Sports Psychologist Salary

A Sports Psychologist helps individual athletes and sometimes entire teams perform better within their chosen sport. These practitioners teach athletes psychological techniques to improve their mental fortitude. And with a stronger mind, sports stars can practice harder and better navigate the difficulties and pressure placed on them to win.

How much do Sports Psychologists make?

On average, Sports Psychologists earn $72,255, but this number varies greatly depending on where they work. Sports Psychologists who are in private practice have different salaries than those working with a specific team. Even the team-specific psychologists will make different amounts depending on if they work with college-level athletes, compared to professional ones.

Which States Have the Best Pay For Sports Psychologists?

Surprisingly, Sports Psychologists in Alaska report the highest salaries. On average, psychologists in the land of the midnight sun earn $84,258 annually. Because Alaska is so isolated, it has a high cost of living. This isolation may also influence pay since the state may need to draw in Sports Psychologists to work there.

The second spot where Sports Psychologists earn a hefty salary is California. Practicing Sports Psychology in this state means getting $83,957 on average. If you aren’t a fan of the cold and don’t mind dealing with traffic, this state is a great place to create a strong career.

Washington D.C. is in third place for average Sports Psychology salary. In this coastal spot, Sports Psychologists reported $83,604 for their median salary.