Key takeaways
- According to the BLS, the average annual pay for psychologists in 2024 is $94,310 per year
- The psychology job market is projected to grow by 6% from 2024 to 2034
- Top paying industry for psychologist salary is government agencies
- States with the highest number of psychology employment are:
- Texas
- California
- Florida
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- New York
- Maryland
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Massachusetts
- Different jobs for psychologists include the following:
- Market Research Analysts
- Psychologist
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Postsecondary Teachers
- School and Career Counselors and Advisors
- Social Workers
- Sociologists
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Survey Researchers
- I-O Psychologist
- UX Researcher
- Training and Development Specialists
Find complete details and psychologist salary information specified state-by-state, as well as national averages, market trends, and much more.
Psychologist’s salary in the US — What you need to know
Let’s dig deep into the average salaries and pay scale specific by state for psychologists.
Average psychologist’s salary in the US
According to the BLS, the average annual pay for psychologists is:
| 2024 Median Pay | $94,310 per year
$45.34 per hour |
| Job growth percentage from 2024 to 2034 | 6% (Faster than average) |
In addition to this, BLS also reports the average pay for other psychology-related jobs, including:
| Industrial-organizational psychologists | $109,840 per year |
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $95,830 per year |
| School psychologists | $86,930 per year |
The top industries for psychologists with the highest pay are:
|
Industry |
Average annual pay |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | $126,990 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | $96,960 |
| Hospitals: state, local, and private | $96,060 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | $85,920.00 |
Note: Data is as of February 2026.
List of psychologist salary by state
Here is the state-by-state information regarding psychologist’s salary in the USA:
|
State |
Annual salary |
| Alabama | $121,511 |
| Alaska | $155,475 |
| Arizona | $130,194 |
| Arkansas | $113,753 |
| California | $133,709 |
| Colorado | $131,404 |
| Connecticut | $133,469 |
| Delaware | $112,005 |
| District of Columbia | $146,910 |
| Florida | $109,487 |
| Georgia | $109,027 |
| Hawaii | $144,087 |
| Idaho | $126,393 |
| Illinois | $138,673.00 |
| Indiana | $123,227 |
| Iowa | $135,829 |
| Kansas | $129,594 |
| Kentucky | $117,119 |
| Louisiana | $104,392 |
| Maine | $138,380 |
| Maryland | $125,597 |
| Massachusetts | $141,196 |
| Michigan | $119,891 |
| Minnesota | $127,534 |
| Mississippi | $130,977 |
| Missouri | $122,633 |
| Montana | $129,116 |
| Nebraska | $132,822 |
| Nevada | 140,493 |
| New Hampshire | $126,269 |
| New Jersey | $131,346 |
| New Mexico | $125,211 |
| New York | $146,639 |
| North Carolina | $113,331 |
| North Dakota | $138,378 |
| Ohio | $121,546 |
| Oklahoma | $118,169 |
| Oregon | $138,363 |
| Pennsylvania | $124,224 |
| Rhode Island | $131,310 |
| South Carolina | $116,498 |
| South Dakota | $122,823 |
| Tennessee | $122,305 |
| Texas | $118,152 |
| Utah | $119,278 |
| Vermont | $125,591 |
| Virginia | $126,808 |
| Washington | $143,894 |
| West Virginia | $116,985 |
| Wisconsin | $126,964 |
| Wyoming | $140,627 |
Note: Data is as of February 2026. (Source)
Factors affecting a psychologist’s salaries
According to various reports, the average pay for a psychologist in the uSA varies anywhere between $90,000 to $150,000 per year. However, other than the varying salary range, there are numerous factors to consider. In this section, here is a list of factors that affect the average psychologist salary, such as:
Educational credentials
Education is one of the most important determinants of a psychologist’s salary in the U.S. It is common knowledge that a psychology career path is intensely dependent upon educational qualifications, credentials, and degrees.
More importantly, higher-level degrees such as masters and doctoral degrees are crucial for licensed clinical psychologists. Moreover, a high-level degree is held in high regard by employers, often leading to better pay scales.
Bachelor’s degree holders who work in psychology-related roles, such as a research assistant, behavioral technician, or human resources specialist, typically earn modest salaries, often in the $40,000 to $65,000 range. These roles do not require a lot of technical experience or independent working.
Furthermore, masters degree holders get much better paying opportunities, such as roles in counseling, school psychology, or organizational behavior. For master’s degree holders, the earning range is from $70,000 to $110,000.
Lastly, doctoral degree holders are the ultimate standards for the top-paying psychology jobs. Most advanced degree holder psychologists are also licensed professionals, often working as independent counselors, running private practices, or so on. Their annual earnings can start easily from $120,000.
Specialization track
Many people don’t know this, but some psychology specializations simply pay more than the rest. Some areas of focus are higher in demand, while others are much more commanding and require a lot of rigor. As a result, the pay scale also varies depending on the complexity of the specialization. Some common specializations and their estimates are:
|
Specialization |
Average annual pay |
| Clinical Psychologist | $126,114 |
| Counseling Psychologist | $108,685 |
| Industrial Organizational Psychologist | $120,524 |
| Forensic Psychologist | $95,647 |
| Neuropsychologist | $131,948 |
| Social Psychologist | $79,348 |
Note: Data is as of February 2026.
Geographic location
Where a psychologist works and earns, in terms of the geographic location, significantly impacts the average pay scale. Factors like cost of living, commute, state-specific economic conditions, and market demand affect the pay scale.
According to the BLS, the top 10 states with the highest employment opportunities for psychologists are:
|
State |
Employment |
| Texas | 2,160 |
| California | 1,780 |
| Florida | 1,120 |
| Illinois | 960 |
| Wisconsin | 910 |
| New York | 870 |
| Maryland | 710 |
| Oregon | 630 |
| Pennsylvania | 520 |
| Massachusetts | 510 |
Note: Data is as of February 2026.
