What Is the Salary for Graduates with a PhD in Clinical Psychology?

<p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that clinical and counseling psychologists overall earned a median annual salary of $82,510 as of May 2021 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Most of these professionals earned wages from $47,010 to $167,460. Additionally, <i>PayScale.com</i> reported that the median salary for clinical psychologists at early career was $81,244 as of March 2023. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutPsychologists">Important Facts About Psychologists</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> On-the-Job Training </td><td> Internship/residency</td></tr> <tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Patience, trustworthiness, ability to observe, ability to think analytically, ability to communicate well, problem-solving and people skills</td></tr> <tr><td> Work Environment</td><td> Private practice offices, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, mental health facilities</td></tr> <tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Counselor, physician, postsecondary teacher, social worker, sociologist</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---EntryLevelSalariesForRecentPh.D.Graduates">Entry-Level Salaries for Recent Ph.D. Graduates</h3> <p>According to the 2015 doctoral employment survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), a recent graduate can expect to earn approximately $75,000-$125,000. The median starting salary for graduates providing direct human services in clinical psychology was $80,000, while those beginning their careers in school psychology earned a median salary of $75,000. The APA also reported that Ph.D. holders working as assistant professors earned a median annual salary of $55,500, while those working in research earned a median salary of $95,000. </p> <h3 id="section---SalariesByIndustry">Salaries by Industry</h3> <p>The BLS reported that industries with the highest level of employment opportunities for clinical and counseling psychologists in May 2021 included offices of health practitioners, offices of physicians, outpatient care centers, individual and family services and general medical and surgical hospitals. Individuals working for offices of health practitioners made $106,870 on average, while those working for general medical and surgical hospitals averaged $ 96,290. Average wages for other industries were $78,900 for individual and family services, $106,520 for offices of physicians, and $106,490 for outpatient care centers. </p> <p>Employment services paid these psychologists the highest average wage of $139,160 in May 2021, according to the BLS. Home health care services offered an average wage of $132,740, while offices of physicians paid an average of $106,520. </p> <h3 id="section---SalariesByLocation">Salaries by Location</h3> <p>According to the BLS, top-paying states for clinical and counseling psychologists in May 2021 included New Jersey, Delaware, Oregon, California, and New York. Average wages for each of these states were $143,150, $129,450, $126,230, $122,790, and $120,350, respectively. The states that employed the most of these professionals included California, New York, Illinois, Texas, and Massachusetts, with average wages ranging from $92,110-$122,790 annually. The lowest average wages in the country ranged from $61,950-$79,250 and were found in states that included Idaho, Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Georgia. </p> <h3 id="section---CareerOverview">Career Overview</h3> <p>Clinical psychology focuses on identifying, treating and preventing a variety of mental health disorders. As a clinical psychologist, you will provide an outlet for individuals, groups and families to talk through and deal with issues ranging from personal feelings to major mental disabilities, including depression and schizophrenia. The field encompasses a number of specialty areas, such as child psychology, health psychology and neuropsychology. These professionals are needed in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, the military, private practice and healthcare organizations. </p> <h3 id="section---EducationRequirements">Education Requirements</h3> <p>According to the BLS, a doctoral degree is usually required to enter the field of clinical psychology. Aspiring clinical psychologists choose either a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in clinical or counseling psychology. As a graduate of a clinical psychology Ph.D. program, you can choose to pursue careers in teaching, research or direct patient care. Ph.D. programs typically require 4-5 years of full-time study and require extensive coursework in areas such as psychotherapy, intervention, assessment and human development. Independent research is required to complete a doctoral thesis. </p> <h3 id="section---JobOutlook">Job Outlook</h3> <p>The BLS expects average job growth of t1n percent for clinical and counseling psychologists over the 2021-2031 decade. The aging population and an increased need for professionals who can help those with mental health issues will contribute to this growth. By 2031, the BLS estimated that there will be 6,500 new jobs in this field.</p>