How Much Money Do Clinical Psychologists Make?
Clinical psychologists work in counseling centers, clinics, hospitals, and independent or group practices. Typically, they counsel people who need more intensive therapy than those seeking a counseling psychologist, although the job descriptions overlap. Clinical psychologists must have a master's degree at the minimum, and most hold a doctorate degree.
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Starting Salary
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According to the PayScale salary survey website (payscale.com), the median starting salary for clinical psychologists in 2009 ranges from about $38,000 to $62,000, with an increase to $54,000 to $78,000 with five years of experience.
Average Salary
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes clinical, counseling and school psychologists together in its salary figures. Average salary for these psychologists in 2008 was about $34 per hour or $70,000 annually. PayScale shows average salary for clinical psychologists a bit lower, at about $64,000.
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General Range
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About 80 percent of clinical, counseling and school psychologists were making between $34,000 and $107,000 in 2008, according to the BLS. Narrowing it further, the middle 50 percent were earning between $49,000 and $83,000.
Independent Practice
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The American Psychological Association conducted a survey in 2001 and found that 65 percent of clinical psychologists were working in independent or group practices. The BLS shows this group of psychologists making about $82,000 on average in 2008.
Potential
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The Salary List website (salarylist.com), which gathers actual job listings, shows a wide salary range for clinical psychologists, with one employer offering more than $200,000 annually. The highest-paying positions are all in major metropolitan areas.
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