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Clinical Psychologist Salary Guide 2024

$91,677 is the average annual clinical psychologist salary.

This guide provides more insights on what  clinical psychologists  can expect to earn based on their years of experience and their location. It also covers how clinical psychologists can increase their earning potential and how their salary compares to other subfields of psychology.

What’s in this guide?

What salary can i expect to earn as a clinical psychologist, which u.s. cities have the highest clinical psychologist salaries, which u.s. states have the highest clinical psychologist salaries, how does a clinical psychologist’s salary compare to other psychological fields , advanced education and specialization, private practice or consulting, research and academia.

By psychologyjobs.com Staff Writer

Clinical psychologists generally work with patients with a mental illness — either diagnosed or suspected. Besides conducting therapy sessions, Clinical Psychologists engage in research to further their field’s understanding of how to care for patients.

Some Clinical Psychologists serve as consultants for companies, nonprofits, and other organizations. They may be tasked with improving a community program or teaching executives how to raise their employee’s morale.

As you might expect from a field where the work is varied, the salaries on offer vary as well.

Upon licensure, clinical psychologists begin their career by making $54,440 annually, or about $28.35 per hour. This is the average national starting salary.

With more tenure, their salary increases to $91,667 annually, or about $47.74 per hour. This is the average salary of Clinical Psychologists in the United States.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of a Clinical Psychologist’s expected earnings by years of experience*:

• 0-1 years: $54,440 annually
• 1-4 years: $75,000 annually
• 5-9 years: $83,500 annually
• 10-19 years: $91,500 annually
• 20 or more years: $98,000 annually

*The rates in this list are averages of what Clinical Psychologists across the U.S. earn on a yearly basis. 

Depending on their geographical location, their salaries can vary. A practitioner in California will likely make more money than a Psychologist employed in West Virginia.

A Clinical Psychologist’s earning potential is heavily influenced by where they choose to practice. A higher demand for the profession and more expensive cost of living can mean a larger salary.

These are the top 10 highest paying cities for Clinical Psychologists*:

• Santa Rosa, California: $136,390 annually
• Vacaville, California: $121,753 annually
• Jefferson City, Missouri: $118,920 annually
• Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura, California: $117,960 annually
• San Diego and Carlsbad, California: $117,280 annually
• Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim, California: $117,140 annually
• Madera, California: $116,190 annually
• Trenton, New Jersey: $114,740 annually
• Vallejo and Fairfield, California: $114,580 annually
• Salem, New Hampshire: $113,777 annually

* These salaries are the averages of what Clinical Psychologists of all experience levels make each year. 

Keep in mind that these cities may have a higher cost of living and offer a bigger salary to help offset this. Before committing to a practice location, make sure to research how expensive it is to live there.

While California has several cities that offer higher salaries for psychologists, it isn’t the state with the largest average annual salary. If you’re searching for the best-paying state, you’ll need to look in the complete opposite corner of the United States.

These are the top 10 Highest paying states for Clinical Psychologists*:

• Maine: $133,926 annually
• Idaho: $117,905 annually
• California: $113,480 annually
• New Hampshire: $113,346 annually
• Delaware: $112,388 annually
• Nevada: $108,425 annually
• Connecticut: $107,442 annually
• New Jersey: $106,877 annually
• New York: $106,747 annually
• North Dakota: $105,211 annually

*These salaries are the averages of what Clinical Psychologists of all experience levels make each year. 

While a Clinical Psychologist has the potential to make a six-figure salary, how does their earning potential compare to some of the other popular subsets of psychology?

• Psychiatrist : $208,000-$335,000 annually

These medical professionals are licensed doctors who practice in the field of mental health. They work with patients to diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental illnesses and disorders. Their training involves going to medical school and taking a plethora of tests to earn their credentials, giving their salary an extra boost.

• Neuropsychologist:  $103,000-$140,000 annually

Neuropsychologists are responsible for studying how the human brain and human behavior impact one another. They are a type of Psychologist who has a doctorate in their field and also completed extra training in neuropsychology. They’re mainly found in research centers and clinical offices.

• Counseling Psychologist : $55,000-$104,000 annually

Like Clinical Psychologists, Counseling Psychologists also primarily work as therapists. The main difference between these fields is that Clinical Psychologist’s patients normally have a mental illness, while Counseling Psychologist patient’s do not. These professionals also hold a doctorate and need a license to practice.

• School Psychologist : $63,000-$100,000 annually

These psychological professionals hold either a doctorate or master’s degree. They work in school systems and provide counseling for students. School Psychologists may also give personality tests and create treatment plans for students to thrive in a classroom setting.