According to past trends, urban areas are the best paying geographic locations for psychologists. Urban areas not only bring higher pay but also more job openings across settings — hospitals, private clinics, corporations, and universities — which can propel career growth faster than in smaller communities.
In addition to this, urban areas are also densely populated, leading to a much higher demand for professional mental health services. Furthermore, urban areas are also economic hubs for large corporations, leading to higher demand and even higher pay scales for specialized professionals.
Employer type & work settings
Different types of employers, across different industries, have varying budget for psychologist salaries. There are various types of work settings, such as:
| Private practices |
|
| Hospitals and clinics |
|
| Research institutions |
|
| Schools |
|
Experience and personal capabilities
In psychology, experience and personal capabilities differentiate an entry-level professional from an advanced-level professional. Personal capabilities such as communication skills, reputation, networking, negotiation ability, and continuing education contribute to earning power. A psychologist known for excellence in their specialty or for leadership in professional communities can command higher salaries and consulting fees.
Moreover, different experience levels also lead to varying pay, such as $50,000 annual salary for entry-level professionals, and over $120,000 annual salary for advanced-level professionals.
Other influencing factors
Beyond the aforementioned factors, there are also additional influencing factors such as:
- Changing market trends, especially an increasing popularity of mental health services in various aspects of life, including workplaces and corporations
- Expandingthe reach of psychologists and their professional services through telehealth platforms
- Specialized technical or analytical skills, such as proficiency with psychological assessment tools or leadership in organizational consulting, can add 5–10% or more to salary potential
- Greater acceptance of mental health considerations has led to large corporations increasing their investments towards this cause
Types of psychology jobs and salary information
Among the many factors that influence an average psychologist salary, the types of jobs also matter a lot. So, here is a list of popular and common psychology jobs with their average annual salaries:
|
Psychology jobs |
Annual salary |
| Market Research Analysts | $76,950 |
| Psychologist | $94,310 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $63,780.00 |
| Postsecondary Teachers | $83,980.00 |
| School and Career Counselors and Advisors | $65,140.00 |
| Social Workers | $61,330 |
| Sociologists | $101,690 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,190 |
| Survey Researchers | $63,380 |
| I-O Psychologist | $154,380 |
| UX Researcher | $113,102 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $65,850 |
Note: Data is as of February 2026.
Top psychology schools
A complete list of the top psychology schools and programs that can help you kickstart a professional career in psychology.
|
College and Program Name |
Tuition Cost |
| Stanford University – Psychology (BA) | $22,577 per quarter (source) |
| Harvard University – Undergraduate psychology program | $65,536 (source) |
| Princeton University – Psychology major | $68,140 (source) |
| Purdue Global — Bachelor’s in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) | $13,356 per academic year (Source) |
| Arizona State University – Psychology, BS | $17,434 per year (source)
$35,167 per year (source) |
| Capella University — Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis | $19,460 for 24 months (Source) |
| University of California, Irvine – Psychology BS | $13,602.00 per academic year (source) |
| Arcadia University — Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | In-state: $49,980 annually (source)
Out-of-state: $49,980 annually (source) |
| University of Nevada, Reno — B.S. in Psychology (Behavior Analysis) | $8,655 per academic year (source) |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — Undergrad Psychology | In-state: $18,346 (source) Out-of-state: $63,962
(source) |
| University of California, Berkeley — Psychology Department at Berkeley | In-state: $17,478 (source) Out-of-state: $55,080 (source) |
Note: Data is as of February 2026.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the state-wise psychologist salary varies significantly. This piece of information is essential for you to make the right career choices, such as which state to work in, where to study, and so on. You can also get expert degree advice to get reliable academic guidance. You can also explore top psychology colleges by state.
Frequently asked questions
How many years does it take to become a psychologist?
Becoming a licensed psychologist in the United States can take between 8 and 12 years, sometimes more, depending on factors like pace of study and accessibility to relevant jobs and work experience. Various types of educational credentials are required, including:
- Bachelor’s degree: approximately 4 years
- Master’s degree: 2–3 years
- Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD): 4 to 8 years
- Supervised clinical experience & licensure: 1 to 2 years
What is the average clinical psychologist’s salary in the USA?
The average salary for a clinical psychologist in the U.S. generally falls between $95,000 and $105,000 per year, with wide variation based on experience, location, and work setting. Moreover, the average clinical psychologist’s salary depends on the level of career, including:
- Early-career: $70,000–$85,000
- Mid-career professionals: $100,000–$120,000+
- Private practice owners and specialists can exceed $130,000–$150,000
Overall, according to national labor data, clinical psychology remains one of the most stable and in-demand psychology careers.
What are the five most important skills to become a psychologist?
Successful psychologists combine scientific knowledge with strong interpersonal abilities. So, the five most important skills include:
- Analytical and critical thinking that helps conduct and interpret research, understand and assess behaviors, and make important decisions
- Communication skills including verbal and written in order to efficiently collaborate with other professionals such as teachers, parents, and healthcare professionals
- Emotional intelligence with empathy that helps understand and regulate client behaviors and emotional episodes
- Ethics and professionalism that enable an individual to align with psychology principles and navigate boundaries like confidentiality
- Research skills especially for specialization tracks such as clinical, academic, and neuropsychology roles
How much do psychologists make in NYC?
In NYC, ZipRecruiter reports the average annual salary to be $146,639, while the national average for psychologists is $129,957. NYC is one of the top-paying cities for psychologists as well as most other professions. One of the biggest reasons behind the higher psychologist salary is that the city has a much higher cost of living, with a dense population that automatically makes the profession not only high in demand but also a greater consumer base.