Salary Outlook for Family Psychologists
The psychology field is growing rapidly in the US today as more Americans want to live happier lives as they age. Because people are living longer and have better access to advanced medical technology, they want to enjoy their lives more by being both mentally and physically healthy. This higher demand for psychologists has caused a steady increase in salaries and job openings.
While job demand for specific types of psychologists will vary by specialty, we can expect there will be more need for family, counseling, and clinical psychologists for years to come.
To become a family psychologist, it is necessary to obtain at least your master’s in psychology, and a doctorate in psychology is necessary to work in private practice. You also need to have 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical work experience after earning your degree, followed by a licensing examination.
Before you embark on such a long educational journey, learn more about the salary you can earn as a family psychologist. Below is more information.
Family Psychologist Salary Information
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
BLS states the median salary for psychologists in 2018 was $79,010, with the lowest 10% earning $43,800 and the top 10% making $129,250 or more. Professionals with their doctorate and many years of experience will earn more than $100,000 annually, especially if they choose private practice over academia. (BLS.gov)
Median wages for various types of psychologists in 2018 were:
- All other psychologists: $100,700
- Industrial-organizational psychologists: $97,200
- Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists: $76,900
Median wages for psychologists in top industries were:
- Government: $96,400
- Hospitals: $86,500
- Ambulatory health services: $79,100
- Elementary and secondary schools: $75,800
Marriage and family therapists earned a median salary of $50,090 in 2018, with the top 10% with doctoral degrees earning more than $82,000 per year. (BLS.gov). Top industries salary-wise for marriage and family therapists were:
- State government: $69,900
- Outpatient care centers: $51,200
- Offices of other health practitioners: $49,100
- Individual and family services: $44,700
Mental health counselors are reported to earn a median salary of $44,600. The lowest 10% earned less than $28,000, and the top 10% with the highest education and experience earned more than $72,990. (BLS.gov)
Salaries in the top industries for mental health counselors were:
- Government: $51,600
- Hospitals: $48,300
- Individual and family services: $44,100
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers: $43,100
- Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities: $38,100
Payscale.com
Payscale.com reports that psychologists earn an average salary of $76,515 with a range between $49,000 and $112,000. (Payscale.com). Some of the reported salaries include:
- Self-employed: $119,000
- CHE: $82,000
- Kaiser Permanente: $103,000
- VA: $92,000
- US Department of Defense: $98,000
- Medoptions: $80,000
Below are popular skills for psychologists and salary:
- Clinical psychology: $79,300
- Counseling: $70,200
- Clinical supervision: $80,100
- Diagnosis and treatment planning: $79,900
- Forensic psychology: $77,700
Pay for family psychologists rise with experience:
- Less than 1 year: $60,900
- One to four years: $69,900
- Five to nine years: $81,000
- 10-19 years of experience: $88,200
- More than 20 years of experience: $89,000
Pay by location can be higher or lower than the median salary of $76,515:
- New York City: +5%
- Denver: +4%
- San Diego: +2%
- Portland OR: +2%
- Boston: -1%
- Chicago: -1%
- Los Angeles: -5%
Ziprecruiter.com
Ziprecruiter.com reports the average salary for psychologists is $107,400 with a range between $29,000 and $194,000. Most psychologist salaries fall in the range of $77,000 and $118,500. (Ziprecruiter.com)
Salary.com
This website reports the average psychologist with a Ph.D. earns $102,400 per year, with a range between $92,000 and $115,000. (Salary.com)
Indeed.com
Indeed.com reports the average salary for a psychologist is $88,600 per year. (Indeed.com)
Average Family Psychologist Salary by State
| State | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $50.22 | $104,467 |
| Massachusetts | $49.75 | $103,479 |
| Washington | $49.40 | $102,757 |
| New Hampshire | $48.42 | $100,710 |
| Hawaii | $47.78 | $99,384 |
| Maryland | $46.11 | $95,900 |
| Connecticut | $46.09 | $95,870 |
| North Dakota | $45.79 | $95,241 |
| Alaska | $45.79 | $95,241 |
| Wyoming | $45.79 | $95,241 |
| Montana | $45.79 | $95,241 |
| Nevada | $45.79 | $95,241 |
| Idaho | $45.79 | $95,241 |
| Rhode Island | $45.72 | $95,090 |
| Vermont | $45.47 | $94,573 |
| Nebraska | $45.41 | $94,454 |
| California | $45.02 | $93,632 |
| Virginia | $44.82 | $93,216 |
| Kentucky | $43.91 | $91,339 |
| South Dakota | $43.81 | $91,125 |
| New Jersey | $43.71 | $90,927 |
| West Virginia | $43.66 | $90,816 |
| Pennsylvania | $43.45 | $90,377 |
| South Carolina | $43.23 | $89,909 |
| Minnesota | $43.19 | $89,827 |
| Oregon | $43.08 | $89,610 |
| Delaware | $43.08 | $89,598 |
| Tennessee | $43.05 | $89,534 |
| Colorado | $43.02 | $89,478 |
| Ohio | $42.74 | $88,889 |
| Wisconsin | $42.63 | $88,677 |
| Arizona | $42.54 | $88,492 |
| Kansas | $42.36 | $88,111 |
| Utah | $42.34 | $88,072 |
| Indiana | $42.27 | $87,925 |
| Oklahoma | $42.20 | $87,786 |
| Maine | $42.05 | $87,472 |
| Louisiana | $41.88 | $87,116 |
| Iowa | $41.45 | $86,219 |
| Georgia | $41.04 | $85,368 |
| Texas | $40.57 | $84,388 |
| New Mexico | $40.48 | $84,205 |
| Michigan | $40.38 | $83,992 |
| Arkansas | $40.35 | $83,930 |
| Illinois | $40.13 | $83,473 |
| Alabama | $40.08 | $83,371 |
| Mississippi | $39.68 | $82,527 |
| Missouri | $39.58 | $82,333 |
| Florida | $38.68 | $80,461 |
| North Carolina | $36.83 | $76,616 |
| Ziprecruiter.com June, 2020 |
Job Outlook for Family Psychologists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides job outlook data for family psychologists and marriage and family therapists that indicate a strong labor market in this profession in the next decade.
BLS reports employment for psychologists will rise by 14% by 2028, which is much faster than average when compared to other occupations. (BLS.gov). Employment for family psychologists, clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, and school psychologists will grow because of the higher demand for psychological services in hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, and social service centers.
As Americans are living longer and healthier lives, more people want to take advantage of mental health services so they can live happier and more productive lives. Family psychologists will be needed to provide mental health services to our aging population, as they help people to handle mental and physical changes of aging. Psychological services also will be in higher demand among our veterans who have suffered war trauma, and for people with developmental problems, including autism.
Marriage and family therapists will see 22% more jobs by 2028, which also is much faster than average compared to all occupations. Growth will come because of the greater use of integrated care. This is a treatment regimen that tackles several problems at once by a group of healthcare specialists. Marriage and family therapists provide integrated care with counselors in substance abuse, behavior disorders, and mental health. (BLS.gov)
Mental health counselors also will enjoy a 22% increase in jobs by 2028, which is much faster than average. As with family psychologists, mental health counselors will experience more need for their services from our aging population. (BLS.gov)
Summary
The increasing need for family psychologists and other mental health professionals make clear that salaries in this profession will rise in the years to come. If you earn your Ph.D. in psychology, it is possible to earn more than $100,000 per year in private practice or by working for a large healthcare company, such as Kaiser Permanente.