How to increase your salary as a clinical psychologist

One effective way for clinical psychologists to increase their salary is by pursuing advanced education and specialization. Acquiring a  doctoral degree , such as a Ph.D. or a Psy.D., can significantly enhance career prospects and earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for psychologists in May 2020 was $82,180, while those with a doctoral degree earned a median wage of $100,770, indicating a substantial salary difference. Specializing in a particular area, such as  neuropsychology ,  child psychology , or  forensic psychology , can further boost earning potential. Specialized expertise allows psychologists to offer niche services that command higher fees due to the demand and limited availability of professionals with those specific skills.

Establishing a private practice or working as a consultant can offer clinical psychologists an opportunity to increase their salary. Private practice allows psychologists to set their own rates and retain a larger portion of their earnings. According to the American Psychological Association’s 2020 salary survey, the median salary for self-employed clinical psychologists was $120,000, compared to $85,000 for those employed in mental health organizations. Additionally, consultants often earn higher rates due to their expertise and flexibility in choosing clients and projects. Building a strong reputation, networking, and marketing oneself effectively can contribute to attracting a consistent client base and securing higher-paying opportunities.

Engaging in research and pursuing a career in academia can be another pathway for clinical psychologists to increase their salary. Research positions, especially in prestigious academic institutions or research-focused organizations, often offer higher salaries and additional benefits. Clinical psychologists who publish influential research papers, obtain grants, and develop expertise in a specific research domain can enhance their earning potential. According to the American Psychological Association’s 2020 salary survey, psychologists working in research positions earned a median salary of $95,000, compared to $85,000 for those in mental health organizations. Additionally, academic positions provide opportunities for advancement, such as becoming a department chair or earning tenure, which can further increase salary levels.

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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."

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Salaries in Psych

Survey of Doctorate Recipients

Data from a biennual survey that follows a sample of individuals who have received a research doctoral degree throughout their careers. A new sample of degree earners has been added every survey cycle since 1973. Data displayed here is from the most recent cycle in 2013 with a total approximate sample size of 47,000.

National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 2013. http://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/doctoratework/2013/ .

All visualizations built by Maheen Shermohammed .

What Salary Can I Expect With a PhD in Psychology?

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What Qualifications Are Needed to Be a Forensic Psychologist?

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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.

Direct Human Services

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:

• Sunnyvale, CA: ​ $126,305 ​
• Santa Cruz, CA: ​ $125,603 ​
• Santa Rosa, CA: ​ $122,228 ​
• Williston, ND: ​ $120,045 ​
• Manhattan, NY: ​ $119,730 ​
• Barnstable Town, MA: ​ $119,030 ​
• Cambridge, MA: ​ $118,392 ​
• Arlington, VA: ​ $117,582 ​
• Dickinson, ND: ​ $116,863 ​
• Ketchikan, AK: ​ $116,428 ​

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.

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• Salary: Psychologist PhD Salary in the United States
• NerdWallet: Cost of Living Calculator

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Psychologist - Ph.D. Salary in Washington

How much does a Psychologist - Ph.D. make in Washington? The average Psychologist - Ph.D. salary in Washington is $125,694 as of July 29, 2024, but the range typically falls between $114,274 and $139,684 . Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

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Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

Leadership: Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.

CPA: A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals.

Psychological Evaluations: A psychological evaluation may consist of a series of formal or structured psychological or neuropsychological tests as well as clinical interviews designed to identify and describe emotional, behavioral, or learning problems.

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Job Description for Psychologist - Ph.D.

Psychologist - Ph.D. evaluates patients for mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Diagnoses disorders, including nature and extent, and determines the appropriate course of treatment for the patient. Being a Psychologist - Ph.D. uses talk therapy to treat patient illness or distress, cannot prescribe medication. Requires a PhD in clinical psychology. Additionally, Psychologist - Ph.D. requires a valid state license to practice. Typically reports to a medical director. The Psychologist - Ph.D. works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. To be a Psychologist - Ph.D. typically requires 10+ years of related experience. (Copyright 2024 Salary.com)... View full job description

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• Clinical Psychologist Harvest Healthcare LLC - Greenwich, CT Harvest Healthcare is Connecticut's leading behavioral health services consultant in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. If you are ... - 1 Month Ago
• Clinical Psychologist University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics - Iowa City, IA The Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplant is looking to hire a part time Clinical Psychologist. ... - 3 Months Ago
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• Clinical Psychologist PDHRA Jackson Healthcare Government Services - Groton, CT Clinical Psychologist (Clinical Area: PDHRA, 1 FTE, Groton, CT.)Minimum Qualifications. Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)•E... - 1 Month Ago

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About Washington     Washington (/ˈwɒʃɪŋtən/), officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Washington is the north.... More

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Avg. Salary $69k — $147k

Avg. Salary $57k — $181k

Avg. Salary $60k — $128k

Years of Experience

Gender breakdown for doctor of philosophy (phd), psychology, job satisfaction, popular companies for doctor of philosophy (phd), psychology degree s.

