Psychologist Salary A psychologist salary varies greatly depending upon level of education and the environment in which a psychology professional practices. The field of psychology should, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, enjoy faster-than-average growth—around 15 percent—through 2016. Job prospects should be best for people who have a doctoral degree in an applied specialty such as counseling or school psychology. A psychologist salary for a doctorate-holder will average $6,000 to $8,000 more per year than those with a master's degree. Job prospects for those holding a master's degree in areas other than industrial-organizational psychology should expect the job field to be competitive, and bachelor degree holders will face limited opportunities. Employment opportunities will increase primarily in schools, hospitals, substance abuse clinics, consulting firms and private companies. How much can you expect to earn as a psychiatrist, general psychologist or psychologist specializing in a particular field of psychology? Here are psychologist salary figures based on 2007 median earnings statistics by psychology specialty.  Psychiatrist Salary | Job Title/Specialty | Median Salary | | School Psychologist Salary | $64,832 | | Industrial-Organizational Psychologist Salary | $94,767 | | Forensic Psychologist Salary | $60,188 | | Sports Psychologist Salary | $54,000 | | Developmental Psychologist Salary | $71,899 | | Educational Psychologist Salary | $58,820 | | Experimental Psychologist Salary | $63,505 | | Neuropsychologist Salary | $79,570 | | Social Psychologist Salary | $64,496 |
Psychiatrist Salary You'll need to attend medical school to become a psychiatrist and earn an MD degree. In residency, you'll receive specialized training in the field of psychiatry in addition to all general medical school training. The employment of psychiatrists is projected to grow 14 percent through 2016, which is faster than average for all occupations. Job growth will occur because of need for qualified psychiatrists in mental health facilities, clinics and hospitals. Additionally, psychiatrists in private practice will replace baby boomer-age professionals, who may be considering retirement. | Job Title/Specialty | Median Salary | | Psychiatrist Salary (Private Practice) | $151,333 | Counselor/Therapist Salary According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for counselors is expected to grow on average 21 percent—much faster than the national average for all occupations through 2016. Growth will vary by counseling specialty, with substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling holding the highest percentage (34 percent) while educational, vocational and school counselors will see an average growth of 13 percent. Marriage and family counselors and mental health counselors will see an average growth of 30 percent and rehabilitation counselors will average 23 percent job growth through 2016. Median incomes for counselor/therapist salaries are: | Job Title/Specialty | Median Salary | | Substance Abuse Counselor Salary | $40,540 | | Behavioral Disorder Counselor Salary | $40,540 | | Mental Health Counselor Salary | $43,163 | | Marriage and Family Counselor Salary | $45,310 | | Vocational Counselor Salary | $61,547 | | Rehabilitation Counselor Salary | $39,439 | | Clinical Therapist Salary | $45,000 | | School Counselor Salary | $48,929 | Social Worker Salary Employment growth for social workers is estimated at 22 percent through 2016, which is much higher than the national average. Once again, many new jobs will be created because of a rapidly growing elderly population, which will result in a greater demand for social services. While a bachelor's degree in social work constitutes the minimum requirement, a master's degree in social work or a related field is the standard. Here are the median projected incomes for social work specialties. This table will give you an idea of your average salary and allow you to better prepare for a future helping others. | Job Title/Specialty | Median Salary | | Child Welfare Worker Salary | $37,918 | | Medical Social Worker Salary | $50,295 | | Aging/Gerontology Specialist Salary | $45,201 | | Psychotherapy Social Worker Salary | $54,171 | | School Social Worker Salary | $41,792 | | Medical/Clinical Social Worker Salary | $55,660 | | Development Disabilities Specialist Salary | $55,000 |  Salary Sources: Salary.com, SalaryWizard.com, Speedyceus.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, socialworkschool.tripod.com, socialworkers.org, payscale.com Online Psychology Degrees Home
Resource Center | Find Psychology Degrees Online |
 
Featured Articles Read informative articles about psychology degree programs and the history of psychology. More Psychology Articles |
