The Best States for Psychologists
- Utah is the top state for psychologists because of strong demand, unmet need, and low cost of living.
- The median salary for clinical and counseling psychologists ranges from $48,780-$130,700 nationwide.
- Rhode Island, Oregon, Ohio, and New Jersey round out the top five states for psychologists.
Psychologists are in high demand across the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinical and counseling psychologist jobs are projected to grow 11% from 2024 to 2034, more than three times the national average job growth.
However, the job outlook for psychologists varies by state. Many states report critical mental health care shortages, which licensed psychologists can help fill. This guide outlines some of the best states for psychologists.
The Top States for Psychologists
Location matters for psychologists. Data on psychologist salaries by state reveals an $82,000 salary gap between the highest-paying and lowest-paying states. Salaries, professional opportunities, and work conditions also vary by state. Similarly, demand for mental health professionals, workforce supply, and cost of living all affect salaries.
How did we determine the best states for psychologists? Our ranking adjusts median earnings for cost of living to provide a more effective comparison between states. We also considered projected employment change as a measure of demand for psychologists from 2020 to 2030. Finally, we looked at the percent of mental health professional need met, which compares the number of mental health professionals to the state’s population.
These metrics inform our list of the best states for psychologists. For additional information on our approach, visit the sources and methodology section at the end of the article.
1. Utah
Utah reports a high need for mental healthcare providers, along with strong job projections for the next decade. Paired with the state’s above-average rate of reported mental illness, Utah ranks as number one for the best state for psychologists.
Recently, Utah’s legislature passed laws to expand the number of mental health providers, including expanding the prescribing authority of psychologists. That should help the state address its above-average unmet need for mental health care, which stands at 35.9% compared to a national average of 28.2%, according to Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) data. And thanks to Utah’s low cost of living, psychologists’ salaries go further in the state.
- Median Annual Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $87,058
- Projected Employment Change from 2020-2030: 24.3%
- Percentage of Mental Health Professional Need Met: 54.3%
2. Rhode Island
Rhode Island ranks in the top ten for psychologist salary by state, with a six-figure median annual salary. Over 24% of Rhode Islanders reported experiencing mental health issues in the past year, demonstrating a strong demand for mental health services.
However, the state’s healthcare professionals only meet around 62% of mental health needs, which indicates that Rhode Island has a provider shortage. In addition, Rhode Island reports an above-average number of children receiving mental health services, which could make it a good state for child psychologists.
Rhode Island recently expanded access to telehealth services for students and passed laws to pay mental health interns to help address the state’s shortage of mental health providers.
- Median Annual Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $107,755
- Projected Employment Change from 2020-2030: 6.7%
- Percentage of Mental Health Professional Need Met: 61.9%
3. Oregon
Oregon is second only to New Jersey in median annual salary. But Oregon’s lower cost of living gives psychologists a boost. The state’s above-average rate of reported mental disorders, which stands at 30.2% compared to a national average of 23.0%, also indicates a strong need for mental health providers. Oregon also projects over 10% growth in jobs for psychologists from 2020-2030.
In Aug. 2025, Oregon’s governor signed laws to address the state’s mental and behavioral health care shortages. The new law will provide scholarships and tuition assistance for students pursuing careers in behavioral health.
- Median Annual Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $123,098
- Projected Employment Change from 2020-2030: 10.6%
- Percentage of Mental Health Professional Need Met: 27.8%
4. Ohio
With its low cost of living and growing salaries, Ohio is one of the best states for psychologists. Ohio has the third-highest median annual salary for psychologists, adjusted for cost of living. In addition, the median annual salary for psychologists increased by nearly 10% over the last year. In May 2023, psychologists reported a median annual salary of $105,680.
According to the state government, more than 2.4 million Ohioans have inadequate access to mental health care. And while the state’s behavioral health workforce has nearly doubled since 2013, need has skyrocketed by 350%, indicating a high demand for psychologists.
