In the United States, psychologists earn on average $93,050 per year. Pay for Canadian psychologists range from C$49,550 ($36,689 USD) to C$149,163 ($110,446 USD), while in the United Kingdom, it generally runs between £31,000 ($38,262 USD) and £98,500 ($121,574 USD). For psychologists in Australia, average annual pay is AU$78,000 ($57,213 USD). The average psychologist salary is CHF87,957 ($87,009 USD) in Switzerland and NOK600,000 ($69,798 USD).
These numbers are for psychologists in general. Read below how specialty of practice, location and experience help shape the compensation of psychologists.
Psychologist Salary Influencers
The salary of psychologists depends on factors such as the diversity of the psychology field, the country of practice and experience. Psychologists work in private practice and for facets of the public sector such as schools, government and even military hospitals or agencies.
1. Industry
Psychologists work in various settings, such as clinics, private practices, schools and the criminal justice system. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says one in three psychologists in the United States are self-employed and one in four work in elementary and secondary schools.
Within each country, psychologists who run their own practices likely will earn more than those in the public sector. In the private sector, psychologists can typically set their own fees for treating clients, consultation or testifying as experts in court proceedings.
2. Geographical Area
| Psychologist Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | Switzerland | Norway |
| Hourly Wage | $44.73 | C$30.24 | £28.85 | AU$37.50 | CHF42.29 | NOK288.46 |
| Annual Wage | $93,050 | C$62,902 | £60,000 | AU$78,000 | CHF87,957 | NOK600,000 |
Psychologist Salary in the US
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that psychologists earn on average $93,050 per year. At least one-fourth make more than $108,500 and the top ten percent earners registered pay above $124,720. As for Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists, the mean salary is $76,040. Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, who work in human resources, marketing, sales and administration issues, are paid, on average, $92,320 per year.
Psychologist Salary in Canada
According to PayScale, Canadian psychologists earn on average C$76,667 per year. In fact, total pay spans from C$49,550 to C$149,163 per year. For clinical psychologists, average earnings stand at C$73,100. Compensation runs between C$42,980 and C$136,010 in the clinical psychology profession.
Psychologist Salary in the UK
In the United Kingdom, salaries for psychologists range from £31,000 to £41,000 for starters, £41,000 to £57,000 for those rated “experienced,” and £58,000 to £98,500 for “highly experienced” psychologists. With regard to clinical psychologists, trainees make £26,250. Those in the experienced category earn between £31,500 and £41,500. For highly experienced clinical psychologists, compensation runs between £82,500 and £99,500.
Psychologist Salary in Australia
The Australian Government reports average weekly pay for psychologists at AU$1,500. This translates to annual pay of AU$78,000.
Psychologist Salary in Switzerland
According to PayScale, psychologists in Switzerland average earnings of CHF87,957 per year. Moreover, PayScale reports that salaries reach as high as CHF119,195 and total pay is as high as CHF242,007.
Psychologist Salary in Norway
Statistics Norway reports that psychologists in the Health Enterprises sector made NOK50,000 per month, translating to NOK600,000 per year.
3. Experience
Typically, psychologists must hold at least a master’s degree and, in many cases, a PhD to practice psychology. In these programs, candidates obtain training or work experience. The experience may depend on specialty. For instance, in the United States, school psychologists participate in 1,200-hour internship programs. Doctoral students work as interns for one year. In the United Kingdom, aspiring psychologists must have experience in the proposed specialty field.
In Canada, becoming a psychologist requires four years work experience and one year in practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
Working Hours
Psychologists generally work full time, though hours can vary slightly by country. For example, in Australia, the average work week lasts 37.3 hours, while the typical work week overall is 40.2 hours.
Normally, work occurs during traditional weekday office hours. Depending on the specialty or field, psychologists will typically practice in a single or particular office, hospital or school. In the role of expert witnesses, psychologists may have to travel to attend court. Psychologists employed by law enforcement agencies may visit crime scenes to gather information for building criminal profiles.
Bonuses & Benefit Packages
Within the United States and Canada, bonuses and most benefits generally are left to employers’ discretion. However, in Canada, employed psychologists are entitled by law to at least two weeks of paid leave per year. Performance and willingness to work in particular areas can determine the award of bonuses.
Psychologists employed in the United Kingdom’s can draw pension benefits starting at age 55. In Australia, a minimum of four weeks of paid annual leave each year and, if applicable, longevity leave, are part of the minimum employment terms. Additionally, Australia has a superannuation program that devotes up to 9.5 percent of earnings for retirement. Norwegian law affords salaried psychologists benefits such as occupational pension, insurance, leave of absence and holiday pay. Switzerland provides a retirement system in which the first two pillars consist of benefits from Old Age and Survivors’ Insurance and similar programs and mandated employer contributions. However, within the third pillar, employer contributions are optional.
Job Outlook
Generally, aspiring psychologists should find ample opportunities for employment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of psychologists should grow by 32,500 jobs, or 19 percent, through 2024. Most of those new jobs, 30,500, are project to be clinical, counseling or school psychologists. The Australian Government projects 10,001 to 25,000 openings for psychologists by November 2019. For certain specialties, such as sports psychology in the United Kingdom, opportunities may be limited.
Challenges such as autism, dementia, cognitive defects, traumatic events such as war, and behavior disorders drive demand for psychologists to study and treat clients. Mental health and stability have been linked to success in education, employment, marriages, families and also social interaction. As such, schools and businesses afford positions for psychologists. The forensic psychology field provides work for those in law enforcement and corrections. For instance, the HM Prison Service constitutes the largest employer of forensic psychologists in the United Kingdom.
Conclusion
To conclude, the psychology field provides a wide array of specialties. With the variety of practice areas and demand for psychological counseling and other services, job opportunities should abound. Pay will depend upon the sector of employment and experience.