How to Become a Clinical Psychologist
Diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders through therapy and assessment. It typically requires a doctoral degree (phd or psyd, doctor of psychology), with a median salary of $100,580 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$100,580/yr
Middle half
$73,210 to $135,200
Job growth
Much faster than average
Openings / yr
4,800
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Psychological Assessment
- Therapy
- Research Methods
- Diagnosis
- Communication
Helpful certifications
- State Licensure
- ABPP Board Certification
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
40/100
Work-life balance
55/100
Stress level
55/100
Satisfaction
78/100
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Clinical Psychologist make?
The median pay for a Clinical Psychologist is $100,580 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $73,210 and $135,200 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Clinical Psychologist?
The usual entry point is a doctoral degree (phd or psyd, doctor of psychology). Common majors are Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Science, Neuroscience, and Cognitive Science.
Is Clinical Psychologist a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is much faster than average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 4,800 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Clinical Psychologist use most?
Common skills for this role are Psychological Assessment, Therapy, Research Methods, Diagnosis, and Communication.
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).