Facts

• In 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a wages study showing the median salary for psychologists in the country to be $66,040 per year. The BLS also noted several industries paying psychologists significantly higher-than-average salaries. Leading the country was the consulting-services industry, paying annual mean wages of $102,150 to its psychologists. Temporary employment services also paid higher salaries, at $94,290 per year.
  
  

Location

• No significant pattern emerged from the BLS' review of the top-paying states for psychologist salaries in 2009. New Jersey topped the list with an annual mean wage for the profession of $92,380 per year. Colorado followed with $90,130. California took third place with salaries of $84,600, followed by Ohio, at $80,470 and Rhode Island, at $79,630 per year.
  
  

Considerations

• The path to earning a salary as a psychologist is lengthy. All psychologists require extensive postsecondary education, resulting in a master's or doctoral degree. The American Psychological Association accredits hundreds of programs throughout the U.S., including Arizona State University, Louisiana Tech University, Marquette University, Western Michigan University, University of North Texas, and in Canada at McGill University. Psychologists must pass their state's licensing exam prior to practicing.
  
  

Outlook

• The BLS expects a 12 percent growth rate in employment of psychologists through 2018, adding 19,700 jobs nationwide. The Bureau suggests that psychologists who have attained doctoral degrees will have the most opportunities to secure salaries in the field, as well as psychologists trained to counsel in areas such as military veterans' issues, family matters, geropsychology and children with special needs.