Pay ranges for people with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Psychology degree by employer.

• Best Online Programs
• Best Campus Programs
• Behavior Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling & Mental Health
• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• General Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Industrial/Organizational
• Marriage Family Therapy
• Social Psychology
• Social Work
• Educational Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Family Psychologists
• Marriage Family Therapist
• School Psychologist
• Social Psychologist
• School Counselors
• Neuropsychologist
• I/O Psychologist
• Sports Psychologist
• Addiction Counselor
• Mental Health Psychologist
• Counseling Psychologist
• Occupational Psychologist
• Child Psychiatrist
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia
• PsyD vs PhD

Salary Outlook Ph.D in Counseling Psychology

In most areas of study, a doctoral degree is the highest possible level of achievement in academics. For those studying counseling psychology, this could mean getting a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree, or it could mean earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

While the degrees generally have different basic philosophies, very often, the end result is the same, and this generally is true for those pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. In comparison to other types of psychology degrees, counseling psychology is heavily focused on the practice of counseling others to help them cope with day-to-day struggles.

What are the degree options for counseling psychology students and what types of salaries can they expect to earn at the professional level?

Counseling Psychology Doctorate Options

The right degree option can make all the difference. That’s because, while doctoral programs in psychology can be quite similar between Ph.D. and Psy.D. tracks, the basic design of the coursework and academic focus are usually different in a few key ways.

Generally, people who pursue a Ph.D. in a field of psychology, including counseling psychology, do so because they want to engage in detailed study and academic research into the field. On the other hand, those who are considering a Psy.D. degree may be more inclined to careers in psychology where they practice counseling psychology one-on-one with patients or clients. Of course, this is not a hard-and-fast rule, and it’s definitely true that qualified people with either type of degree can cross over and have successful careers with a variety of daily tasks.

SEE ALSO: 5+ Online PhD in Counseling Psychology Programs

Often, the choice comes down to which programs are available where the student lives, and Ph.D. programs, in general, are slightly more common than Psy.D. degree tracks, though this is changing as the Psy.D. gains credibility in the industry.

Still, for students who want to have the broadest possible career options, a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology may help provide that.

Counseling Psychology PhD Career Tracks

With a Ph.D., a wide range of possible career paths become available, and for those studying counseling psychology, that’s definitely the case. While a career as a counseling psychologist , perhaps the most obvious related job title, is certainly possible, it’s far from the only possible occupation an individual could pursue after earning their Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.

SEE ALSO: How to Become a Counseling Psychologist

Let’s take a look at just a few of the possibilities:

• Psychology Professor
• School Counselor
• Career Counselor
• Research Director
• Mental Health Counselor
• Marriage and Family Therapist
• Substance Abuse Counselor

Counseling psychology programs tend to focus more heavily on helping individuals who don’t have major psychiatric or behavioral health disorders, and so career tracks will lean more heavily in that direction when it comes to jobs with a clinical component.

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology Salary Overview

Statistically speaking, the mere presence of a Ph.D. greatly boosts a person’s potential earnings. In fact, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, the average Ph.D. graduate makes about double their high school graduate counterparts.

SEE ALSO: Clinical vs. Counseling Psychology Degree Differences

To understand the income potential for Ph.D. graduates in the counseling psychology field, we calculated an average annual income rate for a total of five jobs for which national data is available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . Here’s a look at the counseling psychology jobs we studied:

• School and Career Counselor
• College Professor

California has the highest average annual salary across the five counseling psychology Ph.D. jobs we examined, followed closely by New Jersey. D.C., New York and Oregon round out the top five. The average annual income rate in West Virginia was by far the lowest.

Average annual counseling psychology Ph.D. salary by state

Counseling psychologists have the highest annual average salary rate across the five jobs, with an average amount of about $81,000. Considering all five jobs, the overall average is just under $80,000, while salary rates for Counselors, which includes any counselors not classified elsewhere, are the lowest at just over $48,000.

Average annual U.S. salary, selected counseling psychology Ph.D. jobs

The next several years are expected to bring a veritable boom in counseling psychology employment. According to U.S. Department of Labor data , the five counseling jobs we studied will see their ranks expand by about 33% in Utah, the highest rate in the country. Four other states are expected to see counseling psychology jobs grow by more than one-quarter — New York, Georgia, Nevada and Colorado. Alaska’s 3.8% growth rate projection is the lowest.

