How Much Do Counseling Psychologists Make?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), counseling psychology is a general practice and health service provider specialty. It focuses on how patients function in their personal lives and relationships. (APA.org)
Counseling psychologists deal with the social, work, emotional, school, and physical health problems that people may have during their lives. These psychologists, usually with a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree, help patients with mental, emotional and/or physical health issues to enhance their feeling of well being, reduce feelings of distress and resolve personal crises.
The APA notes the most common problems addressed by counseling psychologists are:
- Work and school adjustment issues
- Making good decisions about work and career, and how to deal with transitioning from school to work, and from work to retirement.
- Marriage problems and difficulties with children
- How to manage stress and handle negative life events
- How to deal with personal and social adjustment with growing up
- Mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders
Some of the skills and procedures you will use in counseling psychology include:
- Counseling and psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups
- Trauma management, crisis intervention and handling of disasters
- Assessment methods to diagnose psychological disorders
- Programs that inform and educate the public about issues about mental health, family, relationships and the workplace.
- Training and clinical supervision
- Test validation and construction
To work in the popular counseling psychology profession, you need to earn your Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree (See PsyD vs Ph.D.) to practice independently and to hold many of the best-paying psychology positions. Below is more information about the salary you can expect as a counseling psychologist.
Counseling Psychologist Salary Information
One of the best data sources for psychologist salary information is the Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS. This official government source reports the median salary for all psychologists is $92,740. The top 10% earn a salary that starts at $151,880, which generally requires a Psychology doctoral degree and many years of counseling work experience.
The BLS reports the following median annual salaries for four specific categories of psychologists:
- Industrial-organizational psychologists: $147,420
- Clinical and counseling psychologists: $96,100
- School psychologists: $84,940
- All other psychologists: $117,750
Since the BLS tracks specific salary data for clinical and counseling psychologists it’s possible to give a full breakdown for this category:
- Bottom 25% salary: $66,050 and lower
- Median salary: $96,100
- Top 25% salary: $129,020 and up
- Top 10% salary: $168,870 and up
Data is also available on the average salary for counseling psychologists by sector:
- Scientific research and development services: $131,050
- Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals: $117,940
- Offices of other health practitioners: $114,900
- Offices of physicians: $113,970
- Educational support services: $111,340
- Outpatient care centers: $107,500
- General medical and surgical hospitals: $101,450
- Individual and family services: $91,160
The BLS also reports the following state-specific counseling psychologist salary data:
| State | Hourly Average | Annual Average |
| New Jersey | $71.33 | $148,370 |
| California | $63.66 | $132,410 |
| Oregon | $62.25 | $129,470 |
| Rhode Island | $58.04 | $120,720 |
| Maine | $56.59 | $117,710 |
| Maryland | $56.04 | $116,560 |
| New York | $54.44 | $113,230 |
| Illinois | $53.51 | $111,300 |
| Utah | $53.19 | $110,630 |
| Wisconsin | $52.83 | $109,890 |
| Tennessee | $52.73 | $109,670 |
| Arizona | $52.67 | $109,550 |
| Alaska | $52.55 | $109,300 |
| Ohio | $52.25 | $108,690 |
| Washington | $52.24 | $108,650 |
| Virginia | $51.99 | $108,130 |
| Nevada | $51.36 | $106,830 |
| Arkansas | $51.12 | $106,330 |
| Kentucky | $50.55 | $105,140 |
| Massachusetts | $49.34 | $102,630 |
| Colorado | $47.93 | $99,690 |
| Vermont | $46.13 | $95,950 |
| Minnesota | $45.72 | $95,100 |
| Hawaii | $44.61 | $92,780 |
| Indiana | $44.57 | $92,700 |
| New Mexico | $44.49 | $92,530 |
| Alabama | $44.46 | $92,470 |
| North Carolina | $43.94 | $91,390 |
| Florida | $43.00 | $89,450 |
| Oklahoma | $42.97 | $89,380 |
| North Dakota | $42.55 | $88,500 |
| Missouri | $42.18 | $87,730 |
| Iowa | $42.00 | $87,360 |
| South Dakota | $41.42 | $86,160 |
| Georgia | $41.25 | $85,800 |
| Michigan | $39.79 | $82,770 |
| Texas | $39.62 | $82,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $38.66 | $80,400 |
| Montana | $38.61 | $80,310 |
| West Virginia | $36.45 | $75,810 |
| Idaho | $36.22 | $75,330 |
| Wyoming | $35.03 | $72,860 |
| Kansas | $34.89 | $72,570 |
| South Carolina | $31.25 | $64,990 |
| New Hampshire | $30.96 | $64,390 |
Job Outlook for Counseling Psychologists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows demand for counseling psychologists should rise by 13.3% between 2023 and 2033. This is much faster than average when compared with all occupations, whose projected increase is 4% over that same time frame.
Jobs for counseling and clinical psychologists should increase because of higher demand for psychology services in hospitals, mental health centers, and social service centers. More psychologists are needed to offer services to aging Americans and help older Americans deal with physical and mental changes that occur with age.
SEE ALSO: Counselor Education Degree vs. Counseling Psychology
The U.S. Department of Labor projects the following counseling psychologist job growth by state between 2022 and 2032:
| Utah | 50% |
| Arizona | 26.8% |
| Florida | 26.1% |
| Oregon | 23.4% |
| Tennessee | 23.4% |
| New Mexico | 23.3% |
| South Carolina | 22.8% |
| California | 20.7% |
| Iowa | 20.6% |
| Colorado | 20.1% |
| New Hampshire | 20% |
| Texas | 19.6% |
| North Carolina | 18.9% |
| Mississippi | 16% |
| New Jersey | 15.2% |
| Oklahoma | 14.6% |
| South Dakota | 14.3% |
| Indiana | 13.4% |
| Arkansas | 13.2% |
| Montana | 13% |
| Maryland | 12.6% |
| Kansas | 12.5% |
| North Dakota | 12.5% |
| West Virginia | 12.2% |
| Massachusetts | 11.9% |
| Virginia | 11.6% |
| Alabama | 11.4% |
| Nebraska | 11.4% |
| Michigan | 11.2% |
| Kentucky | 11.1% |
| Wyoming | 11.1% |
| Illinois | 11% |
| Missouri | 10.9% |
| Rhode Island | 10.9% |
| Louisiana | 10.8% |
| Nevada | 10.7% |
| Georgia | 10.5% |
| Minnesota | 9.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 9.5% |
| Connecticut | 9.1% |
| Wisconsin | 9.1% |
| Delaware | 8.3% |
| District of Columbia | 7.1% |
| Vermont | 5.6% |
| Ohio | 4.5% |
| Alaska | 0% |
| Idaho | 0% |
| Maine | 0% |
It also is worth looking at the field of marriage and family counseling; many professionals with a PhD degree in counseling psychology become a marriage and family counselor. This field will see a 16.2% increase in jobs between 2023 and 2033. Growth is occurring from the use of integrated care, which is treating several medical or mental health problems at once by a group of specialists.
Marriage and family counselors work with other counselors, such as those with skills in substance abuse, behavior disorder etc. to provide the best results for the patient.
Summary
The career field of psychology is one of the fastest-growing in the country. More Americans are going to psychologists and counselors to work through their mental health and personal problems. They are living healthier and longer lives, and want to have their mental health issues addressed so they can live the best life possible.
Because of the rising demand for counseling psychologists, the salary you can expect with a doctoral degree is rising. With a PhD and enough experience you can look towards the top 10% for counseling psychologists, which starts at $168,870.
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary for Psychologists and Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. National labor market information and state labor market information also sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor. Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2025.