As of July 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Psychologist - M.A. in the United States is $46, which translates to an annual salary of about $95,221.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Psychologist - M.A.'s salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Psychologist - M.A.'s salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) | 0-0 years | $64,444 |
| Psychologist - M.A. | 7+ years | $95,221 |
| Psychologist - Ph.D. | 7-10 years | $130,307 |
| Psychological Services Director | 10+ years | $126,377 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Psychologist - M.A.s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduling | 7.69% |
| Patient Care | 3.73% |
| Social Work | 1.71% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Healthcare Services
|
$101,886 |
7%
|
|
Patient Care
|
$99,982 |
5%
|
|
Clinical Supervision
|
$99,030 |
4%
|
|
Integrity
|
$98,078 |
3%
|
|
Teamwork
|
$98,078 |
3%
|
|
Pediatric
|
$98,078 |
3%
|
Psychologist - M.A. salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $107,112. While startup companies pay approximate $90,951.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $90,951 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $96,093 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $103,533 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $107,112 |
For Psychologist - M.A. roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Psychologist - M.A. positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Psychologist - M.A. as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $142,832 | $69.0 | 50% |
| Biotechnology | $114,265 | $55.0 | 20% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Psychologist - M.A.s enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Psychologist - M.A. with a Bachelor's Degree is between $93,629 and $101,536).
Psychologist - M.A. Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 0.8% |
| Associates | 1.4% |
| Bachelors | 12.2% |
| Masters | 24.3% |
| Doctorate | 61.0% |
Understanding how a Psychologist - M.A.'s annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026Salaries for a Psychologist - M.A. can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $87,895 in 2023 to around $86,773 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Psychologist - M.A. salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $87,895 |
| 2024 | $87,064 |
| 2025 | $86,773 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Psychologist - M.A. roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.
Evaluates patients for mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Diagnoses disorders, including nature and extent, and determines the appropriate course of treatment for the patient. Uses talk therapy to treat patient illness or distress, cannot prescribe medication. Requires a master's degree in clinical psychology. Requires a valid state license to practice. Typically reports to a medical director. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Scheduling: Scheduling is the process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production process or manufacturing process.
Patient Care: Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
Social Work: Social work is an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals, families, groups and communities in an effort to enhance social functioning and overall well-being. Social functioning is the way in which people perform their social roles, and the structural institutions that are provided[by whom?] to sustain them. Social work applies social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, political science, public health, community development, law, and economics, to engage with client systems, conduct assessments, and develop interventions to solve social and personal problems; and to bring about social change. Social work practice is often divided[by whom?] into micro-work, which involves working directly with individuals or small groups; and macro-work, which involves working with communities, and - within social policy - fostering change on a larger scale.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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