Career Insights: How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make?
Clinical psychologists work in a variety of settings across a diverse array of specializations. In general, they all have the goal of helping people live happier, more fulfilled lives. Learn more about clinical psychologists, what psychology training involves, and how much they earn below.
What is a clinical psychologist and their job, career, or profession?
A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional who holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology degree (Ph.D.) or a Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D.). Clinical psychology is a broad field with multiple specialties, but jobs in this arena usually involve working directly with people rather than conducting psychology research. Some clinical psychologists may also specialize in working with individuals at specific life stages, such as children, teens, or seniors.
What do clinical psychologists do?
Clinical psychologists may perform a variety of tasks depending on the details of their specific role. Typically, they use psychotherapy and other treatments to support their clients in addressing social, mental, emotional, and/or behavioral issues and reaching their personal goals.
The psychological treatment process usually begins with an evaluation where the psychologist takes stock of where their client is at and what challenges they may be facing, after which they’ll devise a unique treatment plan that’s right for the particular individual.
Differences between clinical and counseling psychologists
Clinical and counseling psychology are occupations with a similar focus but some key differences. Both clinical and counseling psychologists help clients manage psychological and mental health concerns. Clinical psychologists tend to focus on severe disorders, while counseling psychologists help clients work through psychological concerns that are related to common life challenges. Clinical psychologists may, for example, specialize in treating people with ADHD, while counseling psychologists may help clients navigate mental health concerns arising out of their career.
Clinical and counseling psychologists often work in different settings, as well. Counseling psychologists may work in schools, community health centers, or career counseling centers; while clinical psychologists might work in psychology research centers, hospitals, or clinics.
How to become a clinical psychologist or licensed social worker
A clinical psychologist must complete several years of education and training before they can be licensed to practice in their home state. Their psychology training usually begins with a traditional four-year degree. Next, they must choose a specialty or elect to study general clinical psychology, and then they’ll begin an additional four to seven years of training to earn their doctorate. Typically, the licensing authority of the psychologist’s home state needs to review documentation proving that all requirements have been fulfilled before proceeding with psychology licensure. If the individual has met the criteria, they may then be licensed to practice.
As stated above, there are two different types of degrees that a clinical psychologist might get to start their career. A clinical psychologist who wants to specialize in science and research might earn a Ph.D. A clinical psychologist who wants to specialize in clinical work will likely get a Psy.D.
Internships and work hours
Clinical psychology students typically perform work in a school-sponsored internship setting as part of their degree completion. They will also have to pass examinations and become licensed in their state, which typically involves an additional psychology internship. These psychology internships last for a set number of hours, since clinical psychologists are required to practice under the supervision of another psychologist as part of their licensing requirements.
The required number of supervised psychology internship hours varies by state. For example, New Hampshire, Maine, and many other states require that psychologists have 3,000 hours of supervised experience, while Nevada requires 3,700, and Missouri requires 1,500. Many states (e.g., New Hampshire) stipulate that psychology students must complete half of the required hours before the end date of their doctoral program and the other half after they’ve graduated.
In addition to the technical skills that must be acquired, there are several soft skills that can help a clinical psychologist thrive. When working with a psychologist, many clients want to ensure there is a solid psychotherapeutic connection before proceeding with treatment. Being able to communicate effectively and understand a client’s goals can help a psychologist develop that connection. Problem-solving, research, and organizational skills are also considered helpful in the clinical psychology field.
How much do clinical psychologists make in a year: Labor statistics and more
Clinical psychologists tend to earn somewhat less than professionals in other scientific fields. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for a clinical psychologist is about $82,000 per year. However, there may be additional earning potential in some cases. If a clinical psychologist specializes in a certain area of psychology (e.g., neuropsychology) or a certain age group (e.g., geriatric psychology), they may be able to charge more for their clinical services. Also, some clinical psychologists make well over the average income because they work in major metropolitan areas, have many years of experience, or have a highly in-demand specialization. The top 10% of clinical psychologists earn over $160,000 per year.
It’s important to note that setting can also have a major influence on earning potential. A clinical psychologist working in a hospital setting tends to earn about $96,000 per year. Clinical psychologists who work for home health services tend to average closer to $132,000 per year.
