Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
SOC: 19-3033 O*NET: 19-3033.00
Median Salary
$95,830
per year
Job Growth
🚀 11.2%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.
What does a Clinical and Counseling Psychologists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$50,470
10th percentile
Early Career
$67,470
25th percentile
Median
$95,830
50th percentile
Experienced
$131,510
75th percentile
Top Earners
$170,150
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$50,470
25th
$67,470
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$95,830
Mean: $106,850
75th
$131,510
90th
$170,150
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $119,680 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $67,470 and $131,510
- •Salary spread is 66.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 72,190 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:76,300
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services59%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners40.9%
Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)38.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+11.2%
Annual Openings:4,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)76,300
Current
2034 (Projected)84,800
+11.2%
+8,500
Employment Change
+11.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Clinical and Counseling Psychologists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
California
11,900 jobs$114,5201.41x
New York
7,190 jobs$99,9101.61x
Pennsylvania
3,850 jobs$90,4501.37x
Illinois
3,470 jobs$97,4701.22x
Massachusetts
3,470 jobs$87,0602.03x
Texas
3,410 jobs$72,3200.53x
Florida
3,230 jobs$84,0200.70x
New Jersey
2,850 jobs$110,1901.43x
Michigan
2,650 jobs$80,0301.29x
North Carolina
2,420 jobs$91,8401.05x
Colorado
1,940 jobs$126,2601.43x
Maryland
1,680 jobs$104,4801.31x
Indiana
1,630 jobs$80,7701.09x
Minnesota
1,490 jobs$102,6501.09x
Missouri
1,490 jobs$86,3401.09x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Social Perceptiveness
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Writing
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Social Perceptiveness
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Writing
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers100%
5 shared skills
Urologists100%
5 shared skills
Audiologists100%
5 shared skills
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators100%
5 shared skills
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates100%
5 shared skills
Neurologists100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Active Learning
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Writing
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Teams
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Sheets
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechZoom
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Teams
Google Sheets
Microsoft Excel
Zoom
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (9)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)General Responsibilities (7)
1
Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, or needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Consult with or provide consultation to other doctors, therapists, or clinicians regarding patient care.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Obtain and study medical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewing individuals, couples, or families and by reviewing records.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists professionals typically have a SIC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.92
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.88
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.84
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.76
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.72
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.36
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.9
Integrity
4.9
Self-Control
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Cooperation
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Social Orientation
4.3
Persistence
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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