Clinical Psychologist Salary in the United States

BLS defines the occupation this way: “Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests.” The median is the middle of its wage distribution: half of the 75,990 clinical and counseling psychologists BLS counted earned more than $100,580 a year and half earned less. The 10th percentile wage, $55,170, is the point below which a tenth earned less, and the 90th percentile wage, $180,960, the point above which a tenth earned more. Percentiles mark places in the pay distribution; they are not experience levels.

The highest state medians for clinical and counseling psychologists in May 2025 are below, each with the number BLS counted. Every state page carries percentiles and school psychologist pay, and 47 of the 49 add metropolitan areas; the psychologist salary page links every state.

The ten metropolitan areas with the most clinical and counseling psychologists in May 2025 each have a published median annual wage. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had the most, about 8,170, at a median of $120,510. A metropolitan area that crosses a state line is reported for the whole area.

BLS lists the five industries with the highest employment of clinical and counseling psychologists in its May 2025 profile. Offices of Other Health Practitioners led with 32,710, well ahead of outpatient care centers with 7,610.

The American Psychological Association puts the route plainly: “In most states, the independent practice of psychology requires a doctoral degree and a state license.” (APA, clinical psychology education and training, read October 14, 2026). BLS adds that “Clinical and counseling psychologists typically need a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree” and “Clinical and counseling psychologists are licensed in every state” (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists). On the difference between them, BLS writes: “Ph.D. programs usually emphasize research that culminates in a dissertation, while Psy.D. programs focus on applying psychological principles to working with clients or patients.” The degree is one requirement among several, and BLS adds: “Most psychologists need supervised experience to qualify for licensure, which may include an internship or postdoctoral training.”

The programs that grant the PsyD are ranked on this site: start with the best APA-accredited PsyD programs, or go straight to PsyD in clinical psychology programs. What the graduates of each school earn is on the PsyD salary page, the job itself is described on the clinical psychologist career page, and the steps to licensure are in how to become a licensed psychologist.

BLS expects employment of clinical and counseling psychologists to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, from 81,300 to 90,900 jobs. Demand for clinical and counseling psychologists is projected to increase as more people turn to psychologists for help with their problems. These job counts come from BLS Employment Projections and include the self-employed, so they are larger than the 75,990 wage and salary jobs the OEWS survey counts.