Psychologists in the US earn $112,750 on average — but pay varies significantly by specialty, degree level, and setting.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for clinical and counseling psychologists, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $55,170 | $26.52 |
| 25th | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| 50th (median) | $100,580 | $48.36 |
| 75th | $135,200 | $65.00 |
| 90th | $180,960 | $87.00 |
| Average (mean) | $112,750 | $54.21 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Average Psychologist Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $112,750 |
| Median salary | $100,580 |
| Entry level (PhD) | $75,000-$95,000 |
| Experienced | $100,000-$130,000 |
| Top 10% | $168,000+ |
| Hourly rate | $51.16 |
Psychologist Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary | Degree Required |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational | $147,420 | PhD preferred |
| Neuropsychologist | $134,000 | PhD + specialization |
| Forensic Psychologist | $110,000 | PhD |
| Clinical Psychologist | $102,000 | PsyD or PhD |
| Counseling Psychologist | $98,000 | PhD |
| School Psychologist | $87,000 | EdS or PhD |
| Research Psychologist | $95,000 | PhD |
Psychologist vs. Related Careers
| Career | Average Salary | Degree Required |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist (MD) | $269,940 | MD + residency |
| Industrial-Org Psychologist | $147,420 | PhD preferred |
| Clinical Psychologist | $102,000 | PsyD/PhD |
| School Psychologist | $87,000 | EdS/PhD |
| Mental Health Counselor | $51,510 | Master’s |
| Social Worker (Clinical) | $60,840 | MSW |
| Marriage/Family Therapist | $56,570 | Master’s |
Doctoral degrees are required for “psychologist” title in most states.
Psychologist Salary by Setting
| Work Setting | Average Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private practice | $100,000-$180,000 | Self-employed |
| Hospitals | $100,000-$130,000 | Benefits |
| Corporate (I-O) | $120,000-$200,000 | Business focus |
| VA/Government | $90,000-$130,000 | Excellent benefits |
| Universities | $80,000-$120,000 | Research/teaching |
| Schools (K-12) | $75,000-$95,000 | School year schedule |
| Community mental health | $65,000-$90,000 | Mission-driven |
Psychologist Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $137,530 | $78,940 | $115,240 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $131,590 | $57,180 | $127,090 |
| 3 | Oregon | $129,590 | $93,600 | $134,350 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $127,690 | $70,400 | $107,000 |
| 5 | Colorado | $126,480 | $46,870 | $113,290 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $124,560 | $60,250 | $115,180 |
| 7 | New York | $124,380 | $64,980 | $114,400 |
| 8 | California | $123,570 | $62,900 | $116,000 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $122,330 | $54,080 | $124,800 |
| 10 | Alaska | $122,210 | $42,360 | $124,270 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $121,440 | $76,360 | $113,360 |
| 12 | Florida | $118,480 | $55,480 | $85,610 |
| 13 | Hawaii | $117,510 | $86,770 | $117,860 |
| 14 | Arizona | $115,230 | $61,890 | $119,010 |
| 15 | Delaware | $114,760 | $66,150 | $113,050 |
| 16 | Nevada | $114,680 | $77,700 | $102,650 |
| 17 | Idaho | $114,380 | $60,720 | $97,790 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $110,480 | $62,290 | $107,030 |
| 19 | Alabama | $110,120 | $57,530 | $90,800 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $109,760 | $49,220 | $99,140 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $109,570 | $69,520 | $116,130 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $108,710 | $61,340 | $91,870 |
| 23 | Montana | $106,980 | $49,800 | $68,160 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $106,270 | $52,890 | $92,130 |
| 25 | Rhode Island | $104,670 | $54,500 | $107,490 |
| 26 | Utah | $104,390 | $48,070 | $99,170 |
| 27 | Iowa | $104,130 | $64,200 | $91,690 |
| 28 | Ohio | $103,950 | $39,640 | $101,190 |
| 29 | Georgia | $102,950 | $45,310 | $96,060 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $102,760 | $64,200 | $89,890 |
| 31 | Vermont | $99,780 | $58,070 | $83,270 |
| 32 | Missouri | $99,190 | $45,770 | $99,410 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $99,180 | $45,370 | $94,540 |
| 34 | Virginia | $98,460 | $41,990 | $86,520 |
| 35 | New Hampshire | $98,030 | $44,550 | $64,270 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $97,850 | $62,150 | $79,950 |
| 37 | Illinois | $95,590 | $36,580 | $83,750 |
