Clinical and Counseling Psychologists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists fall under the Life, Physical, and Social Science category in the U.S. occupational classification. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists earn a median salary of $95,830 per year, ranking in the top 16% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +11.2% job growth through 2034, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do clinical and counseling psychologists earn?

The median annual wage for clinical and counseling psychologists is $95,830. That puts clinical and counseling psychologists at #129 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is clinical and counseling psychologists a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for clinical and counseling psychologists is +11.2%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 76K positions in 2024 to 84K in 2034, a net change of 8K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.

What do clinical and counseling psychologists do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working clinical and counseling psychologists, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
2. 2.Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.
3. 3.Obtain and study medical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewing individuals, couples, or families and by reviewing records.
4. 4.Consult reference material, such as textbooks, manuals, or journals, to identify symptoms, make diagnoses, or develop approaches to treatment.
5. 5.Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
6. 6.Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans or diagnoses as necessary.
7. 7.Develop and implement individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy.
8. 8.Refer clients to other specialists, institutions, or support services as necessary.

Top skills for clinical and counseling psychologists

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become clinical and counseling psychologist?

The standard path into clinical and counseling psychologists begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Physicists
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• Political Scientists
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• Astronomers
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• Physical Scientists, All Other
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• Psychologists, All Other
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• Economists
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Common questions parents ask about clinical and counseling psychologists