Average projected growth in counseling psychology PhD job openings by state, 2018-2028

The five selected jobs should see average growth of just under 14% through 2028, with openings for Marriage and Family Therapists rising at the quickest rate (22.4%) and jobs for School and Career Counselors climbing at the slowest rate (8.4%).

Average U.S. projected growth in counseling psychology Ph.D. job openings, 2018-2028

As Americans increasingly accept the need to seek help coping with the stresses of their lives and relationships, it’s more and more likely that they’ll turn to professional counselors for help. For psychology students weighing their doctoral options, earning a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology can open doors, both professionally and personally.

Academic careers: What do psychology faculty earn?

Psychology faculty salaries lag behind those of their peers in other science fields, finds an APA report

By Lea Winerman

September 2018, Vol 49, No. 8

Print version: page 74

• Teaching Psychology as a Subject

Tenured psychology professors in the United States earned a median salary of $88,977 during the 2017–18 school year, according to the most recent psychology faculty salary report from APA's Center for Workforce Studies (CWS).

The report is based on data from a College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) survey of 238,698 full-time faculty at 696 U.S. colleges and universities.

Tenure-track associate professors earned $71,586, tenure-track assistant professors earned $62,031 and tenure-track instructors earned $58,509. Among non-tenure-track full-time faculty, salary medians ranged from $75,940 for professors to $50,652 for instructors.

That's less than professors in most other STEM and social science disciplines, and the numbers haven't budged much in recent years, according to lead author Peggy Christidis, PhD, a senior research officer in the CWS. "The report provides a valuable and comprehensive resource for individuals in a myriad of work settings and career stages," says Jim Diaz-Granados, PhD, executive director of APA's Education Directorate.

This year's psychology faculty salary report found that:

• Salaries mostly stayed put. Median salaries did not increase much between 2016–17 and 2017–18. In fact, salaries didn't even keep up with inflation in some categories. For example, faculty at baccalaureate institutions that award only undergraduate degrees saw inflation-adjusted pay decreases, on average, of between 2 percent and 3.7 percent depending on their academic rank.
• Geography matters. Faculty in the Pacific region (Alaska, California, Hawai'i, Oregon and Washington) earned the highest median salaries. Faculty in the West South Central region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas) and West North Central region (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) earned the least (see map).
• Collective bargaining gets results. Tenured and tenure-track faculty who work at public institutions with collective bargaining units, or unions, earned almost 9 percent more on average than those at public institutions without collective bargaining units. The difference was even greater for faculty without tenure: Non-tenured faculty earned almost 15 percent more at schools with unions.
• Private independent schools pay more. Across all academic ranks, private independent colleges and universities paid higher salaries than public colleges and universities or private religious ones. For example, tenured professors at private independent institutions earned a median salary of $98,637. Those at public institutions earned $88,906 and those at private religious ones earned $84,827.
• On average, psychology faculty earn less than their peers in other social science and STEM fields. Psychology faculty generally earned less than faculty in other social sciences (a group that includes political science, economics, sociology, anthropology and geography). Depending on their type of institution and academic rank, psychology faculty earned between 0.3 and 11.1 percent less than their social sciences peers. Psychology faculty also earned less on average than faculty in other STEM fields such as engineering, computer science, biological and biomedical sciences, and physical sciences, but more than professors of education.
• For women and minorities, there has been progress in some areas but not others. During the 2017–18 school year there were more women than men among psychology faculty early on the career ladder—62 percent of tenured/tenure-track assistant professors and 55 percent of associate professors were female. However, men still outnumbered women 56 to 44 percent among full professors. At all academic ranks, tenured/tenure-track women earned just slightly less than men. Female full professors earned a median of $88,848 compared with $90,934 for men, female associate professors earned $70,908 compared with $73,188 for men and female assistant professors earned $62,004 compared with $62,671 for men.

Meanwhile, racial- and ethnic-minority faculty remained underrepresented in psychology departments, particularly higher on the career ladder. Just 17 percent of tenured/tenure-track associate professors and 11 percent of full professors were racial or ethnic minorities, even though these groups make up almost 40 percent of the U.S. population. However, racial- and ethnic-minority faculty earned slightly more on average than their white peers—between 4 and 8 percent more depending on academic rank. 

To read the full report , go to www.apa.org/workforce/publications/18-faculty-salary .

By the numbers

Median salary of a tenured psychology full professor at U.S. doctoral universities

Median salary of a tenured psychology full professor at U.S. baccalaureate colleges

Median salary of a new tenure-track assistant psychology professor at U.S. doctoral universities

Median salary of a new tenure-track assistant psychology professor at U.S. baccalaureate colleges

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