How much does a psychologist make?
Answer: A typical psychologist in the United States makes $110,840 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 19,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Psychologist pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $54,990 | $110,840 | $168,520 | about 19,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $157,540 | about 2,000 |
| Virginia | $140,640 | about 510 |
| Florida | $134,690 | about 910 |
| New York | $128,320 | about 680 |
| North Carolina | $126,440 | about 570 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can depend on experience, advanced training or licenses, specialty, employer type, location, and whether someone works full time or nights and weekends. More complex duties can also make pay differ.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a psychologist do?
All psychologists not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
A psychologist in this broad group might talk with someone, give a thinking or behavior test, then study the results for clues. They may explain what they found to the person or family and write a report for other professionals.
How to get this job
A common U.S. path is a bachelor’s degree, then a psychology doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and an internship. To practice independently, meet state supervised-training rules, pass required exams such as the EPPP, and get licensed; requirements vary.
Did you know?
Some psychologists help judges and lawyers understand the psychological side of a court case.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Life, Physical, and Social Science jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/print/psychologists.htm
- www.apa.org/education-career/grad/faqs
- www.apa.org/gradpsych/2004/01/get-licensed
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY