How Much Do Psychologists Make

How Much Do Psychologists Make Student Resources Careers Print How Much Do Psychologists Make? If youre considering this career field, here are some employment statistics By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on September 17, 2019 Zinkevych / Getty Images More in Student Resources Careers APA Style and Writing Study Guides and Tips If youre considering a career in psychology, you may be wondering how much money psychologists earn each year and what the work hours are like. Salaries and schedules in this field vary widely depending upon educational level, specialty area, and years of experience. Some individuals working in the field of psychology earn around $30,000 a year, while others earn six-figure salaries. Psychologists who work in schools or the government usually have full-time schedules during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. Those who work in hospitals or other healthcare facilities may have evening and weekend hours. And psychologists in private practice typically have the option to set their own hours. The following are some of the median annual salaries for different psychology jobs as of 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries for Various Psychology Jobs Career and school counselor: $56,310 Clinical Psychologist: $76,990 Counselor: $47,600 Developmental Psychologist: $56,500 Engineering Psychologist: $79,818 Experimental Psychologist: $56,500 Forensic Psychologist: $59,440 Health Psychologist: $40,000 (entry-level) to $85,000 (advanced-level) Industrial-Organizational Psychologist: $109,030 Psychiatrist: $216,090 Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists:  $50,090 Neuropsychologist: $79,570 School Counselor: $56,310 School Psychologist: $78,970 Social Worker: $49,470 Sports Psychologist: $54,000 Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors: $44,160 Earnings and Salaries in Different Settings While wages vary considerably based on specialty area and employment sector, you can learn more about salary averages from information provided in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. These estimates reflect averages across the entire U.S., so there will be considerable variation within each specialty area and geographic region. While salary should never be your only consideration when choosing a career, looking at pay estimates can give you a better idea of what you might expect to find in different professions. Also, be sure to note that years of experience also play a critical role in determining yearly salaries. New graduates just entering the field may expect to encounter lower starting salaries while more experienced professionals may be able to command much higher salaries. Salaries for Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists The areas of clinical, counseling and school psychology represent three of the largest employment areas within psychology. Professionals who work in these parts of the field diagnose and treat behavioral and emotional problems, learning disabilities, and mental disorders using individual, group, and family therapies. They may also design and implement programs that help with behavioral issues in children. As of May 2018, the median annual salary for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists was $85,340 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent of workers earned less than $44,040,  and the highest 10 percent earned more than $129,310. Salaries can vary depending upon many factors including the specific industry in which a psychologist is employed. The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports the following median annual earnings for clinical, counseling and school psychologists employed in the different industries in 2018: Outpatient care centers - $93,620Individual and family services - $85,810Elementary and secondary schools - $78,970Offices of other health practitioners - $96,930Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals -  $85,870Other specialty hospitals - $93,730Educational support services - $74,250Offices of physicians - $94,320Offices of other health care practitioners - $96,930Management of companies and enterprises - $95,190 Salaries for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists Industrial-organizational psychology is a specialty area, with an expected 13 percent increase in jobs through the year 2028. While job growth is expected in this industry, it is important to note that this is a relatively small profession and the U.S. Department of Labor suggests that this number actually translates to an increase in approximately 200 jobs over the next decade. Industrial-organizational psychologists apply the principles of psychology to problems in administration, human resources, management, marketing, and sales. They may work on policies; help with employee selection, training, and development; and optimize work settings to improve employee productivity. As of May 2018, the mean annual earnings of industrial-organizational psychologists were $109,030  with a median annual wage of $97,260.