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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.

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Typical progression

  1. Junior Clinical Psychologist

    Entry / Junior

    $60,000

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Clinical Psychologist

    Established

    $92,000

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Clinical Psychologist

    Senior

    $121,000

Key skills

Clinical assessmentEmpathyActive listeningResearch

A typical day

  • Assess and diagnose clients
  • Provide therapy
  • Track treatment progress

Fields of study

Psychology · Clinical Psychology

Top colleges for Social Services

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.

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