Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists earn a median $100,580 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What clinical and counseling psychologists 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.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +11.7% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 4,100
- Self-employed
- 5%
Employment of clinical and counseling psychologists is projected to grow 11.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,298
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,236
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,458
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$79,588
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,170 | $26.52 | $46,509 |
| 25th percentile | $73,210 | $35.20 | $60,333 |
| Median (50th) | $100,580 | $48.36 | $79,588 |
| 75th percentile | $135,200 | $65.00 | $103,675 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $180,960 | $87.00 | $134,952 |
Best cities for clinical and counseling psychologists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $120,510 | $87,539 | $77,769 | 8,170 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $99,250 | $72,361 | $63,718 | 4,790 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $85,390 | $64,820 | $62,570 | 5,030 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $120,510
- Los Angeles, CA — $99,250
- Chicago, IL — $85,390
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $134,350 | +1.4% | $92,094 | $93,600 – $163,340 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $127,090 | +15.3% | $92,226 | $57,180 – $224,050 | 2,700 |
| New Mexico | $124,800 | +69.0% | $91,783 | $54,080 – $169,520 | — |
| Alaska | $124,270 | +17.4% | $96,205 | $42,360 – $170,180 | 40 |
| Arizona | $119,010 | +11.3% | $89,787 | $61,890 – $170,170 | 730 |
| Hawaii | $117,860 | +8.3% | $84,317 | $86,770 – $141,860 | 250 |
| North Dakota | $116,130 | +6.4% | $89,522 | $69,520 – $148,320 | 170 |
| California | $116,000 | +1.3% | $82,370 | $62,900 – $188,050 | 12,840 |
| Washington | $115,240 | +0.2% | $89,901 | $78,940 – $179,470 | 1,270 |
| Massachusetts | $115,180 | +32.3% | $84,320 | $60,250 – $216,570 | 2,860 |
| New York | $114,400 | +14.5% | $83,601 | $64,980 – $204,540 | 8,420 |
| Wisconsin | $113,360 | +9.1% | $83,951 | $76,360 – $166,270 | 1,150 |
| Colorado | $113,290 | −10.3% | $84,253 | $46,870 – $161,700 | 1,170 |
| Delaware | $113,050 | +3.6% | $82,240 | $66,150 – $147,930 | 280 |
| Rhode Island | $107,490 | +5.6% | $80,945 | $54,500 – $144,700 | 420 |
| Minnesota | $107,030 | +4.3% | $78,371 | $62,290 – $163,610 | 1,290 |
| District of Columbia | $107,000 | — | $77,978 | $70,400 – $239,200+ | 220 |
| Nevada | $102,650 | −0.8% | $81,044 | $77,700 – $150,840 | 680 |
| Ohio | $101,190 | −1.1% | $78,017 | $39,640 – $161,580 | 2,080 |
| Missouri | $99,410 | +15.1% | $75,030 | $45,770 – $141,810 | 840 |
| Utah | $99,170 | +11.4% | $75,099 | $48,070 – $156,000 | 1,020 |
| Kentucky | $99,140 | −14.9% | $75,223 | $49,220 – $174,820 | 710 |
| Idaho | $97,790 | +30.7% | $73,551 | $60,720 – $148,930 | 300 |
| Georgia | $96,060 | +87.6% | $72,045 | $45,310 – $179,850 | 1,120 |
| Nebraska | $94,540 | — | $71,917 | $45,370 – $143,190 | 770 |
| South Carolina | $92,700 | — | $69,640 | $59,600 – $131,420 | — |
| North Carolina | $92,130 | +0.3% | $70,476 | $52,890 – $213,160 | 2,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,870 | +1.6% | $70,640 | $61,340 – $175,410 | 3,140 |
| Iowa | $91,690 | −7.0% | $70,501 | $64,200 – $168,660 | 440 |
| Alabama | $90,800 | −9.5% | $68,433 | $57,530 – $154,340 | 260 |
| Wyoming | $89,890 | +12.5% | $72,068 | $64,200 – $169,270 | 50 |
| Virginia | $86,520 | −0.7% | $65,536 | $41,990 – $176,080 | 2,140 |
| Florida | $85,610 | +1.9% | $69,057 | $55,480 – $239,200+ | 3,040 |
| Indiana | $84,990 | +5.2% | $66,143 | $56,200 – $129,110 | 1,850 |
| Michigan | $84,730 | +5.9% | $65,087 | $61,290 – $134,980 | 2,170 |
| Illinois | $83,750 | −14.1% | $63,747 | $36,580 – $168,730 | 5,810 |
| Texas | $83,660 | +15.7% | $67,685 | $59,490 – $136,360 | 3,640 |
| Vermont | $83,270 | +4.7% | $64,375 | $58,070 – $137,620 | 190 |
| South Dakota | $80,130 | −6.6% | $65,201 | $63,630 – $123,210 | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $79,950 | −12.3% | $62,023 | $62,150 – $205,790 | 950 |
| Arkansas | $77,520 | — | $60,555 | $58,090 – $111,560 | 370 |
| West Virginia | $77,040 | +9.2% | $60,249 | $44,100 – $146,240 | 920 |
| Tennessee | $76,820 | −16.8% | $62,873 | $50,520 – $126,930 | 1,180 |
| Kansas | $76,690 | +24.1% | $59,302 | $47,620 – $151,800 | 400 |
| Mississippi | $76,000 | −17.7% | $59,988 | $48,270 – $107,160 | 210 |
| Louisiana | $71,330 | +5.7% | $57,257 | $46,500 – $121,750 | 320 |
| Montana | $68,160 | — | $54,290 | $49,800 – $143,640 | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $64,270 | +22.4% | $53,821 | $44,550 – $194,050 | 330 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $95,990 | Master's degree | +0.8% |
| Psychologists, All Other | $110,840 | Master's degree | +2.3% |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 | Master's degree | +6.5% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,110 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
| Geographer | $102,040 | Bachelor's degree | -2.1% |
| Sociologist | $106,030 | Master's degree | +3.8% |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $89,320 | Master's degree | +3.9% |
| Historian | $76,750 | Master's degree | +3.0% |
| Economist | $124,720 | Master's degree | +4.7% |
| Anthropologist and Archeologist | $70,770 | Master's degree | +6.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make?
The national median salary for clinical and counseling psychologists is $100,580 a year ($48.36 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $55,170 and the top 10% earn over $180,960. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays clinical and counseling psychologists the most?
Oregon has the highest median pay at $134,350. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many clinical and counseling psychologists are there in the U.S.?
About 75,990 people work as clinical and counseling psychologists nationwide.