Social Services
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental health conditions through assessment and therapy. Deeply human work requiring a doctorate and licensure.
Median salary (BLS)
$92,000
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$60k – $150k
Job outlook
+6% (faster than average)
AI exposure
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $87,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Clinical Psychologist
Education
Typical entry: Doctorate / professional (MD, JD, PhD)
Doctorate (PhD/PsyD) plus supervised hours and licensure.
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$90,200–$411,000
Time to qualify
9 yr
Renewal
$75/yr
- 1
Bachelor's degree
DegreeFour years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.
$40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source
- 2
Doctoral / professional degree (PhD, MD, JD…)
DegreeThree to seven years beyond the bachelor's. PhDs are often funded with a stipend; MD and JD programs are among the most expensive.
$50,000–$260,000 · 4 years source
- 3
State license — supervised hours + exam
LicenseMost counseling and social-work roles (LCSW/LPC pattern) require supervised experience hours and a state exam.
$200–$1,000 · 12 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Clinical Psychologist" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Junior Clinical Psychologist
Entry / Junior
$60,000
~2 yrs to advance
Clinical Psychologist
Established
$92,000
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Senior
$121,000
Key skills
A typical day
- •Assess and diagnose clients
- •Provide therapy
- •Track treatment progress
Fields of study
Psychology · Clinical Psychology
Top colleges for Social Services
Explore all- University of Michigan18% admit · $87,000 grad pay
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill19% admit · $73,000 grad pay
- University of Chicago5% admit · $91,000 grad pay
- Columbia University4% admit · $103,000 grad pay
- University of Wisconsin–Madison49% admit · $72,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.