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Forensic Psychologist Salary (State-by-State Pay 2023)

Forensic psychology could be lucrative once you’ve earned your degree. Here are some salary ranges.

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Median Annual Forensic Psychology Salary

Forensic psychologists are part of the larger field of psychologists as far as salaries are reported, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics. Take a look at median annual salaries by state here.

Psychologists, All Other

National data

Median Salary: $106,420

Projected job growth: 5.1%

10th Percentile: $40,000

25th Percentile: $68,410

75th Percentile: $124,020

90th Percentile: $138,860

Projected job growth: 5.1%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $110,090 $27,480 $127,150
Arizona $111,220 $47,990 $127,570
Arkansas $99,900 $26,290 $122,680
California $122,970 $52,890 $173,850
Colorado $107,490 $61,200 $130,650
Connecticut $116,310 $37,710 $143,370
District of Columbia $106,810 $52,120 $138,860
Florida $105,760 $49,250 $126,900
Georgia $99,590 $46,320 $125,630
Hawaii $120,600 $51,080 $149,950
Idaho $97,510 $46,320 $116,380
Illinois $106,420 $51,380 $136,390
Indiana $103,790 $49,600 $123,800
Iowa $106,950 $42,200 $123,010
Kansas $103,790 $30,400 $133,830
Kentucky $110,090 $75,030 $122,680
Louisiana $39,310 $36,770 $122,680
Maine $80,010 $52,430 $135,110
Maryland $106,810 $35,360 $159,330
Massachusetts $116,210 $51,480 $137,340
Michigan $66,210 $36,850 $122,680
Minnesota $80,870 $40,730 $129,080
Mississippi $66,650 $26,290 $119,520
Missouri $106,950 $41,600 $124,950
Montana $79,350 $26,290 $122,680
Nebraska $104,690 $26,290 $122,680
Nevada $124,840 $47,430 $150,970
New Hampshire $123,260 $46,140 $142,770
New Jersey $120,640 $39,090 $135,260
New Mexico $106,430 $46,610 $135,610
New York $106,020 $39,260 $142,580
North Carolina $103,790 $45,380 $124,900
Ohio $111,070 $48,280 $140,110
Oklahoma $106,390 $26,290 $128,710
Oregon $112,440 $60,200 $160,920
Pennsylvania $97,930 $50,360 $130,580
Rhode Island $104,000 $30,410 $139,980
South Carolina $114,730 $46,320 $140,630
South Dakota $103,790 $26,730 $142,520
Texas $112,280 $48,820 $141,420
Utah $106,950 $47,650 $130,560
Vermont $83,690 $54,860 $120,990
Virginia $109,640 $78,680 $138,530
Washington $111,110 $53,500 $135,430
West Virginia $39,670 $26,400 $117,500
Wisconsin $106,500 $45,660 $142,620
Wyoming $104,730 $26,290 $167,380

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

What’s my earning potential?

Salaries for forensic psychologists can be excellent, with the BLS reporting that the top 10% of psychologists earned more than $138,860. As with most psychology careers, experience and chosen field of specialty play an enormous factor in salary.

How do forensic psychology salaries compare to other psychology careers?

Career Median Annual Salary
Psychologists, All Other $106,420
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists $139,280
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $90,130
School Psychologists $81,500

What is the job growth for the field?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of psychologists is expected to grow 6.1% through 2032, which is on par with all other careers. This growth will add 11,300 psychologists to the workforce. Why? Due to an aging population and health care costs associated with unhealthy lifestyles, personal and family problems and crime and punishment, there will be increased demand for forensic psychology professionals in schools, law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, consulting firms, and mental health centers.

With the growing interest in this popular field, jobs will most likely go to those with doctoral degrees, while master’s degree-holders will find the road to entry into the forensic psychology workplace highly competitive. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

How much job competition do forensic psychologists face?

Job prospects will be best for forensic psychologists with doctoral degrees. Graduates with a master’s degree will find stiff competition for jobs because of the limited number of forensic psychology positions that require only a master’s degree. Bachelor’s degree holders will also be limited in the forensic psychology careers they may pursue, although some might find work as an assistant in rehabilitation centers.

What kinds of companies hire forensic psychologists?

Often, people in forensics will work as independent contractors and consultants. According to the BLS, forensic psychologists are most frequently employed by the following types of industries or offices:

  • Federal executive branches
  • Health practitioners offices
  • Prosecutors’ offices
  • Law firms
  • Insurance companies

How do I advance in my forensic psychology career?

Education is key to forensic psychologists, and those who provide expert analysis or testimony often have a master’s degree or doctorate. In addition, those who provide expert testimony need many years of work experience in their profession, as well as a sterling reputation in the field. If you decide you want to take the educational route to become a forensic pathologist, you’ll need to earn a medical degree and complete a residency program, as well as get board certified in forensic pathology.

Experience in law enforcement, legal procedures, and computer science may also help advance your career within the field of forensic psychology.

Like any profession, forensic psychology has its exciting days and its routine ones. In the end, however, the research, analysis and informed opinions that forensic psychologists produce have a powerful impact on the criminal justice system and the public at large.