Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$100,580
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$48.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$180,960
entry level starts ~$55,170
Pay Grade
A
excellent pay · 76,000 employed

How much do Clinical and Counseling Psychologists make?

The median pay for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in the United States is $100,580 per year — about $48.36 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $55,170, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $180,960.

That is $39,190 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary range by percentile

Half of all Clinical and Counseling Psychologists earn between $73,210 and $135,200 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$55,170$26.52
25th percentile (early career)$73,210$35.20
50th percentile (median)$100,580$48.36
75th percentile (experienced)$135,200$65.00
90th percentile (top earners)$180,960$87.00

Highest-paying states for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Oregon leads the country for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists pay at $134,350 a year, followed by New Jersey ($127,090) and New Mexico ($124,800). At the other end, New Hampshire posts the lowest median at $64,270 — a gap of $70,080 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1Oregon$134,350$64.59+34%
2New Jersey$127,090$61.10+26%
3New Mexico$124,800$60.00+24%
4Alaska$124,270$59.75+24%
5Arizona$119,010$57.22+18%

Workforce and education

About 76,000 people work as Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $112,750 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Clinical and Counseling Psychologists make in the United States?
The median Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary in the United States is $100,580 per year, or about $48.36 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $55,170, while the top 10% of earners make $180,960 or more.
How does Clinical and Counseling Psychologists pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of A (excellent pay), the Clinical and Counseling Psychologists median of $100,580 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Clinical and Counseling Psychologists the most?
Oregon is the highest-paying state for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, with a median salary of $134,350 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Clinical and Counseling Psychologists need?
For most positions, a doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Clinical and Counseling Psychologists work in the United States?
About 76,000 people were employed as Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.