How much money do clinical psychologists make annually?

Answer 1

It depends upon the setting in which the psychologist works. In some states, the salaries are in the range of $75K-$90K annually. For some clinical psychs in private practice, the amount is significantly higher. However, in some areas and particularly with small non-profit agencies, the salaries can be very much lower, in the $40-$50K per year range. Often, the clinical psych can supplement his/her salary with limited private practice, but some agencies have "no moonlighting" clauses in their employment policies that prevent someone from also doing private practice and consultation. So--it really depends on where you work, how much you choose to work, and whether you do private practice and consultation or work for a government agency, not-for-profit agency, or some a clinical practice group.

When I worked in a jail setting doing emergencies and intake with the prisoners who had just come in (in Northern California), I was paid $35-$55 per hour. I worked an average of only 20 hours weekly, and my net was $700 per week. I was also working on another graduate degree (in a field outside of psych), so that was the most that I could work.

In private practiced, depending upon the contracts that one is able to attain with insurance companies, a clinical psych can make anywhere from $50 to $150 for a 50-minute session. But for each contact hour with a patient/client, you also put in an average of 1/2 to 1 hour of additional work with forms, reports, progress notes, treatment planning and so on. When I worked for one private psychiatric/psychological practice in So. California, we were required to book at least 36 contact hours each week (combined group and individual sessions), and were paid 60% of the billed rate (averaged out to around $35 per hour). But when I worked for a county mental health agency as a Clinical Supervisor, my base salary was $75K and I received additional incentives and bonuses averaging $25K. Part-time (16-24 hrs/wk) private practice and consultation brought in an additional $40K.

There are agencies, though, that do work that is so needed in our communities that are under-funded and cannot afford to pay as much to their psychs. Some clinical psychs choose to work for these agencies at really scandalously (is that a word?) low salaries for their education and training--and compared to what they could make in other positions. These agencies are usually small and in poverty-level, often dangerous neighborhoods. For some of these agencies, a salary of $20/hr is average to high, for 40-hr + work weeks.

So--long answer short--depends on where you work!

Answer 2

Most psychologists charge at least $150 per hour. Naturally, they have to rent offices and hire receptionist and do a little marketing. It takes a while to build a practice initially, but once they are fully booked, they can raise rates some, and it should be rather easy to earn over $100,000 annually. Civil servant clinical psychologists may earn less.

Answer 3

If they don't earn at least $100K, they aren't working.