Clinical Psychologist Salary in 2026
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders using evidence-based therapies.
Median Salary
$100,580
$8,382/mo
Entry Level
$71,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$142,000
experienced
Job Growth
+14%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033) at a national median of $100,580 per year (mean $112,750), or $48.36 per hour, with 75,990 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Clinical Psychologist Overview
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders using evidence-based therapies.
Education
Doctorate (Ph.D./Psy.D.)
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
76K
5-Year Growth
+12%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$48.36/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,382
Clinical Psychologist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Clinical Psychologist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Clinical Psychologist Salary
$118,000
$9,833/month · $4,538/biweekly · $56.73/hr
Clinical Psychologist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Clinical Psychologist field.
Entry-level Clinical Psychologists earn around $71,000, while the top 10% earn $156,800 or more.
Top Paying States for Clinical Psychologists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $119,000 | +$18,420 |
| New York | $116,000 | +$15,420 |
| Massachusetts | $113,000 | +$12,420 |
| Illinois | $105,000 | +$4,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $101,000 | +$420 |
Top Paying Cities for Clinical Psychologists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $119,000 | +$18,420 |
| Los Angeles | $113,000 | +$12,420 |
| Boston | $113,000 | +$12,420 |
| Chicago | $106,000 | +$5,420 |
| Philadelphia | $103,000 | +$2,420 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Clinical Psychologist Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Clinical Psychologist.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Clinical Psychologist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Clinical Psychologist from entry level to expert.
$71,000
0-2 years
$107,000
3-7 years
$142,000
8-14 years
$171,600
15+ years
Related Healthcare Jobs
Home Health Aide
Registered Nurse
Occupational Health Nurse
Medical Assistant
Hospital Administrator
Substance Abuse Counselor
Pharmacy Technician
Dental Assistant
Clinical Psychologist Salary FAQ
How much does a Clinical Psychologist make in 2026?
The median salary for a Clinical Psychologist in the United States is $100,580 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033); the mean is $112,750. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $71,000, senior professionals around $142,000, and top earners at $171,600 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Clinical Psychologist?
A Clinical Psychologist typically requires a Doctorate (Ph.D./Psy.D.) with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychological Assessment, Research Methods. Relevant certifications such as State Licensure or ABPP Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Clinical Psychologists?
The job market for Clinical Psychologists is projected to grow by 14% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 76K Clinical Psychologist positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 12%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Clinical Psychologists the most?
The highest-paying states for Clinical Psychologists include California, New York, Massachusetts. In California, the median salary is approximately $119,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Clinical Psychologist salary?
To increase your Clinical Psychologist salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychological Assessment. Pursue certifications such as State Licensure. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $71,000 to $142,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Clinical Psychologist Salary
How we calculate Clinical Psychologist salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (SOC 19-3033), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $100,580, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists; BLS mean $112,750; BLS hourly median $48.36.
- Entry-level ($71,000) and senior-level ($142,000) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +14% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 75,990 Clinical and Counseling Psychologists jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 12% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Doctorate (Ph.D./Psy.D.), per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $100,580; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Clinical Psychologist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Clinical Psychologist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Clinical Psychologist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychological Assessment, Research Methods), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
Explore More Job Salaries
Compare salary data for hundreds of jobs across all industries. Find out what you should be earning.