- Median Annual Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $114,299
- Projected Employment Change from 2020-2030: 8.2%
- Percentage of Mental Health Professional Need Met: 30.9%
5. New Jersey
New Jersey stands out as the state with the highest median annual salary for psychologists. But high pay is not the only reason New Jersey ranks among the best states for psychologists.
The state’s commitment to mental health services extends to legislative actions. In 2025, the New Jersey Senate considered a bill to make it easier for out-of-state mental healthcare providers and recent graduates to practice in the state.
Expanding access to mental health services will help New Jersey treat the 19.7% of residents who reported mental health issues in the past year, while also keeping New Jersey’s share of unmet need for care below the national average.
- Median Annual Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $119,799
- Projected Employment Change from 2020-2030: 10.5%
- Percentage of Mental Health Professional Need Met: 17.9%
Psychologists’ Salaries by State
The median annual clinical and counseling psychologist salary by state ranges from $130,700 on the high end to $48,780 on the low end. Because location plays a major role in salaries, prospective psychologists should factor in their location when researching earning potential.
Psychologist salaries also vary by metro area. The top-paying areas for clinical and counseling psychologists include the Bay Area in California; La Crosse, Wisconsin; and Salem, Oregon, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Median Annual Salary for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, by State
| Rank⇅ | State⇅ | Median Annual Salary⇅ | Median Annual Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $130,700 | $119,799 |
| 2 | Oregon | $126,830 | $123,098 |
| 3 | California | $126,450 | $113,107 |
| 4 | Washington | $110,480 | $101,465 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $110,000 | $107,755 |
| 6 | Ohio | $105,680 | $114,299 |
| 7 | Nevada | $104,020 | $108,872 |
| 8 | Alaska | $103,530 | $99,130 |
| 9 | Maryland | $102,680 | $96,665 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $101,160 | $102,781 |
Source: BLS
The Complete List of the Best States for Psychologists
Salary only provides one metric to determine the best states for psychologists. In addition to median annual salary, factors like demand also play a role. For example, Utah ranks in the top five on our list in part because of its strong projected employment for psychologists.
If you’re planning to become a psychologist or you’re a psychologist considering relocating to a new state, the following list can help you make an informed decision. Strong demand and a high median salary make many states on this list a good place to work as a psychologist.
Keep in mind that salary and job projections change annually. Additionally, the best state for you might depend on your personal goals, preferences, and professional opportunities.
The Best States for Psychologists
| Rank⇅ | State⇅ | Median Annual Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living⇅ | Projected Employment Change 2020-2030⇅ | Percentage of Mental Health Professional Need Met⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah | $87,058 | 24.3% | 54.3% |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $107,755 | 6.7% | 61.9% |
| 3 | Oregon | $123,098 | 10.6% | 27.8% |
| 4 | Ohio | $114,299 | 8.2% | 30.9% |
| 5 | New Jersey | $119,799 | 10.5% | 17.9% |
| 6 | New York | $91,202 | 13.5% | 51.1% |
| 7 | Georgia | $82,905 | 20.4% | 43.2% |
| 8 | Arizona | $92,875 | 29.3% | 9.1% |
| 9 | California | $113,107 | 8.6% | 24.0% |
| 10 | Washington | $101,465 | 18.5% | 16.9% |
Sources and Methodology
The best states for psychologists were determined using a weighted average ranking of three state-level data points, including the median annual salary for clinical and counseling psychologists adjusted for cost of living, the projected change in employment for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists from 2020-2030, and the percentage of mental health care professional need met. Data was collected on September 4, 2025.
Median annual salary data by state were collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Survey. Data reflects annual earnings as of May 2024. Salaries were adjusted using Regional Price Parity data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Data on the projected increase in employment for psychologists by state were collected from Projections Central. Data reflects the projected change in employment from 2020-2030.
Data on the percentage of mental health care professional needs met were collected from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Data reflects percent of health professional needs met as of December 31, 2024.
Data was normalized by creating an index score where the highest value for each achieved a score of 100. Median annual salaries adjusted for cost of living comprised 60% of the final score. Both projected employment change and the percentage of mental health needs met comprised 20% of the final score.
