79,810. Though this is higher than the overall wage for all jobs of $48,672, Massachusetts has the seventh-smallest gap between the two. A pair of Massachusetts communities are hotbeds of clinical psychologist jobs, with both Barnstable and New Bedford having employment concentration levels in the top 10 among all cities. Additionally, Massachusetts has one of the highest rates of prevalence of mental illness, with about 21% of adults having any mental illness, and the state has the third-highest rate of treatment prevalence in the country.

#13, Maryland

Lucky No. 13 is Maryland, where the average clinical psychologist makes $78,980 per year. The overall median wage for Maryland is $44,699, so the gulf between clinical psychologists and other workers isn’t huge, but salaries are higher in a few Maryland cities and metro areas, led by the Salisbury metro area, which ranks (what else?) No. 13 among all cities with a median wage of $87,480.

Iowa comes in at No. 14 overall, with a median wage of $78,810, well over double the overall median salary of just $37,107. Iowa is also home to multiple cities and metro areas with even higher salaries — Davenport’s average salary is $97,820, third-highest in the U.S., and Des Moines boasts a median salary of $93,360, which is sixth-highest, higher even than New York City.

#15, Hawaii

Hawaii ranks in 15th place with an average annual wage of $78,440. While well outside the top 10, the rate is still considerably higher than the overall median wage in the state of $42,473.

#16, Nevada

Nevada’s average salary for clinical psychologists is $77,200, which puts the state in 16th place. This salary figure is well above the rate for all jobs in the state, with Nevada’s annual median wage for all occupations coming in at just $35,547. Reno’s median annual wage of $90,900 is No. 9 among all metro areas, and Nevada is expected to see an increase of about 22% in job openings through 2026.

#17, Wisconsin

A clinical psychologist in Wisconsin can expect to earn an annual salary of $77,090, which puts the state at No. 17 overall. This rate is more than double the overall state wage of $37,960, and the state enjoys some boost from the higher clinical psychology wages in the nearby Twin Cities.

#18, Michigan

Michigan’s median annual wage for clinical psychologists, $75,340, puts the state at No. 18 overall, and the rate is just over double the typical wage for all jobs of $37,606. Jackson, Michigan has a median wage among the top 15 of all cities at $87,530, helping elevate the state’s position.

#19, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is No. 19 thanks to an average salary of $74,930, which is nearly double the average wage for all jobs of $38,459. Pennsylvania’s clinical psychologists enjoy some wage spillover effect from New York City, and a couple of other Pennsylvania cities have wages higher than the overall state average: Lancaster ($79,960) and Harrisburg ($78,900).

#20, Delaware

Delaware’s annual median wage of $74,390 puts the state at No. 20 overall, and the clinical psychologist salary figure is much higher than the state’s overall median wage of $39,894.

#21, Wyoming

Coming in at No. 21, Wyoming’s average salary of $74,350 for clinical psychologists compares favorably to the state’s overall median wage for all jobs of $40,227. Cheyenne’s annual median wage of $85,110 is the 23rd highest among all cities, helping elevate the state. Additionally, clinical psychologist job openings are expected to increase by 4% through 2020, the ninth-highest increase in the U.S.

#22, Virginia

The median annual wage in Virginia of $73,930 puts the state at No. 22 and is about 45% higher than the overall rate for all jobs of $40,830. Additionally, Virginia is projected to have the eighth-highest rate of long-term growth in clinical psychologist job openings, with an 18.2% increase expected through 2026.

#23, New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s average annual salary figure of $73,840 is the nation’s 23rd highest, and clinical psychologists in the state can expect to make nearly double the overall median wage, which is $39,873.

Ohio clinical psychologists, who make an average of $73,930, earn about double the average worker, who earns just $37,356 per year. Ohio’s average salary puts the state at No. 24 nationally, and Toledo wages are even higher ($84,890).

Maine’s median annual wage of $72,200 puts the state at No. 25 nationally. Clinical psychologists in the state earn nearly double what the average Mainer earns, with the state’s overall median wage coming in at just $37,128.

