Clinical Psychology Salary

Clinical Psychology Salary Today

The American Psychological Association's research office conducted a study, which included a clinical psychology salary survey, of 1,104 doctoral-level respondents who were licensed, claimed clinical psychology as their major field, and were involved in the direct delivery of health and mental health services to clients in 2001.

Here are the results of the survey, in regard to clinical psychology salary, by years of experience and employer type.

Where were these clinical psychologist respondents employed?

• 65 percent worked in independent practices (46 percent in individual private practices and 19 percent in group private practices)
• 14 percent worked in hospitals
• Five percent worked in clinics
• Three percent worked in elementary / secondary schools
• Two percent or less worked in other settings, such as university counseling centers, criminal justice systems, rehabilitation facilities or other human service settings

Average Clinical Psychology Salary

According to Payscale.com, the average clinical psychology salary was $63,935 in 2008.

Clinical Psychologist Salary by Years Experience

The overall 11-to-12 month median salary for licensed doctoral-level clinical psychologists was $63,935 in 2008. A further breakdown reveals the following average salaries of these clinical psychologists:

• 0 – 1 year: $51,309
• 0 – 4 years: $53,087
• 5 – 9 years: $63,935
• 10 – 19 years: $71,739
• 20 – 24 years: $75,727
• 25 – 29 years: $82,076
• 30+ years: $92, 582

Clinical Psychologist Salary by Employer Type

Salaries for clinical psychologists in the US vary depending upon where you work. A survey based on type of workplace environment revealed the following median salaries:

• Hospital: $64,611
• Non-Profit Organization: $55,844
• Private Practice: $74,323
• College or University: $52,319
• School or School District: $57,644
• Federal Government: $81,840
• Company: $60,196

In many cases, it is possible to earn well over $125,000 as a clinical psychologist, depending on the career path you choose and your professional experience, because the APA also indicated that their salary data represents:

• Salaries for individuals who are employed full time (at least 35 hours per week in salaried positions)
• Net income after office expenses for self-employed individuals who are working at least 35 hours per week
• Net income for individuals with a full-time (at least 32 hours per week) independent practice

Because many psychologists have additional sources of income from multiple work activities and settings, this data may not represent total income.

Source: 2001 Salaries in Psychology; Research Office, American Psychological Association, 2006; Payscale.com, 2008

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