| 38 | Michigan | $95,160 | $61,290 | $84,730 |
| 39 | Texas | $92,130 | $59,490 | $83,660 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $91,790 | $59,600 | $92,700 |
| 41 | Indiana | $91,480 | $56,200 | $84,990 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $90,120 | $44,100 | $77,040 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $88,560 | $63,630 | $80,130 |
| 44 | Kansas | $85,550 | $47,620 | $76,690 |
| 45 | Tennessee | $84,350 | $50,520 | $76,820 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $83,860 | $48,270 | $76,000 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $82,100 | $58,090 | $77,520 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $79,510 | $46,500 | $71,330 |
| — | National | $112,750 | $55,170 | $100,580 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Private Practice Income
Self-employed psychologists have variable income:
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Session rate | $150-$300/session |
| Sessions per week | 20-30 typical |
| Gross revenue | $150,000-$400,000 |
| Overhead (30-50%) | $50,000-$150,000 |
| Net income | $100,000-$250,000 |
Insurance reimbursement is usually lower than private-pay rates.
Education Path and Cost
| Stage | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | 4 years | $40,000-$160,000 |
| Master’s (optional) | 2 years | $30,000-$80,000 |
| PhD/PsyD | 5-7 years | $50,000-$250,000 |
| Internship | 1 year | Low/stipend |
| Post-doc (some states) | 1-2 years | $45,000-$60,000 |
| Total time | 10-14 years | — |
| Average debt | — | $120,000-$180,000 |
PsyD programs are typically more expensive than PhD programs.
PhD vs. PsyD
| Factor | PhD | PsyD |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Research + clinical | Clinical practice |
| Duration | 5-7 years | 4-6 years |
| Funding | Often funded | Usually not funded |
| Cost | $0-$80,000 | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Acceptance rate | 5-15% | 40-60% |
| Career focus | Academia, research | Practice |
Psychologist Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Income Tax | Social Security + Medicare | Take-Home Before State Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $85,000 | $9,870 | $6,502 | $68,628 | $5,719 |
| $112,750 | $15,975 | $8,625 | $88,150 | $7,346 |
| $130,000 | $19,934 | $9,945 | $100,121 | $8,343 |
| $180,000 | $31,934 | $13,770 | $134,296 | $11,191 |
2026 federal income tax for a single filer taking the standard deduction ($16,100), plus Social Security and Medicare. Not included: state and local income tax, retirement contributions and other pre-tax deductions. For your own situation, use the take-home pay calculator.
School Psychologist Salary
School psychologists have a distinct career path:
| Experience | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry level | $55,000-$70,000 |
| Mid-career | $75,000-$90,000 |
| Experienced | $85,000-$105,000 |
| Supervisor | $100,000-$125,000 |
Plus teacher-like benefits: summers off, pension, job security.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Highest-paying psychology specialty:
| Role | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| I-O Consultant | $100,000-$200,000 |
| HR Director (I-O background) | $120,000-$200,000 |
| Chief People Officer | $200,000-$400,000 |
| I-O Researcher | $90,000-$150,000 |
I-O psychologists work in corporate settings on hiring, training, and organizational effectiveness.
Job Outlook
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Job growth (2025-2035) | 11.7% |
| Annual openings | ~13,700 |
| Competition | High for funded PhD programs |
| Demand drivers | Mental health awareness |
Mental health awareness and destigmatization are driving demand.
Is Psychology a Good Career?
Pros:
- Meaningful, helping work
- Diverse specializations
- Growing demand
- Private practice independence
- Flexible scheduling
Cons:
- Long education (10+ years)
- High debt (PsyD especially)
- Licensure requirements
- Emotional demands
- Master’s-level pay is lower
Bottom Line
Psychologists earn $106,420 average, with I-O psychologists earning $147,420 and private practice owners earning up to $200,000+. The career requires 10-14 years of education and significant investment. Industrial-organizational and clinical specialties offer the best financial returns. Those seeking shorter paths to mental health careers should consider master’s-level options like counseling or social work.
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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