Average Clinical Psychologist Salary by State
About 1 in 5 American adults is dealing with a mental illness, and young people experience mental illness in roughly the same numbers. For all Americans, suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death, and it’s the second-leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34.
America is facing a veritable mental health crisis, but less than half of the people who have a mental illness seek treatment, with only about 4 in 10 getting any mental healthcare. For men, the percentages are even lower, with only about 35% of men experiencing a mental illness seeking treatment for it.
Still, the awareness of mental illness is growing, and the stigma around seeking help does seem to be creeping lower and lower, which is a good sign not only for the average American but for the entire mental healthcare landscape.
EXPERT VOICE: How much do clinical psychologists earn each year? Depends upon location, work site, specialization, salary vs contract or private practice or continuation, years of experience, population treated, etc. Starting salaries may be around $60-$75k, up to $100k at a VA. mid-career typically $85-$100k. If you manage others in a private practice, do forensic or neuropsych work, or consult you can earn more. –Denis Zavodny, PhD Psychologist/Board Certified Behavior Analyst
A crucial individual in that landscape is the licensed clinical psychologist, a highly trained professional who works with patients, clients and families to diagnose and treat mental health disorders as well as improve emotional and psychological behaviors.
The job outlook for these individuals is quite positive, with most states offering high wages and healthy growth rates. Let’s take a look at where each state stands when it comes to clinical psychologist salaries.
What’s On This Page
- Highest Clinical Psychologist Salaries
- Mid-Range Clinical Psychologist Salaries
- Lowest Clinical Psychologist Salaries
- 40+ Individual States in Detail
Highest Average Clinical Psychologist Salaries
coastal states plus interior ones. California and Illinois rank among the top-five most populous states, while New Jersey’s average salary is nearly $16k higher than its closest competitor.
High-range states (#1-#11)
| New Jersey | $148,370 |
| California | $132,410 |
| Oregon | $129,470 |
| Washington DC | $126,400 |
| Rhode Island | $120,720 |
| Maine | $117,710 |
| Maryland | $116,560 |
| New York | $113,230 |
| Illinois | $111,300 |
| Utah | $110,630 |
| Wisconsin | $109,890 |
Mid-Range Average Clinical Psychologist Salaries
A total of 25 states have average wages that are in the middle of the road, between $85,800 and $109,670. The mid-tier salary states are quite diverse geographically, ranging from Alabama to Washington, though the Midwest is also well-represented in the bracket.
Mid-range states (#12-#36)
| Tennessee | $109,670 |
| Arizona | $109,550 |
| Alaska | $109,300 |
| Ohio | $108,690 |
| Washington | $108,650 |
| Virginia | $108,130 |
| Nevada | $106,830 |
| Arkansas | $106,330 |
| Kentucky | $105,140 |
| Massachusetts | $102,630 |
| Colorado | $99,690 |
| Vermont | $95,950 |
| Minnesota | $95,100 |
| Hawaii | $92,780 |
| Indiana | $92,700 |
| New Mexico | $92,530 |
| Alabama | $92,470 |
| North Carolina | $91,390 |
| Florida | $89,450 |
| Oklahoma | $89,380 |
| North Dakota | $88,500 |
| Missouri | $87,730 |
| Iowa | $87,360 |
| South Dakota | $86,160 |
| Georgia | $85,800 |
Lowest Average Clinical Psychologist Salaries
Fifteen states have average annual clinical psychologist wages that are sub-$83,000 or provide no data at all. Only two states have salaries in the $60k range, while five states did not report salary data.
Low-range states (#37-#51)
| Michigan | $82,770 |
| Texas | $82,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,400 |
| Montana | $80,310 |
| West Virginia | $75,810 |
| Idaho | $75,330 |
| Wyoming | $72,860 |
| Kansas | $72,570 |
| South Carolina | $64,990 |
| New Hampshire | $64,390 |
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and labor market information for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists is based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2025.
Salary Detail by State
Click below to see details about clinical psychologist salaries in your state.
| Alabama | Hawaii | Massachusetts | New Mexico | South Dakota |
| Alaska | Idaho | Michigan | New York | Tennessee |
| Arizona | Illinois | Minnesota | North Carolina | Texas |
| Arkansas | Indiana | Mississippi | North Dakota | Utah |
| California | Iowa | Missouri | Ohio | Vermont |
| Colorado | Kansas | Montana | Oklahoma | Virginia |
| Connecticut | Kentucky | Nebraska | Oregon | Washington |
| Delaware | Louisiana | Nevada | Pennsylvania | West Virginia |
| Florida | Maine | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | Wisconsin |
| Georgia | Maryland | New Jersey | South Carolina | Wyoming |
Conclusion
While we’ve seen that there’s a tremendous amount of geographic variation in what clinical psychologists can expect to earn per year, in every state, these highly trained professionals are compensated at rates far higher than the average worker.
SEE ALSO: How to Become a Clinical Psychologist?