Salary Outlook for Hospital Psychologist
A hospital psychologist is a type of clinical psychologist who works mostly in a healthcare facility. Hospital psychologists evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients who struggle with mental health problems. They may work with hospital patients one-on-one or in groups. Hospitals psychologists frequently work with hospital patients who have been admitted for mental and emotional issues. They also work with medical and surgical patients who need to learn to handle their illness or injury. (Chron.com)
As a branch of clinical psychology, hospital psychology offers comprehensive and continuing mental and behavioral health care for individual patients and families. Hospital psychologists also offer consultive services to social service agencies and communities, as well as training, education, and research-based practice. (APA.org)
Key knowledge that is critical to practice as a hospital psychologist:
- Understand psychopathology and interventions and diagnostic considerations
- Mental health problems across the human lifespan, based on an excellent grasp of psychopathology
- The ability to asses and synthesize data from personality tests with other standardized assessment measures
- Consult with other health and behavioral healthcare professionals in the cases of hospital patients with critical psychopathology, violence, and suicidal tendencies
Becoming a hospital psychologist requires a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, which is a significant time and financial endeavor. Is it worth it for the salary you will earn? The detailed wage information below should help you to make your decision.
Hospital Psychologist Salary Information
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports psychologists in general earn a median salary of $92,740 per year. The top 10% salary range for these professionals starts at $151,880.
The BLS also tracks data for clinical psychologists, a category that encompasses hospital psychologists. The salary breakdown for this profession is:
- Bottom 25% salary – $66,050 and below
- Median salary – $96,100
- Average salary – $106,600
- Top 25% salary – $129,020 and up
- Top 10% salary – $168,870 and up
Data based on work environments is also available. The following are average salaries for clinical psychologists based on sectors that are most relevant for hospital psychologists:
- Scientific research and development services – $131,050
- Specialty hospitals, except psychiatric and substance abuse – $117,940
- Offices of other health practitioners – $114,900
- Offices of physicians – $113,970
- Insurance carriers – $109,570
- Outpatient care centers – $107,500
- General medical and surgical hospitals – $101,450
- Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals – $100,210
- Individual and family services – $91,160
- Other ambulatory care services – $90,800
- Residential intellectual and developmental disability, mental health, and substance abuse facilities – $87,910
- Other residential care facilities – $74,070
- Childcare centers – $70,680
The BLS reports these state-level average clinical psychologist salaries:
| Hourly | Annual | |
| 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 |
Some professionals who work as hospital psychologists may also seek employment as college professors. BLS reports the median salary for professors of psychology is $82,140. At colleges, universities, and professional schools the average salary for these professors is $94,610, while that number drops to $90,870 at junior colleges.
Job Outlook for Hospital Psychologists
The job outlook for hospital psychologists is excellent. The BLS projects a 7% increase in psychology jobs between 2023 and 2033, which is nearly double the general national average of 4%.
Over that same time frame clinical and counseling psychologist jobs are forecast to increase by 13.3%. There will be much more demand for clinical psychologist services in both private practices and hospitals. More Americans are living longer and need treatment for their mental health problems.
State-level job growth projections are available for hospital psychologists in the form of rates for their broader career category of clinical psychologists, 2022-2032:
| State | Growth |
| 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% |
SEE ALSO: How to Become a Health Psychologist
Also, there is a better understanding today of the link between physical and mental health. It is common for hospital patients with diseases and illnesses to receive psychological counseling while they are in treatment.
Job demand for college psychology professors should rise by 5% between 2023 and 2033. More students will attend colleges and universities in the next 10 years. There will be more students earning master’s degrees and PhDs in psychology as there is more need for psychological services across America.
Summary
Working in hospital psychology provides the opportunity to make a high salary. There is increasing demand for all kinds of psychologists as more Americans want help with their mental health issues. More hospitals offer psychological services for admitted patients. It has been shown that treating a patient’s mental and physical health simultaneously leads to better outcomes and lower costs.
SEE ALSO: Best Paying Psychology Careers
With a PhD in clinical psychology, you can look forward to the top 10% salaries in this field. With only a master’s degree, the salary will be considerably lower, and getting the best work opportunities will be difficult.
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary for Psychologists, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, and Post-Secondary Psychology Teachers. 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.