How much do clinical psychologists make in different states? Psychologist salary and labor statistics
Geographical location can influence earning clinical psychologist potential as well, as salaries vary from state to state. For instance, New Jersey tends to pay clinical psychologists the most, with their average income being over $143,000 per year. California is another one of the highest-paying states for clinical psychologists, with an average salary of $122,000 per year. Pay can also depend on where a clinical psychologist is located within their state; for example, salaries in Ray Brook, New York, may be lower than those in New York City. To view specific information about clinical psychologist salaries in your state, you can check details from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How much does it cost to see a clinical psychologist?
The average cost of a psychotherapy session in the US is $100–200. However, a clinical psychologist may charge more depending on their speciality and years of experience. Higher service charges and salaries make sense for this field, since there are many costs to account for. Clinical psychologists must pay to maintain state and national licensing and certifications as well as malpractice insurance. They may have to pay for office space and staff, and also need to repay any student loans that they used to pursue their career in helping others.
That said, the cost of seeing a clinical psychologist can be prohibitive for many people who might be interested in seeking treatment from this type of provider. There are certain options available for more affordable professional treatment, however.
Online therapy options for improved mental health
One way to save money on psychotherapy is to go through an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. Telehealth services like this can connect you with a licensed mental health professional who can help you with a variety of challenges and concerns. Because online therapists often work from home, their services may be more affordable than those of traditional in-person therapists—and since research suggests that online therapy offers similar benefits to in-person sessions, you can trust you’ll be getting the quality of treatment you deserve.
Takeaway
If you’re considering pursuing a career in clinical psychology, you may now have a clearer understanding of what working in this field entails and what your earning potential could be like. If you’re looking to enlist the help and support of a clinical psychologist or other mental health professional, consider trying BetterHelp.
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about how much do clinical psychologists make.
In what settings do clinical psychologists make the most money?
While the priorities for entering specific fields can vary, some individuals may choose their job in psychology based on whether they are paid fairly. According to Rivier University, the top five highest-paying psychology careers include the following.
Psychiatrist: The field of psychiatry employs medical doctors who specialize in mental health. Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists are trained as medical doctors. These professionals are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat patients, and are typically licensed to prescribe medications. The mean salary in 2022 for psychiatrists was $299,470 for those working in an outpatient care center or $280,600 for those employed within a physician’s office.
Military psychologist: Military psychologists serve in the armed forces either as civilians or as members of embedded healthcare teams. In addition to their academic training, military psychologists often have to go through the same physical training as other members of their armed forces branch. While the average base salary can vary based on rank and service record, the average pay for psychologists working for the Veterans Health Administration was $104,303.32 in 2021.
Forensic psychologist: Often working with judges, attorneys, and other legal specialists, forensic psychologists typically provide analytic insight for the criminal justice system. The average pay for those working in this type of psychology is $76,423, with the top 10% of forensic psychologists making over $123,000.
Clinical and counseling psychologists: Clinical and counseling psychologists help individuals with their daily mental health struggles and treat a variety of disorders, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. While the average counseling and clinical psychologist salary can vary based on specialty, the highest earners in this field (like those in occupational/employment services) made a mean wage of $139,160 in 2022.
Industrial-organizational psychologist: These psychologists work with businesses in order to assess and define the best practices for increasing productivity and morale. While the median salary may vary depending on what companies a person works with, the 2022 mean annual salary for industrial-organizational psychologists was $113,320.
How satisfied are most clinical psychologists with their careers?
In 2017, approximately 187,000 psychologists working in the United States said they were “somewhat or very satisfied” with their jobs. This accounts for 93% of the total psychologist workforce, with those holding doctorates or professional degrees having the highest likelihood of satisfaction. According to the same survey, psychologists also reported high levels of independence and felt as though they made a contribution to society through their work. These satisfaction rates and other reports may vary for those in different psychology fields, like school psychologists or forensic psychologists.
What makes a clinical psychologist in demand for mental health treatment?
One of the reasons for the rising demand of clinical psychologists is the decrease in stigmatization of seeking mental healthcare. As individuals become more comfortable with the idea of addressing mental health disorders and we seek to meet the mental health demands of an aging population, the number of professionals who need to attend to new patients will likely continue to increase. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% increase in job growth for psychologists between 2022 to 2032.