#26, Washington

Washington’s average annual clinical psychologist salary of $71,670 is the national median, putting Washington at No. 26 among all the states and D.C. Washington also is one of the states with the narrowest gulf between clinical psychologists and all workers, with the state’s overall median wage reaching $46,113.

#27, Illinois

Illinois is the highest-wage state among the bottom half of all states at No. 27, with a median wage of $71,340 for clinical psychologists. Still, the wage is considerably higher than the overall salary for all workers in Illinois, which is $39,956.

#28, Georgia

Clinical psychologists in Georgia earn a median annual wage of $71,200, which puts the state at No. 28. But that wage is about double the overall annual salary for all workers in the state of $35,942. Additionally, the outlook in Georgia is one of the best in the nation, with the state placing in the top 10 for both long- and short-term growth in job openings, 17.4% and 3.9%, respectively.

In Utah, the median wage for clinical psychologists is $70,740, which puts the state at No. 29 nationally. That’s still relatively high for Utah, though, as the overall median wage in the state is $36,795. Utah also has a healthy outlook, with both long- and short-term growth rates among the 10 highest in the country, 30.8% and 4.1%, respectively.

#30, Florida

Among all states with median salaries under $70,000, Florida’s rate is the highest, $69,650, putting the state at No. 30 overall. Also, the wage is well over double the overall wage in the state of $34,569. Florida has the nation’s seventh-highest long-term growth rate in job openings, with an increase of 19.9% projected through 2026.

#31, South Dakota

South Dakota is at No. 31 with a median salary rate of $68,780, which is well over double the average salary for all jobs in South Dakota, which is just $33,446. In fact, the gulf between clinical psychologist pay and wages for all jobs is fifth-highest in South Dakota.

#32, Nebraska

The median annual wage of $67,060 in Nebraska puts the Cornhusker State at No. 32 nationally, and clinical psychologists in the state make considerably more than their average fellow worker, with the median wage for all jobs in the state falling to $37,128.

#33, New Mexico

A typical clinical psychologist in New Mexico should expect to earn around $66,810, which is nearly double the overall median wage in the state of $34,112. Additionally, New Mexico has one of the highest concentrations of clinical psychologists, with such roles accounting for 1.152 per 1,000 jobs, the fifth-highest rate in the country.

Idaho is No. 34 in the nation with an average salary of $66,140 for clinical psychologists. This rate is almost twice that of the average worker in the state, who earns $34,257 per year.

The median annual wage in Texas of $66,070 puts the state in 35th position nationally. Still, this wage is much higher than the overall annual rate of $37,107 for all workers. Also, Texas is expected to see an increase of 20% in clinical psychologist job openings through 2026.

#36, Missouri

With the lowest salary among our mid-tier states, Missouri’s annual median wage for clinical psychologists is $65,890, No. 36 nationally. This is still nearly double the overall wage for all workers in the state, which is $36,046.

Fifteen states have median annual clinical psychologist wages that are sub-$65,000; 10 of the 15 are Southern states, though every other region has at least one state in the lowest tier.

Low-range states (#37-#51)

#37, Tennessee

Among the bottom-tier states, Tennessee’s annual salary figure is the highest at $64,330, which is nearly double the overall annual median rate for all Tennessee workers of $34,902 and puts the state at No. 37 overall.

#38, Indiana

Indiana comes in at No. 38 with an annual wage amount of $63,540. That figure is higher than the overall median wage, which is $35,734. Indiana’s overall placement may be dragged down in part by the median wage in Fort Wayne of $61,750, which is the 13th-lowest among all cities and metro areas.

#39, Louisiana

Louisiana’s annual wage of $63,540 puts the state at No. 39 overall, and that rate is nearly double the overall wage in the state of $33,384. Louisiana’s placement on the list is low despite the state being home to the city with the highest wage (outside of California), Baton Rouge, where the median annual wage for clinical psychologists is $107,370.

#40, North Carolina

North Carolina comes in at No. 40 with an annual salary figure of $62,470. That rate is still far higher than the overall median wage in the state of $35,755. North Carolina’s position among all states is partially dragged down by multiple metro areas in the state with salaries that are lower than the overall state median: Durham-Chapel Hill ($59,960), Greensboro-High Point ($61,340) and Wilmington ($61,530).

