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Psychologist salary in United States
How much does a Psychologist make in the United States?
Average base salary
$114,815
- Hour
- Day
- Week
- Month
- Year
Average $114,815
Low $75,510
High $174,581
The average salary for a psychologist is $114,815 per year in the United States. 4.8k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated August 17, 2026).
What Does a Psychologist Do?
Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental, behavioral and emotional disorders. They might work directly with patients experiencing conditions ranging from personal issues to severe and chronic disorders such as schizophrenia.They might also do research studies on behavior and the brain. Some clinical psychologists specialize in a certain population of patients, such as children or older individuals, or specific areas, such as behavioral and cognitive psychology. Responsibilities of clinical psychologists can include:Clinical psychologist work environmentClinical psychologists might work in private practice, independently as consultants or in clinics, government organizations or schools. Some are part of a team of doctors, counselors and other professionals. They might work closely with patients or spend most of their time doing research.Clinical psychologists’ hours can vary. If they work in private practice, they might be able to decide their hours. Those working for hospitals or health facilities might work some evenings or weekends. Clinical psychologists might also work unusual hours to fit clients’ schedules.Skills of a clinical psychologistSuccessful clinical psychologists have various skills, ranging from clear communication to problem-solving. They must have good social skills when interacting with patients as well as a scientific mind. Clinical psychologist skills might include:
- Interviewing, observing, assessing and experimenting on patients to diagnose their mental or behavioral disorder
- Giving personality and intelligence tests and looking for behavioral patterns
- Developing individualized treatment plans and behavior modification programs for patients
- Counseling patients and their families
- Researching behaviors and theories and writing papers on their findings
- Prescribing medications (only clinical psychologists in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana and New Mexico are legally allowed to prescribe medications)
- Interpersonal skills: Clinical psychologists should be approachable and work well with patients, their families and other professionals. They should show empathy and support for their patients.
- Integrity: Patients must trust their psychologist to share private information with them. The professional should be trustworthy, keep information confidential and make their patients feel safe and comfortable.
- Analytical skills: Clinical psychologists must evaluate their observations and information to come to solutions or treatments for patients’ disorders.
- Communication: Clinical psychologists spend a lot of time listening to and communicating with patients. They should communicate in a way that encourages patients to share their experiences. Those with a research focus should be able to clearly explain their study findings in publications and presentations.
- Observational skills: These professionals must identify subtle behavioral signs and understand the meaning of patients’ actions, expressions and other nonverbal cues.
Highest paying companies for Psychologist in United States
Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.Kids Time Therapies
$513,600per year
The Counseling Center, Inc.
$499,200per year
R3 Continuum
$499,200per year
Catholic Charities Family and ...
$478,400per year
Amanecer Community Counseling ...
$416,000per year
All About Kids
$416,000per year
Hiring a Psychologist?
Highest paying cities for Psychologists near United States
Where can a Psychologist earn more?
Compare salaries for Psychologists in different locationsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Psychologist