How Much Do Therapists and Psychologists Make?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypical SalariesEarnings and Salaries in Different SettingsClinical, Counseling, and School PsychologistsIndustrial-Organizational Psychologists

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Typical Salaries

Earnings and Salaries in Different Settings

Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

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If you’re considering a career in psychology, you may wonder how much moneypsychologistsand therapists earn each year and what the work hours are like. Salaries and schedules in this field vary widely depending on educational level, specialty area, and years of experience.Some therapists and psychologists earn around $48,000 a year, while others earn six-figure salaries. Psychologists who work in schools or the government usually have full-time schedules during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.Those who work in hospitals or other healthcare facilities may have evening and weekend hours. Psychologists in private practice can typically set their own hours.At a GlanceHow much psychologists and therapists earn depends on various factors, including educational background, experience, job setting, and geographic region. The median annual salary for psychologists and therapists is $85,330 or a little over $7,000 monthly.However, these numbers vary considerably depending on what a person does. For example, while substance use and mental health counselors earn around $47,000 a year, clinical psychologists earn about $90,000 a year.Typical Salaries for Therapists and PsychologistsAccording to 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (and 2023 PayScale data when government data aren’t available), the following are some median annual salaries for different psychology jobs.Career and School Counselor: $58,120Clinical Psychologist: $90,130Developmental Psychologist: $67,990Experimental Psychologist: $81,350Forensic Psychologist: $72,370Health Psychologist: $81,630Industrial-Organizational Psychologist: $139,280Psychiatrist: $214,380Marriage and Family Therapists: $56,570Neuropsychologist: $94,550School Counselor: $58,120School Psychologist: $81,500Social Worker: $55,350Sports Psychologist: $72,260Substance Abuse, Mental Health, and Behavioral Disorders Counselors: $49,710Earnings and Salaries in Different SettingsWhile wages vary considerably based on specialty area and employment sector, you can learn more about salary averages from information provided in theOccupational Outlook Handbook. These estimates reflect averages across the entire U.S., so there will be considerable variation within each specialty area and geographic region.While salary should never be your only consideration when choosing a career, looking at pay estimates can give you a better idea of what you might expect to find in different professions.Also, be sure to note that years of experience also play a critical role in determining yearly salaries. New graduates just entering the field can expect to encounter lower starting salaries while more experienced professionals may be able to command much higher salaries.Salaries for Clinical, Counseling, and School PsychologistsThe areas of clinical,counselingand school psychology represent three of the largest employment areas within psychology.Professionals who work in these parts of the field diagnose and treat behavioral and emotional problems, learning disabilities, and mental disorders using individual, group, and family therapies. They may also design and implement programs that help with behavioral issues in children.As of May 2022, the mean annual salary for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists was $85,330 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% of workers earned less than $48,010, and the highest 10% earned more than $141,910.Salaries can vary depending upon many factors, including the specific industry in which a psychologist is employed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following mean annual earnings for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists employed in the different industries in 2022:Outpatient care centers: $106,410Individual and family services: $91,510Home health care services: $110,570Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals: $99,750Elementary and secondary schools: $81,620Educational support services: $108,530Offices of physicians: $108,440Offices of other health practitioners: $111,750Salaries for Industrial-Organizational PsychologistsIndustrial-organizational psychology is a specialty area, with an expected 6% increase in jobs between 2022 and 2032.While job growth is expected in this industry, it is important to note that this profession is relatively small, with only 1,100 professionals as of 2019.Industrial-organizational psychologists apply the principles of psychology to problems in administration, human resources, management, marketing, and sales. They may work on policies; help with employee selection, training, and development; and optimize work settings to improve employee productivity.As of May 2022, the mean annual earnings of industrial-organizational psychologists were $144,610, with a median annual wage of $ 139,280.What This Means For YouSalary should not be the only factor you consider when deciding on a career as a psychologist or therapist. However, understanding your potential earnings can help you plan for your career and it is something you should think about as you decide which path might be right for you. For example, you might decide to enter a specific profession and focus on getting agraduate degreeand extra experience in order to maximize your earning potential.

If you’re considering a career in psychology, you may wonder how much moneypsychologistsand therapists earn each year and what the work hours are like. Salaries and schedules in this field vary widely depending on educational level, specialty area, and years of experience.

Some therapists and psychologists earn around $48,000 a year, while others earn six-figure salaries. Psychologists who work in schools or the government usually have full-time schedules during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.

Those who work in hospitals or other healthcare facilities may have evening and weekend hours. Psychologists in private practice can typically set their own hours.

