Salary Outlook Masters in Clinical Psychopharmacology Degree
People in the United States are growing older and living longer, which are major reasons for the increase in demand for healthcare services in the country, including clinical psychology and pharmacology. This increased need for healthcare professionals of all kinds is causing more need for workers in all healthcare occupations.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the healthcare and social assistance sector will see its jobs increase by 10% between 2023 and 2033, much faster than average. That means 2.3 million new jobs in this sector.
If you want to enjoy high job demand and a solid salary, earning your master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology is a good option. This degree is a two year, full-time program that educates you on psychopharmacology and mental health care conditions. You will learn about patient mental health assessment, diagnosis and intervention, and engage in case study-based learning that will increase your collaborative medical practice skills. Students also learn about how to use drugs to treat many mental health problems.
SEE ALSO: How to Choose an Online Clinical Psychopharmacology Degree
But what is the salary potential with this graduate degree? Consider these points:
- Whether it is worth it to earn a master’s vs. a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare field
- The exact career path you select with your master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology
- Amount of work experience you possess
- Where you live in the United States
When you have collected this information, you will understand your salary potential with a clinical psychopharmacology degree.
Educational research shows that professionals with a master’s degree will earn more money over their careers than those with a bachelor’s degree. The BLS states that bachelor’s degree holders earn a median salary of approximately $77,636 and those with a master’s earn a median salary of $90,324. The difference between these two figures is $12,688 annually.
In the healthcare field, we generally see higher salaries for professionals with a master’s as well. Higher education, higher salaries. Consider the salary increase potential in these healthcare fields with a master’s:
| Median | Top 25% Salary | Top 10% Salary | |
| Counselor | $53,710 | $70,130 | $89,920 |
| Medical and health services manager | $110,680 | $157,640 | $216,750 |
| Registered nurse | $86,070 | $104,670 | $132,680 |
| Physician assistant | $130,020 | $151,720 | $170,790 |
Types of Psychopharmacology Careers
Your salary potential with this master’s degree also depends on the type of career you select. With your clinical psychopharmacology skills and degree, you can work in many jobs that earn a good salary. Many professionals in the healthcare field who deal with psychotropic medications and patient care work in some form in clinical psychopharmacology.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist meets and works with patients to determine if a serious mental health disorder is present. You will evaluate the patient’s symptoms, behavior and medical history to determine if a mental health condition is present that requires treatment with counseling and drug therapy. Clinical psychopharmacology skills are necessary to determine the best types of drugs to treat complex mental health disorders.
The average salary for a psychiatrist is $256,930 per year.
Clinical Psychologist
A clinical psychologist performs patient treatment and evaluations to diagnose and treat many psychological problems. These issues could be due to a mental health condition, as well as their environment and personal situation. Some of the common problems that clinical psychologists address with counseling and drug therapy are depression, anxiety, and many behavioral problems.
The average salary for a clinical psychologist is $106,600.
Mental Health Counselor
A mental health counselor provides mental health treatment to individuals, families, couples and larger groups. Some mental health counselors work with certain populations, including the elderly, college students or children of a certain age. Mental health counselors need to be familiar with how different types of drugs can be used to treat various mental health and relationship issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem and more.
The average salary for a mental health counselor is $60,080, with the top 10% earning a salary that starts at $89,920 per year. People with a master’s degree in this field tend to earn at the top of the income scale.
Physician Assistant
A physician assistant or PA is a licensed healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a doctor. You may work in a healthcare practice, clinic or hospital. A PA may do many of the same tasks as a doctor, which allows the doctor to spend more time with more advanced healthcare problems with certain patients. A PA is able to prescribe most drugs, including those to treat mental health problems, so having solid clinical psychopharmacology skills is important.
The average salary for a PA is $130,490.
Psychopharmacology Work Experience
It also is important to consider your level of work experience in clinical psychopharmacology and related fields when looking at your salary potential.
For example, a clinical psychologist will earn a different salary based on years of experience. As experience is gained the professional can climb up the salary ladder for a clinical psychologist:
- Bottom 25% salary – $66,050
- Median salary – $96,100
- Top 25% salary – $129,020
- Top 10% salary – $168,870
In most fields related to clinical psychopharmacology, you will see a gradually higher salary from years one through 20 in your career.
Psychopharmacology Geographic Location
The last item to consider in your salary potential with a master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology is your geographic location. Different cities in the United States have a different cost of living and salaries.
For example, a clinical psychologist has an average salary in the US of $106,600, but will see salary variances as follows by city:
- Portland OR – $140,100
- New York City – $123,900
- San Diego CA – $147,760
- Chicago IL – $114,150
- Boston MA – $105,270
- Los Angeles CA – $128,080
- Miami FL – $92,910
Your salary potential with a master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology is quite high; there are many well-paying occupations you can enter with this in demand degree.
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary information for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, Psychiatrists, Physician Assistants, Registered Nurses, Medical and Health Service Managers, and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Substance Abuse Counselors is based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2025.