Psychologist Salary Guide & Comparison Tool
How much can you earn in the psychology field? Compare average pay rates and get personalized salary insights with our free psychology salary calculator.
Psychology Salary Calculator
Use the calculator below to explore average U.S. salaries by degree level, career field, and specialization. Enter your current salary to get personalized comparison insights.
Salary Insights for Psychology and Counseling Careers
Average Salaries for Popular Roles
Some of the most popular psychology careers include substance use and mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and clinical and counseling psychologists. These professionals earn an annual average salary of $59,190, $63,780, and $106,600, respectively, according to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Highest-Paying Psychology Careers
The highest-paying psychology careers are the BLS’ “psychologists, all other” job category, which includes developmental psychologists, forensic psychologists, and sports psychologists, which earn an annual average salary of $117,580. Industrial-organizational psychologist, earn the second-highest annual average salary of $109,840.
Psychology Careers by Education Level
Psychology bachelor’s degree holders can pursue entry-level jobs, including case manager or behavior technician. In some jurisdictions, you can pursue a career in addiction counseling with an undergraduate degree. However, you typically need a master’s degree to become a licensed mental health counselor and a doctoral degree to become a licensed psychologist. School psychologists require a master’s in school psychology.
Job Outlook for Psychology and Counseling Careers
Psychology and counseling professionals enjoy a favorable job outlook in the U.S., driven by an increasing number of Americans seeking support for behavioral, mental health, and substance use disorders.
The BLS projects the following job growth rates between 2024-2034:
- Mental health and substance use social workers: +6%
- Clinical and counseling psychologists: +6%
- Marriage and family therapists: +13%
- Substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: +17%
The BLS anticipates slower job growth for psychology, counseling, and social work occupations with a less clinical focus:
- School psychologists: +6%
- School and career counselors: +4%
- Child, family, and school social workers: +5%
- Industrial-organizational psychologists: +6%
Factors That Affect Salaries in Psychology and Counseling
Salaries vary significantly across the psychology, counseling, and social work fields. Even professionals with advanced degrees in similar disciplines can earn dramatically different incomes. Outside of degree level, the following factors can affect your earning potential:
- 1Years of Experience
It’s not uncommon for professionals with more experience to earn higher paychecks than recent graduates and those newer to the workforce. Experience often comes with enhanced skills, broader knowledge, and valuable perspective. Higher pay can also help companies retain their most experienced employees.
- 2Location
How much you earn can correlate directly to where you live. Job opportunities in higher-cost-of-living areas, like major metropolitan areas, typically offer higher salaries than jobs in more rural locations. It generally costs more to maintain the same standard of living in a big city than in a small town, or in a high-tax state than in a low-tax state.
- 3Work Setting
Though they may employ professionals with similar backgrounds, not all employers can offer the same compensation rates. To illustrate this difference, consider clinical social workers employed by major hospital networks vs. small, rural hospitals; substance use counselors in private practice vs. nonprofit work; or psychologists working in research and consulting firms vs. public school systems with tight budgets.
- 4Specialization
Specializing can increase your salary potential. Clients may be willing to pay more to see a counselor or therapist who specializes in their particular area of concern, such as trauma or family dynamics, rather than a generalist practitioner. In-demand psychology specializations, like forensic psychology, can also have higher salary potential as the employment pool is limited.
- 5Licensure and Certification
Most psychologists, counselors, and social workers require occupational licensure to practice. This limits the applicant pool for certain jobs, leading to higher salaries than those offered to non-licensed professionals in the mental health field. More advanced levels of licensure (e.g., LMSW vs. LCSW) often correlate with higher salaries, while optional certifications can make you more attractive to employers.
Entry-Level Jobs with a Psychology Bachelor’s Degree
Although most careers in clinical psychology and counseling require an advanced degree and state licensure, a bachelor’s in psychology can prepare you for entry-level careers in various fields.
Bachelor’s degree holders can leverage their knowledge of psychology and behavior into careers such as human resource specialists, social or community services managers, and market research analysts. According to the BLS, average annual salaries for these careers are $79,730, $86,100, and $86,480, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Psychology can be an excellent career choice, especially if you are willing and able to complete 8-12 years of extensive education requirements. Licensed psychologists typically need a doctoral degree, earning a median salary of $94,310, according to the BLS. Many popular psychology careers are also accessible with a master’s in psychology, counseling, or social work.