At a GlanceHow much psychologists and therapists earn depends on various factors, including educational background, experience, job setting, and geographic region. The median annual salary for psychologists and therapists is $85,330 or a little over $7,000 monthly.However, these numbers vary considerably depending on what a person does. For example, while substance use and mental health counselors earn around $47,000 a year, clinical psychologists earn about $90,000 a year.

At a Glance

How much psychologists and therapists earn depends on various factors, including educational background, experience, job setting, and geographic region. The median annual salary for psychologists and therapists is $85,330 or a little over $7,000 monthly.However, these numbers vary considerably depending on what a person does. For example, while substance use and mental health counselors earn around $47,000 a year, clinical psychologists earn about $90,000 a year.

How much psychologists and therapists earn depends on various factors, including educational background, experience, job setting, and geographic region. The median annual salary for psychologists and therapists is $85,330 or a little over $7,000 monthly.

However, these numbers vary considerably depending on what a person does. For example, while substance use and mental health counselors earn around $47,000 a year, clinical psychologists earn about $90,000 a year.

Typical Salaries for Therapists and Psychologists

According to 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (and 2023 PayScale data when government data aren’t available), the following are some median annual salaries for different psychology jobs.

While wages vary considerably based on specialty area and employment sector, you can learn more about salary averages from information provided in theOccupational Outlook Handbook. These estimates reflect averages across the entire U.S., so there will be considerable variation within each specialty area and geographic region.

While salary should never be your only consideration when choosing a career, looking at pay estimates can give you a better idea of what you might expect to find in different professions.

Also, be sure to note that years of experience also play a critical role in determining yearly salaries. New graduates just entering the field can expect to encounter lower starting salaries while more experienced professionals may be able to command much higher salaries.

Salaries for Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists

The areas of clinical,counselingand school psychology represent three of the largest employment areas within psychology.Professionals who work in these parts of the field diagnose and treat behavioral and emotional problems, learning disabilities, and mental disorders using individual, group, and family therapies. They may also design and implement programs that help with behavioral issues in children.

As of May 2022, the mean annual salary for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists was $85,330 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% of workers earned less than $48,010, and the highest 10% earned more than $141,910.

Salaries can vary depending upon many factors, including the specific industry in which a psychologist is employed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following mean annual earnings for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists employed in the different industries in 2022:

Salaries for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Industrial-organizational psychology is a specialty area, with an expected 6% increase in jobs between 2022 and 2032.

While job growth is expected in this industry, it is important to note that this profession is relatively small, with only 1,100 professionals as of 2019.

Industrial-organizational psychologists apply the principles of psychology to problems in administration, human resources, management, marketing, and sales. They may work on policies; help with employee selection, training, and development; and optimize work settings to improve employee productivity.

As of May 2022, the mean annual earnings of industrial-organizational psychologists were $144,610, with a median annual wage of $ 139,280.

What This Means For YouSalary should not be the only factor you consider when deciding on a career as a psychologist or therapist. However, understanding your potential earnings can help you plan for your career and it is something you should think about as you decide which path might be right for you. For example, you might decide to enter a specific profession and focus on getting agraduate degreeand extra experience in order to maximize your earning potential.

What This Means For You

Salary should not be the only factor you consider when deciding on a career as a psychologist or therapist. However, understanding your potential earnings can help you plan for your career and it is something you should think about as you decide which path might be right for you. For example, you might decide to enter a specific profession and focus on getting agraduate degreeand extra experience in order to maximize your earning potential.

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Labor.School and Career Counselors.Occupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 19-3032 Industrial-Organizational Psychologists.U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022; 21-1013 Marriage and Family Therapists.U.S. Department of Labor.Social workers: Pay.U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022; 21-1018 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.U.S. Department of Labor.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2020: 19-3031 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Labor.School and Career Counselors.Occupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 19-3032 Industrial-Organizational Psychologists.U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022; 21-1013 Marriage and Family Therapists.U.S. Department of Labor.Social workers: Pay.U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022; 21-1018 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.U.S. Department of Labor.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2020: 19-3031 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

U.S. Department of Labor.School and Career Counselors.Occupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 19-3032 Industrial-Organizational Psychologists.U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022; 21-1013 Marriage and Family Therapists.U.S. Department of Labor.Social workers: Pay.U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022; 21-1018 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.U.S. Department of Labor.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2020: 19-3031 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists.

U.S. Department of Labor.School and Career Counselors.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 19-3032 Industrial-Organizational Psychologists.

U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022; 21-1013 Marriage and Family Therapists.

U.S. Department of Labor.Social workers: Pay.

U.S. Department of Labor.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022; 21-1018 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.

U.S. Department of Labor.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2020: 19-3031 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists.

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