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Psychologist - M.A. Salary in the United States

How much does a Psychologist - M.A. make in the United States?

As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for a Psychologist - M.A. in the United States is $95,267 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, a Psychologist - M.A.'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,665
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $84,986 to $102,280
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,626
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View as table View as graph 25% $84,986 10% $75,626 90% $108,665 75% $102,280 $95,267 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Psychologist - M.A. Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $102,280 $8,523 $1,967 $49
Average $95,267 $7,939 $1,832 $46
25th Percentile $84,986 $7,082 $1,634 $41
Check out Psychologist - M.A. Job Openings in the United States
Psychologist

Spectrum Healthcare Resources - MINOT, ND

Clinical Psychologist

Behavioral Care Solutions - BATTLE CREEK, MI

Clinical Psychologist

Behavioral Care Solutions - PORT HURON, MI

General Psychologist

Hopper Consulting and Staffing LLC - MACCLENNY, FL

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Key Factors That Influence Psychologist - M.A. Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Psychologist - M.A. Salaries?

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:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) (0-0 years): $64,438
  • Psychologist - M.A. (7+ years): $95,267
  • Psychologist - Ph.D. (7-10 years): $130,314
  • Psychological Services Director (10+ years): $126,304
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)0-0 years$64,438
Psychologist - M.A.7+ years$95,267
Psychologist - Ph.D.7-10 years$130,314
Psychological Services Director10+ years$126,304
$64,438 Licensed ...
$95,267 Psycholog...
$130,314 Psycholog...
$126,304 Psycholog...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Psychologist - M.A.s

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $120,160
  • San Francisco: $118,979
  • Oakland: $116,340

What Skills Can Increase a Psychologist - M.A.'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Scheduling (Mentioned in 7.69% Job Postings): Scheduling is the process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production process or manufacturing process.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 3.73% Job Postings): 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 (Mentioned in 1.71% Job Postings): 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Scheduling 7.69%
Patient Care 3.73%
Social Work 1.71%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Psychologist - M.A.'s salary.
  • Healthcare Services: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Clinical Supervision: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Healthcare Services
$101,936
7%
Patient Care
$100,030
5%
Clinical Supervision
$99,078
4%
Integrity
$98,125
3%
Teamwork
$98,125
3%
Pediatric
$98,125
3%
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How Education impacts a Psychologist - M.A.'s Salary?

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

Typical Education for Psychologist - M.A.
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%
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Psychologist - M.A. Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 February 01, 2026

Psychologist - M.A. Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Psychologist - M.A., the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Psychologist - Ph.D. role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $130,314 - a projected growth of 37% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Psychologist - M.A.

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Psychologist - M.A.

Here are companies hiring for Psychologist - M.A. and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Psychologist - M.A. Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Psychologist - M.A. job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Psychologist - M.A.

1. Where can a Psychologist - M.A. earn the most?

A Psychologist - M.A.'s earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Psychologist - M.A. earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Psychologist - M.A. is $120,160.

2. What is the highest pay for Psychologist - M.A.?

The highest pay for Psychologist - M.A. is $108,665.

3. What is the lowest pay for Psychologist - M.A.?

The lowest pay for Psychologist - M.A. is $75,626.

4. What are the responsibilities of Psychologist - M.A.?

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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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