What kind of questions would a psychologist or social worker ask?
The questions a psychologist will ask you will vary depending on the context of the situation. For example, if you are seeing a psychotherapist, they may ask questions that can help them assess your situation and help to build a strong psychotherapeutic alliance. These questions may focus on your perspective, your emotions about a particular situation, or what behaviors you are using to cope. Examples of questions a psychologist may ask could include the following.
What challenges are you facing in your daily life?
Are you experiencing any relationship struggles?
How does [a particular challenge] make you feel?
Do you find yourself obsessing about certain subjects?
Do you ever experience feelings of hopelessness or persistent sadness?
How often does [particular challenge] happen?
What types of actions do you take to feel better during difficult times?
How does clinical psychology contribute to society?
Clinical psychologists can contribute to society in a variety of ways, often by providing services to individuals or groups and addressing mental health challenges of varying levels of severity. These challenges may include struggles relating to substance misuse, chronic stress, interpersonal challenges, or the symptoms of a specific mental health disorder. Psychologists in this specialty may work in any number of settings, from their own practice clinic to a college, hospital, government organization, or as a member of the military.
How do I become a successful clinical psychologist?
While the path to becoming a successful clinical psychologist may vary, there are several steps that one can follow in order to start working in the field.
Pursue a graduate degree: In most cases, a clinical psychologist will need to have a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) This typically means getting a bachelor’s and master’s degree before enrolling in a doctorate degree program (though not all doctoral programs will require these degrees).
Finish internship and field experience: In most cases, clinical psychologists work to complete an internship and then gain field experience under the supervision of professionals for several years. This is done in order to meet the requirements for licensure, and to gain experience working with real-life patients and situations.
Acquire licenses and certifications: While the exact licenses and certifications you’ll need will vary depending on which state you intend to practice in, these may involve testing your knowledge and experience in order to ensure your ability to treat patients.
While these steps can help you become a clinical psychologist, whether you are successful will depend on your personal definition of success, how well you do during your studies, and how effectively you treat patients during your career.
What are the most important questions that concern psychologists?
Psychology is a vast field with a variety of types that fall under its umbrella. As such, the most important questions that concern psychologists will vary significantly based on their area of focus. Here are a few examples of big questions that psychologists study.
Nature vs. Nurture: The debate surrounding “nature vs. nurture” has persisted for thousands of years, dating back to the early philosophers like Descartes. The core of this question relates to whether genetics or a person's environment have a greater impact on their development.
The purpose of dreams: While there many components of sleep are still mysterious to modern science, the purpose of dreams has led to many arguments within the field of psychology. Some psychologists have come up with theories to define the meaning behind dreams. For example, Sigmund Freud’s theory of wish fulfillment suggested that dreams are a way for our unconscious mind to fulfill our hidden desires.
Unconscious vs. conscious: Another debate in psychology concerns the relationships between conscious and unconscious processes. Psychologists still argue about the level to which cognition is affected by these processes, with newer research using cutting-edge technology like brain imaging and artificial intelligence in order to discover new details.
What are big questions in psychology?
The big questions in psychology may vary depending on the type of psychology they concern, as well as what objectives the person asking the questions have. For example, a social psychologist may ask questions that have to do with the motivations of groups of people or the functions of individuals within an organization. A cognitive psychologist, on the other hand, may want to know how people receive and process information or what processes allow humans to encode and recall specific memories.
Questions may also vary depending on what state you are practicing psychology in. Here are three examples of state-specific topics a psychologist may address.
District of Columbia: Psychologists in the District of Columbia may focus on questions relating to large-scale societal challenges and how they are being addressed by the government.
West Virginia: Because depression rates are high in West Virginia, psychologists may ask questions to discern why their residents disproportionately experience these disorders.
Rhode Island: While COVID-19 affected numerous areas, psychologists in Rhode Island may choose to address questions relating to how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their state’s residents specifically.
What is the minimum salary, income, or earnings of a psychologist per month?
What is the annual salary, income, or earnings of a psychologist from their job, career, or profession?
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