#41, Arkansas

With a median annual wage of $62,200, Arkansas is in 41st among all the states. Despite placing near the bottom, clinical psychologists in Arkansas make nearly double the average other worker, who earns a median wage of $31,844, second-lowest in the U.S. Things could soon be looking up in Arkansas, though, as the state expects job openings in this area to grow by 17.7% through 2026, one of the highest rates in the nation.

#42, Arizona

Arizona clinical psychologists can expect an annual salary of $61,500, putting the state at No. 42. That compares to an annual wage for all workers of $37,024. Arizona expects the nation’s third-highest rate of growth in job openings for this role, with a growth rate of about 25% projected through 2026.

#43, South Carolina

South Carolina’s median annual wage of $61,030, puts the state at No. 43 for clinical psychology salaries, though that rate is nearly twice the average wage for all workers in the state of $33,758.

#44, Vermont

Vermont comes in at No. 44 with a median annual rate of $60,590, which is about 53% higher than the overall wage in the state of $39,728. Vermont’s salary amount is the lowest in the Northeastern region.

#45, Montana

Montana is No. 45 with a median annual wage of $60,540, the lowest wage among all Western states. Clinical psychologists can expect to earn salaries in Montana that are considerably higher than the typical worker, who earns $35,089 per year.

#46, Alabama

Alabama’s annual salary figure of $60,370 is No. 46 in the nation and compares to a median annual wage of $33,737 for all workers. The Birmingham metro area has an annual salary amount higher than the state’s average ($62,710) that’s nonetheless the 25th-lowest among the hundreds of metro areas in the U.S.

#47, Kentucky

In Kentucky, clinical psychologists earn an annual salary amount of $59,300, which is fifth-lowest in the country at No. 47 but still far above the typical wage for all workers of $34,652 per year.

#48, Kansas

A median annual wage of $58,900 puts Kansas at No. 48, though the gap between clinical psychologists and other workers is relatively low, with the median annual wage for all workers coming in at $35,942. Kansas has the lowest wages for clinical psychologists in the Midwest.

#49, Mississippi

Mississippi is in the 49th position with an annual salary figure of $57,780, which still compares favorably to the nation’s lowest overall median wage of $30,576.

#50, West Virginia

West Virginia comes in at No. 50 with an annual average salary figure of $50,890, which is still higher than the overall median wage of $32,635 for all workers in the state.

#51, Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s median annual wage of $49,830 for clinical psychologists is the lowest in the country, and the state’s gap between those workers and all workers is the second smallest in the country, as the state’s overall median annual wage is $34,569.

Salary Detail by State

Click below to see details about clinical psychologist salaries in your state.

While we’ve seen that there’s a tremendous amount of geographic variation in what clinical psychologists can expect to earn per year, in every state, these highly trained professionals are compensated at rates far higher than the average worker.

SEE ALSO:  How to Become a Clinical Psychologist?

Additional References

• U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists. (2019.) Custom tables accessed from https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/home
• Projections Managing Partnership, Projections Central, Short Term Occupational Projections. (Undated). Custom tables accessed from https://projectionscentral.com/Projections/ShortTerm
• Projections Managing Partnership, Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections. (Undated). Custom tables accessed from https://projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm
• National Institute of Mental Health, Mental Health Information, Statistics. (2019.) Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml
• Highest Paying Psychology Careers in 2019. (2019). Retrieved from  https://psydprograms.org/top-highest-paying-psychology-careers/
• 15 Great Places to Work in Clinical Psychology in 2019. (2019). Retrieved from  https://psydprograms.org/15-great-places-to-where-clinical-psychologists-can-work/
• Clinical Psychologist Salary Outlook with Ph.D.. (2019). Retrieved from https://psydprograms.org/clinical-psychology-salary-outlook-phd/
• How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make? (2019). Retrieved from  https://psydprograms.org/how-much-do-clinical-psychologists-make/