How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make?
The median clinical and counseling psychologist in the United States earns $100,580 per year, about $48.36 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all clinical and counseling psychologists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-3033.
Clinical and counseling psychologist salary range
Pay for clinical and counseling psychologists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $55,170 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $180,960. The average (mean) wage of $112,750 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $55,170 | $26.53 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $73,210 | $35.20 | |
| Median (50th) | $100,580 | $48.36 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $135,200 | $65.00 | |
| 90th percentile | $180,960 | $87.00 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for clinical and counseling psychologists (SOC 19-3033), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Clinical and counseling psychologist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Clinical and counseling psychologists earn the most in Oregon at $134,350 a year, and the least in New Hampshire at $64,270. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $134,350 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $127,090 | 2,700 |
| New Mexico | $124,800 | N/A |
| Alaska | $124,270 | 40 |
| Arizona | $119,010 | 730 |
| Hawaii | $117,860 | 250 |
| North Dakota | $116,130 | 170 |
| California | $116,000 | 12,840 |
| Washington | $115,240 | 1,270 |
| Massachusetts | $115,180 | 2,860 |
| New York | $114,400 | 8,420 |
| Wisconsin | $113,360 | 1,150 |
| Colorado | $113,290 | 1,170 |
| Delaware | $113,050 | 280 |
| Rhode Island | $107,490 | 420 |
| Minnesota | $107,030 | 1,290 |
| District of Columbia | $107,000 | 220 |
| Nevada | $102,650 | 680 |
| Ohio | $101,190 | 2,080 |
| Missouri | $99,410 | 840 |
| Utah | $99,170 | 1,020 |
| Kentucky | $99,140 | 710 |
| Idaho | $97,790 | 300 |
| Georgia | $96,060 | 1,120 |
| Nebraska | $94,540 | 770 |
| South Carolina | $92,700 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $92,130 | 2,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,870 | 3,140 |
| Iowa | $91,690 | 440 |
| Alabama | $90,800 | 260 |
| Wyoming | $89,890 | 50 |
| Virginia | $86,520 | 2,140 |
| Florida | $85,610 | 3,040 |
| Indiana | $84,990 | 1,850 |
| Michigan | $84,730 | 2,170 |
| Illinois | $83,750 | 5,810 |
| Texas | $83,660 | 3,640 |
| Vermont | $83,270 | 190 |
| South Dakota | $80,130 | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $79,950 | 950 |
| Arkansas | $77,520 | 370 |
| West Virginia | $77,040 | 920 |
| Tennessee | $76,820 | 1,180 |
| Kansas | $76,690 | 400 |
| Mississippi | $76,000 | 210 |
| Louisiana | $71,330 | 320 |
| Montana | $68,160 | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $64,270 | 330 |
State median wages for clinical and counseling psychologists (SOC 19-3033), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for clinical and counseling psychologists
The BLS projects employment of clinical and counseling psychologists to grow 11.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 81,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 90,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,100 openings a year for clinical and counseling psychologists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a clinical and counseling psychologist
The typical entry-level education for clinical and counseling psychologists is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a clinical and counseling psychologist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oregon, $134,350) and the lowest (New Hampshire, $64,270) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 75,990 people work as clinical and counseling psychologists in the United States. At $100,580 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Clinical and counseling psychologist salary FAQ
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a clinical and counseling psychologist is $48.36. The middle half of clinical and counseling psychologists earn between $35.20 and $65.00 per hour.
What is the highest clinical and counseling psychologist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of clinical and counseling psychologists earn more than $180,960 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make a year?
The median annual salary for a clinical and counseling psychologist is $100,580. The average (mean) wage of $112,750 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a clinical and counseling psychologist a well paid job?
At $100,580 a year, a clinical and counseling psychologist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 75,990 people work as clinical and counseling psychologists in the United States.
Which state pays clinical and counseling psychologists the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for clinical and counseling psychologists at $134,350 a year. New Jersey ($127,090) and New Mexico ($124,800) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a clinical and counseling psychologist a good career?
Employment of clinical and counseling psychologists is projected to grow 11.7% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a clinical and counseling psychologist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for clinical and counseling psychologists as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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