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Verywell / JR Bee
Psychology can be a high-paying job, but it is important to recognize that there is tremendous diversity among psychology professions, and salaries and yearly earnings are just as varied. In a struggling economy, many students have turned their interest toward some of the highest-paying careers in psychology. The highest paying psychologist career salaries average around $167,000.
While many psychology careers have a higher than average yearly salary, it is important to remember that actual income depends upon various factors, including geographic location, employment sector, educational background, and years of experience.
Learn more about some of the highest-paying psychology careers, the typical salaries for such professions, and the educational requirements for entering these fields.
How Much Does a Psychologist Make?
Psychologists made a median salary of $105,780 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $119,460 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $76,730.
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Best-Paying Cities for Psychologists
The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the psychologist profession are Los Angeles, Sacramento, Jacksonville, Salinas, and Chicago.
Los Angeles, California
$138,810
Sacramento, California
$126,040
Jacksonville, Florida
$125,230
Salinas, California
$122,360
Chicago, Illinois
$118,550
The 5 Best-Paying Cities for Psychologists
Best-Paying States for Psychologists
The states and districts that pay Psychologists the highest mean salary are California ($124,910), Alaska ($118,270), Illinois ($115,340), Virginia ($109,060), and Colorado ($103,560).
California
$124,910
Alaska
$118,270
Illinois
$115,340
Virginia
$109,060
Colorado
$103,560
How Much Do Psychologists Make in Your City?
See current salary offers for jobs in your field.
Average Psychologist Pay vs. Other Best Jobs
$100,130
in 2020. Comparable jobs earned the following average salary in 2020:
Psychologists earned an average salary ofin 2020. Comparable jobs earned the following average salary in 2020: Psychiatrists made $217,100, Industrial Psychologists made $112,690, School Psychologists made $89,290, and Mental Health Counselors made $54,540.
250,000
187,500
125,000
62,500
0
250,000
187,500
125,000
62,500
0
Psychiatrist
Industrial Psychologist
Psychologist
School Psychologist
Mental Health Counselor
What Psychologists Do
About this section
Industrial-organizational psychologists apply psychological research and methods to workplace issues.
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors.
Duties
Psychologists typically do the following:
- Conduct scientific studies of behavior and brain function
- Observe, interview, and survey individuals
- Identify psychological, emotional, behavioral, or organizational issues and diagnose disorders
- Research and identify behavioral or emotional patterns
- Test for patterns that will help them better understand and predict behavior
- Discuss the treatment of problems with clients
- Write articles, research papers, and reports to share findings and educate others
- Supervise interns, clinicians, and counseling professionals
Psychologists seek to understand and explain thoughts, emotions, feelings, and behavior. They use techniques such as observation, assessment, and experimentation to develop theories about the beliefs and feelings that influence individuals.
Psychologists often gather information and evaluate behavior through controlled laboratory experiments, psychoanalysis, or psychotherapy. They also may administer personality, performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests. They look for patterns of behavior or relationships between events, and they use this information when testing theories in their research or when treating patients.
The following are examples of types of psychologists:
Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Clinical psychologists help people deal with problems ranging from short-term personal issues to severe, chronic conditions.
Clinical psychologists are trained to use a variety of approaches to help individuals. Although strategies generally differ by specialty, clinical psychologists often interview patients, give diagnostic tests, and provide individual, family, or group psychotherapy. They also design behavior modification programs and help patients implement their particular program. Some clinical psychologists focus on specific populations, such as children or the elderly, or on certain specialties, such as neuropsychology.
Clinical psychologists often consult with other health professionals regarding the best treatment for patients, especially treatment that includes medication. Currently, only Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico allow clinical psychologists to prescribe medication to patients.
Counseling psychologists help patients deal with and understand problems, including issues at home, at the workplace, or in their community. Through counseling, these psychologists work with patients to identify their strengths or resources they can use to manage problems. For information on other counseling occupations, see the profiles on marriage and family therapists, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, and social workers.
Developmental psychologists study the psychological progress and development that take place throughout life. Many developmental psychologists focus on children and adolescents, but they also may study aging and problems facing older adults.
Forensic psychologists use psychological principles in the legal and criminal justice system to help judges, attorneys, and other legal specialists understand the psychological aspects of a particular case. They often testify in court as expert witnesses. They typically specialize in family, civil, or criminal casework.
Industrial–organizational psychologists apply psychology to the workplace by using psychological principles and research methods to solve problems and improve the quality of worklife. They study issues such as workplace productivity, management or employee working styles, and employee morale. They also help top executives, training and development managers, and training and development specialists with policy planning, employee screening or training, and organizational development.
Rehabilitation psychologists work with physically or developmentally disabled individuals. They help improve quality of life or help individuals adjust after a major illness or accident. They may work with physical therapists and teachers to improve health and learning outcomes.
School psychologists apply psychological principles and techniques to education disorders and developmental disorders. They may address student learning and behavioral problems; design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performances; and counsel students and families. They also may consult with other school-based professionals to suggest improvements to teaching, learning, and administrative strategies.
Some psychologists become postsecondary teachers or high school teachers.
Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021
19-3039 Psychologists, All Other
All psychologists not listed separately.
National estimates for Psychologists, All Other
Industry profile for Psychologists, All Other
Geographic profile for Psychologists, All Other
National estimates for Psychologists, All Other:
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Psychologists, All Other:
Employment (1) Employment
RSE (3) Mean hourly
wage Mean annual
wage (2) Wage RSE (3) 13,800 3.4 % $ 47.12 $ 98,010 1.4 %
Percentile wage estimates for Psychologists, All Other:
Percentile 10% 25% 50%
(Median) 75% 90% Hourly Wage $ 19.12 $ 35.53 $ 49.47 $ 57.81 $ 64.04 Annual Wage (2) $ 39,760 $ 73,910 $ 102,900 $ 120,240 $ 133,200
Industry profile for Psychologists, All Other:
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for Psychologists, All Other are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in Psychologists, All Other, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in Psychologists, All Other:
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in Psychologists, All Other:
Top paying industries for Psychologists, All Other:
Geographic profile for Psychologists, All Other:
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for Psychologists, All Other are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in Psychologists, All Other, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in Psychologists, All Other:
State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2) California 1,500 0.09 0.93 $ 53.95 $ 112,210 Illinois 870 0.15 1.58 $ 47.95 $ 99,740 Texas 840 0.07 0.70 $ 48.89 $ 101,680 Florida 800 0.09 0.94 $ 49.64 $ 103,240 Minnesota 610 0.22 2.29 $ 39.01 $ 81,150
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Psychologists, All Other:
Top paying states for Psychologists, All Other:
State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2) Alaska 30 0.11 1.08 $ 54.35 $ 113,040 Oregon 230 0.12 1.27 $ 54.12 $ 112,570 California 1,500 0.09 0.93 $ 53.95 $ 112,210 Maryland 530 0.21 2.11 $ 53.54 $ 111,350 Iowa 90 0.06 0.59 $ 51.06 $ 106,200
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in Psychologists, All Other:
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Psychologists, All Other:
Top paying metropolitan areas for Psychologists, All Other:
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in Psychologists, All Other:
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Psychologists, All Other:
Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for Psychologists, All Other:
About May 2021 National, State, Metropolitan, and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia. The top employment and wage figures are provided above. The complete list is available in the downloadable XLS files.
The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate—50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.
(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a “year-round, full-time” hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.
(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.
(8) Estimate not released.
(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.
Other OEWS estimates and related information:
May 2021 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2021 Occupation Profiles
Technical Notes
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