Mississippi Clinical Psychologist Salary Outlook

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About 1 in 5 American adults are dealing with a mental illness, from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Regardless of their diagnosis, about 19% of U.S. adults have a diagnosable mental illness. Despite this, only about 15% of adults receive mental health services in a typical year.

In Mississippi, the numbers are even worse. While a similar percentage of adults have a mental illness (19.5% in Mississippi), the state has one of the lowest rates of mental health services utilization. According to the most recent data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 13.7% of Mississippi adults received mental health services in the past year, well over a full percentage point lower than the U.S. rate.

SEE ALSO: How to Become a Clinical Psychologist

One reason why the state lags behind the curve in treatment of mental health could be a lack of qualified professionals in the field. That’s why many clinical psychologists and psychology students who are traveling down that career path may be considering setting up shop in Mississippi. What do these people need to know about their salary and career prospects in the state?

What’s On This Page

  • How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make in Mississippi?
  • Who’s Hiring for Clinical Psychologists in Mississippi?
  • Which Mississippi Cities Are Best for Clinical Psychologists?

How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make in Mississippi?

On average, a clinical psychologist earns about $81,000 per year in the U.S. In Mississippi, that’s closer to $72,000, which puts the state in the bottom 15 when it comes to salaries.

Average annual clinical psychologist wage, bottom 15

West Virginia$54,780
Idaho$60,880
Montana$64,160
Arizona$65,400
Oklahoma$66,400
Kentucky$66,940
South Carolina$68,040
Alabama$69,190
Kansas$69,530
Vermont$70,120
Nebraska$71,130
Mississippi$72,470
Arkansas$73,050
New Mexico$73,550
Texas$73,920

Clinical psychologist wages in Mississippi may lag behind the U.S. average, but these professionals can still expect to earn a high wage relative to many of their neighbors. That’s because the overall average wage for all occupations in Mississippi is just over $40,000, which  means clinical psychologists make more than 80% above that.

Average annual Mississippi wage, select occupations

All Occupations$40,090
Agricultural Inspectors$38,960
Bill and Account Collectors$34,010
Carpenters$38,550
Chiropractors$87,280
Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists$72,470
Credit Analysts$59,770
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$62,940
Firefighters$30,180
Gambling Managers$77,880
Healthcare Social Workers$47,460
Insurance Sales Agents$58,260
Legislators$36,170
Mechanical Engineers$81,170
News Analysts, Reporters and Journalists$37,790
Occupational Therapy Assistants$62,290
Public Relations Specialists$44,220
Security Guards$26,090
Tile and Stone Setters$37,160
Veterinarians$81,950

The long-term outlook for clinical psychologist jobs in Mississippi isn’t bright, though positive growth is still expected through 2028. Still, Mississippi’s projected growth rate for clinical psychologist employment is the lowest in the country.

States by projected long-term growth rate for clinical psychologist job openings, bottom 10

Mississippi2.4%
Maine6.4%
Alaska7.7%
Michigan7.7%
Kansas8.4%
Illinois9.3%
New Mexico9.7%
South Carolina9.7%
Wisconsin10.4%
New Jersey11.7%

Note: Short-term 2019-2021; long-term 2018-2028

Which Mississippi Cities Are Best for Clinical Psychologists?

In some areas of the state, wages are higher, though none of the cities and non-metro areas for which data is available have salary rates that are above the state level.

Mississippi cities and non-metro areas by average annual clinical psychologist wage

Jackson$69,070
Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula$66,010
Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area$58,150

Similarly, job availability varies by geography, with the Gulfport metro area likely providing the most opportunity for clinical psychologists to find jobs.

Mississippi cities and non-metro areas by average clinical psychologist employment per 1,000 jobs

Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula0.252
Jackson0.19
Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area0.156

Who’s Hiring for Clinical Psychologists in Mississippi?

Those with a desire to help others improve their mental and emotional well-being have a wide range of options when it comes to the type of organization they want to work for. Jobs are regularly available in the public and private sectors, in a range of industries and with the ability to focus on a variety of population groups.

While new openings are posted all the time, here’s a look at some of the Mississippi organizations that were seeking to hire clinical psychologists in the summer of 2020:

  • PainStop Spine Clinic
  • ERP International
  • Methodist Rehabilitation Center
  • Mississippi Center for Advanced Medicine
  • Freedom Magnolia
  • US Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Canopy Children’s Solutions
  • Panola Medical Center
  • Mississippi State Personnel Board
  • Will’s Way
  • CoreCivic
  • North State
  • Defining Wellness
  • Jackson State University
  • Potomac Healthcare Solutions
  • Spectrum Health Resources
  • Mississippi Behavioral Health Services
  • Region 8 Mental Health
  • Hinds County Sheriff
  • The Center for Violence Prevention

Conclusion

Though salaries for clinical psychologists in Mississippi may leave something to be desired, there’s little doubt that the state is in tremendous need of help from those with the disposition, training and licensure necessary to make a real difference in people’s lives.

SEE ALSO: Best Mississippi Psychology Doctorate Programs

Additional References