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Child Psychologist Salary in the United States

How much does a Child Psychologist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Child Psychologist in the United States is $129,188 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $143,526
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,584 to $136,693
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,019
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Child Psychologist Salaries

A Child Psychologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Child Psychologist 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 Child Psychologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $143,037.
  • California: $142,494.
  • Massachusetts: $140,595.

Top Paying Cities for Child Psychologists

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: $162,945
  • San Francisco: $161,161
  • Oakland: $157,764

What Skills Can Increase a Child Psychologist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 4.96% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • CPA (Mentioned in 4.3% Job Postings): A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals.
  • Geriatrics (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): Geriatrics, or geriatric medicine, is a medical specialty focused on providing care for the unique health needs of older adults. The term geriatrics originates from the Greek geron meaning "old man", and iatros meaning "healer".
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.96%
CPA 4.3%
Geriatrics 2.71%
See More Skills

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 Child Psychologist's salary.

  • Healthcare Services: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Healthcare Services $144,691
12%
Patient Care $142,107
10%
Interpersonal Communication $140,815
9%
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Child Psychologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Child Psychologist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Child Psychologist positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Child Psychologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Child Psychologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$167,944$81.030%
Biotechnology$142,107$68.010%

Child Psychologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Child Psychologist'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 September 01, 2026
$117,584
Average $129,188/year
$136,693
$9,799
Average $10,766/month
$11,391
$2,261
Average $2,484/week
$2,629
$57
Average $62/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $136,693 $11,391 $2,629 $66
Average $129,188 $10,766 $2,484 $62
25th Percentile $117,584 $9,799 $2,261 $57

Most common benefits for Child Psychologist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Child Psychologist

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

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FAQ about Child Psychologist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Child Psychologist?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Child Psychologist roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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.)

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

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