The median annual wage for psychologists was $72,580 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $118,310.
Median annual wages for psychologists in May 2015 were as follows:
Psychologists, all other
$94,590
Industrial-organizational psychologists
77,350
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists
70,580
In May 2015, the median annual wages for psychologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Government
$90,620
Hospitals; state, local, and private
81,430
Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private
71,300
Offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians)
70,470
Individual and family services
59,910
Psychologists in private practice often set their own hours, and many work part time as independent consultants. They may work evenings or weekends to accommodate clients. Those employed in hospitals or other healthcare facilities also may have evening or weekend shifts. Most psychologists in clinics, government, industry, or schools work full-time schedules during regular business hours.
Psychologists
Median annual wages, May 2015
Psychologists
$72,580
Social scientists and related workers
$72,570
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2024 Edition
Interesting Fact
Before becoming an actress and comedian, Whoopi Goldberg worked as a bricklayer, a bank teller, and even as a makeup artist at a funeral parlor.
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