Psychologist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Psychologists Make?
Psychologists earn a median annual salary of $117,580 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $51,410 at the 10th percentile to $163,570 at the 90th percentile — a range of $112,160. The highest-paying state is California at $147,650.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,410 |
| 25th percentile | $73,820 |
| Median (50th) | $117,580 |
| 75th percentile | $145,200 |
| 90th percentile | $163,570 |
Psychologist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $147,650 |
| Oklahoma | $147,010 |
| Nevada | $144,390 |
| Nebraska | $137,990 |
| North Carolina | $137,130 |
| South Carolina | $135,950 |
| Tennessee | $135,570 |
| Alabama | $134,370 |
| Kansas | $133,540 |
| Connecticut | $132,040 |
| Ohio | $131,310 |
| South Dakota | $128,560 |
| Massachusetts | $128,180 |
| Arizona | $128,040 |
| Missouri | $127,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $126,460 |
| Virginia | $125,630 |
| New Jersey | $124,800 |
| Kentucky | $124,550 |
| Indiana | $123,880 |
| Iowa | $123,740 |
| Florida | $123,610 |
| Maryland | $123,490 |
| Idaho | $122,720 |
| Washington | $120,080 |
| Colorado | $118,640 |
| Arkansas | $118,600 |
| District of Columbia | $117,960 |
| Georgia | $113,730 |
| New York | $113,730 |
| Louisiana | $113,620 |
| Mississippi | $111,430 |
| Rhode Island | $111,310 |
| Minnesota | $110,190 |
| Wisconsin | $107,540 |
| Utah | $90,270 |
| Oregon | $82,960 |
| Texas | $81,830 |
| Illinois | $81,270 |
| Michigan | $78,670 |
| Vermont | $76,490 |
| New Hampshire | $75,990 |
| Maine | $63,490 |
| West Virginia | $41,900 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Psychologists
Psychologist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$51,410 – $73,820 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$117,580 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$145,200 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $163,570+ |
How to Earn More as a Psychologist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Psychologists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $169,330 — $51,750 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($145,200) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 19-3039.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.