Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

SOC code 19-3033 · O*NET-SOC 19-3033.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$100,580

a year

Hourly

$48.36

per hour

10th$55,170Median$100,58090th$180,960

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$112,750

$54.21 per hour

Middle 50%

$73,210 – $135,200

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$55,170 – $180,960

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

75,990

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $55,170; $26.53/hr
25th percentile: $73,210; $35.20/hr
Median percentile: $100,580; $48.36/hr
75th percentile: $135,200; $65.00/hr
90th percentile: $180,960; $87.00/hr

What do clinical and counseling psychologists do?

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans or diagnoses as necessary.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold post-doctoral training — 48% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Post-Doctoral Training48%
Doctoral Degree44%
Master's Degree8%

Common questions

How much does a clinical and counseling psychologists earn?

The national median is $100,580 a year. The full range runs from $55,170 at the 10th percentile to $180,960 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a clinical and counseling psychologists without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension4.8/5
Active Listening4.3/5
Writing4.3/5
Critical Thinking4.3/5
Speaking4.1/5
Active Learning3.9/5
Monitoring3.8/5

Knowledge areas

Psychology5.0/5
Therapy and Counseling5.0/5
English Language4.1/5
Education and Training3.9/5
Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
Sociology and Anthropology3.6/5
Law and Government2.8/5
Administration and Management2.8/5

Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving.