Child Psychologist Salary Guide 2023 – How Much Does a Child Psychologist Earn?

A child psychologist is a professional who specializes in studying and treating the psychological, emotional, and developmental issues of children and adolescents. Learn more about becoming a child psychologist.

The average annual salary for a child psychologist in the United States is around $85,340

Here is how you can expect your potential earnings as a child psychologist to increase over time:

• 0-5 years of experience: $64,060
• 5-10 years of experience: $75,090
• 10-20 years of experience: $91,820
• Over 20 years of experience: $135,780

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Which states have the highest child psychologist salaries?

1. California: $120,050
2. Hawaii: $111,600
3. New Jersey: $102,380
4. New York: $100,760
5. Massachusetts: $99,890

Which cities have the highest child psychologist salaries?

1. San Francisco, CA: $137,290
2. Urban Honolulu, HI: $119,170
3. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA: $117,700
4. Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA: $113,480
5. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: $110,740

How can child psychologists earn more?

Seek out high-paying industries

Child psychologists who work in industries such as healthcare, education, or government may have higher earning potential than those who work in private practice. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, child psychologists who work in educational support services earned an average annual salary of $93,200, while those working in hospitals earned an average of $85,310. Child psychologists working for the federal executive branch earned an average of $116,400 per year, while those working for state government agencies earned an average of $73,670. In comparison, child psychologists in individual and family services, which includes private practices, earned an average of $72,540 per year.

Consider specialization

Child psychologists who specialize in areas such as neuropsychology, trauma, or behavioral disorders may be in higher demand and able to command higher salaries.

Child psychologists who specialize in neuropsychology earn an average annual salary of $91,000, while those specializing in trauma earn an average of $83,000. Child psychologists who specialize in behavioral disorders earn an average of $77,000 per year.

How do child psychologist salaries compare to other psychologists?

• Clinical psychologist – $91,667
• Counseling psychologist – $81,040
• Industrial-organizational psychologist – $112,690