Psychologist or LCSW Salary in the United States

How much does a Psychologist or LCSW make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Psychologist or LCSW in the United States is $96,462 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, a Psychologist or LCSW's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $110,143
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $86,510 to $103,623
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,449
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View as table View as graph 25% $86,510 10% $77,449 90% $110,143 75% $103,623 $96,462 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Psychologist or LCSW Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $103,623 $8,635 $1,993 $50
Average $96,462 $8,039 $1,855 $46
25th Percentile $86,510 $7,209 $1,664 $42
Check out Psychologist or LCSW Job Openings in the United States
Physician Oncology Ohio Permanent Associate Medical Director

eviCore healthcare - Columbus, OH

Physician Neurology Ohio Locum Tenens Locums Physician

MD Staff, LLC - Columbus, OH

Local CDL

C.R. England - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Psychologist or LCSW Salaries

A Psychologist or LCSW'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 Do Psychologist or LCSW Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 or LCSWs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $106,803.
  • California: $106,398.
  • Massachusetts: $104,980.

Top Paying Cities for Psychologist or LCSWs

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: $121,668
  • San Francisco: $120,336
  • Oakland: $117,800

What Skills Can Increase a Psychologist or LCSW'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 or LCSW'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
$103,214
7%
Patient Care
$101,285
5%
Clinical Supervision
$100,321
4%
Integrity
$99,356
3%
Teamwork
$99,356
3%
Pediatric
$99,356
3%
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Psychologist or LCSW Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Psychologist or LCSW 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 or LCSW positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Psychologist or LCSW as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Psychologist or LCSW

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$144,693$70.050%
Biotechnology$115,755$56.020%

How Education impacts a Psychologist or LCSW's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Psychologist or LCSWs 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 or LCSW with a Bachelor's Degree is between $93,629 and $101,536).

Psychologist or LCSW Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Psychologist or LCSW
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 or LCSW Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Psychologist or LCSW'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Psychologist or LCSW

Salaries for a Psychologist or LCSW can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $88,563 in 2023 to around $87,433 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Psychologist or LCSW salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Psychologist or LCSW Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$88,563
2024
$87,726
2025
$87,433
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $88,563
2024 $87,726
2025 $87,433
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Psychologist or LCSW

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Psychologist or LCSW

Here are companies hiring for Psychologist or LCSW and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Psychologist or LCSW Job

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

United States
  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    15 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    16 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    17 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    18 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    18 Days Ago

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FAQ about Psychologist or LCSW

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Psychologist or LCSW?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Psychologist or LCSW roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

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.)

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