Forensic Psychologist Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Forensic Psychologist in the United States is $132,404 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $147,067
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,502 to $140,079
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $109,666
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View as table View as graph 25% $120,502 10% $109,666 90% $147,067 75% $140,079 $132,404 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Forensic Psychologist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $140,079 $11,673 $2,694 $67
Average $132,404 $11,034 $2,546 $64
25th Percentile $120,502 $10,042 $2,317 $58
Check out Forensic Psychologist Job Openings in the United States
Psychologist

Naphcare, Inc. - TUCSON, AZ

Psychologist

Spectrum Healthcare Resources - MINOT, ND

Psychologist

Jordan Valley Health - SPRINGFIELD, MO

Search More Forensic Psychologist Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Forensic Psychologist Salaries

A Forensic Psychologist'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Forensic 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: $167,001
  • San Francisco: $165,359
  • Oakland: $161,692

What Skills Can Increase a Forensic 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".
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.96%
CPA 4.3%
Geriatrics 2.71%
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 Forensic 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
$148,292
12%
Patient Care
$145,644
10%
Interpersonal Communication
$144,320
9%
Psychiatric
$142,996
8%
Planning
$141,672
7%
Flexibility
$140,348
6%
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Forensic Psychologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Forensic 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Forensic Psychologist

Salaries for a Forensic Psychologist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $118,329 in 2023 to around $111,484 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Forensic Psychologist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Forensic Psychologist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$118,329
2024
$114,729
2025
$111,484
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $118,329
2024 $114,729
2025 $111,484
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Forensic Psychologist

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

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

Find Your Next Forensic Psychologist Job

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

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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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