Clinical and Counseling Psychologists earn a median of $100,580 per year ($48.36/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 11.7% through 2035, with about 4,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 19-3033
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Clinical Psychologist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $100,580a year, or $48.36/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $55KTop 10% $181K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +11.7%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+11.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +11.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4,10081,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202581.3K
- Projected 203590.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 81.3K Projected 2035 90.9K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Master's8%
- Doctorate44%
- Post-doctoral training48%
Highest education held by clinical and counseling psychologists Segment Value Master's 8% Doctorate 44% Post-doctoral training 48%
Also advertised as: Case Manager, Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Psychologist, Counselor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Psychologist.
Pay
How much do Clinical and Counseling Psychologists make?
Every clinical psychologist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$100,580
Middle half earn $73,210 to $135,200
- 10th
- $55,170
- 25th
- $73,210
- 75th
- $135,200
- 90th
- $180,960
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $55,170 |
| 25th | $73,210 |
| Median | $100,580 |
| 75th | $135,200 |
| 90th | $180,960 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $100,580
- Median hourly wage
- $48.36/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $112,750
- People employed
- 75,990
Versus all US occupations
At $100,580, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists earn 97% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $49,600 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 22% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $180,960 or more while the bottom 10% earn $55,170, a gap of 3.3×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 73% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Oregon posts the highest raw median ($134,350), but once local prices are taken into account New Mexico leads at $135,340 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Clinical and Counseling Psychologists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Oregon | $134,350 | $129,981 | 540 |
| 2New Jersey | $127,090 | $116,805 | 2,700 |
| 3New Mexico | $124,800 | $135,340 | N/A |
| 4Alaska | $124,270 | $121,406 | 40 |
| 5Arizona | $119,010 | $118,210 | 730 |
| 6Hawaii | $117,860 | $107,193 | 250 |
| 7North Dakota | $116,130 | $130,543 | 170 |
| 8California | $116,000 | $104,769 | 12,840 |
| 9Washington | $115,240 | $107,688 | 1,270 |
| 10Massachusetts | $115,180 | $108,910 | 2,860 |
Job outlook
Is Clinical Psychologist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +11.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | +11.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Clinical and Counseling Psychologists to change 11.7% over 2025–2035, roughly 3.3× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 9,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 4,100 openings are projected each year, 5.0% of the 81,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of psychologists varies by occupation (see table).
Employment for psychologists is projected to grow due to demand for psychological services in schools, hospitals, mental health centers, and social service agencies.
Getting in
How to become a Clinical Psychologist
Psychologists typically need an advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, in psychology. Licensing requirements vary by state and position.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Internship/residency
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as clinical and counseling psychologists.
- Post-Doctoral Training48%
- Doctoral Degree44%
- Master's Degree8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Training | 48% |
| Doctoral Degree | 44% |
| Master's Degree | 8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Clinical Psychologist do?
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.
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.
Day-to-day tasks
- Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
- Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
- Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
- Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
- Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
- Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
- Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans or diagnoses as necessary.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most psychologists work full time, but part-time work is common. They may work evenings or weekends to accommodate their clients’ schedules.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.8
- Active Listening4.3
- Writing4.3
- Critical Thinking4.3
- Speaking4.1
- Active Learning3.9
- Monitoring3.8
- Learning Strategies3.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.8 |
| Active Listening | 4.3 |
| Writing | 4.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.3 |
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness4.4
- Service Orientation3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Coordination3.5
- Persuasion3.5
- Instructing3.3
- Time Management3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.4 |
| Service Orientation | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Coordination | 3.5 |
| Persuasion | 3.5 |
| Instructing | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Video conferencing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Billing and invoicing software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Data base user interface and query software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Clinical Psychologist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Clinical Psychologist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 1 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 7 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Social6.6
- Investigative5.6
- Conventional3.5
- Artistic3.1
- Enterprising2.6
- Realistic1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Clinical Psychologist
O*NET related occupations
- Community and Social Service
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
$60,280median a year
Most earn $40K to $104K
+10.3%Master's - Community and Social Service
- Community and Social Service
Mental Health Counselor
$60,320median a year
Most earn $39K to $101K
+10.9%Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Community and Social Service
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with clinical and counseling psychologists highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Clinical Psychologist$100,580
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Clinical Psychologist | $100,580 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within clinical psychologist
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Clinical Psychologist appears on
Questions
Clinical Psychologist: frequently asked questions
How much do Clinical and Counseling Psychologists make?
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists earn a median of $100,580 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 97% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $48.36/hr. The middle half earn between $73,210 and $135,200. The top 10% earn $180,960 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Clinical Psychologist?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. BLS also lists internship/residency as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 48.0% hold post-doctoral training.
Is Clinical Psychologist a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 11.7% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 4,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Clinical Psychologist do?
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. A core O*NET task: conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Medical software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Clinical and Counseling Psychologists the most?
The highest state medians for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists are Oregon ($134,350), New Jersey ($127,090), New Mexico ($124,800) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, New Mexico moves to the top at $135,340.
What personality type suits a Clinical Psychologist?
O*NET scores Clinical and Counseling Psychologists highest on the Social, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INFJ, ENFJ, ENFP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.