Psychologist Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions through psychotherapy, neuropsychological assessment, research, and consultation across clinical, school, and organizational settings.
National Median
$110,000
Best State (Net)
$89,491
Alaska
Take-Home TX
$85,973
No state tax
Job Growth
6%
Key Facts — Psychologist 2026
BLS median: $117,750 for clinical/counseling/school psychologists (BLS May 2023 OES)
PhD/PsyD path is 5–7 years before licensure — substantial time investment
Manhattan cash-pay practitioners charge $300–$500/hour, full caseloads
NYC psychoanalytic training tradition is uniquely concentrated globally
Telehealth has expanded practice options; PSYPACT compact eases multi-state work
Salary by Experience Level
Postdoctoral Fellow
$65,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$54,276
1–2 years post-PhD; required for licensure
Licensed Psychologist (Early)
$95,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$75,421
First 1–5 years post-licensure
Senior Clinician (5+ yrs)
$130,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$99,857
Cash-pay urban or specialty practice
Practice Owner / Director
$175,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$130,615
Group practice owner or hospital director
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Neuropsychologist | $154,000 | +40% |
| Industrial-Organizational (I/O) | $143,000 | +30% |
| Forensic Psychologist | $137,500 | +25% |
| Health Psychology | $132,000 | +20% |
| Clinical (Cash-Pay Urban) | $148,500 | +35% |
| School Psychologist | $99,000 | -10% |
Best States for Psychologists — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Psychologist Salary by State — All 50 States
Take-home estimates for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Gross Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $115,000 | $89,491 | |
| $115,000 | $89,491 | |
| $128,000 | $87,981 | |
| $120,000 | $87,758 | |
| $120,000 | $85,816 | |
| $118,000 | $85,040 | |
| $115,000 | $84,491 | |
| $105,000 | $82,456 | |
| $110,000 | $81,461 | |
10Colorado | $108,000 | $80,474 |
| $102,000 | $80,345 | |
| $102,000 | $80,345 | |
13Virginia | $108,000 | $79,219 |
| $105,000 | $78,856 | |
15Arizona | $102,000 | $78,170 |
16Illinois | $105,000 | $78,001 |
| $102,000 | $77,674 | |
| $98,000 | $77,531 | |
19Delaware | $105,000 | $77,506 |
20Hawaii | $108,000 | $76,196 |
21Ohio | $100,000 | $75,963 |
22Oregon | $108,000 | $75,359 |
23Michigan | $100,000 | $75,326 |
| $100,000 | $74,901 | |
| $94,000 | $74,717 | |
| $100,000 | $74,433 | |
27Georgia | $100,000 | $74,272 |
28Utah | $98,000 | $73,755 |
| $105,000 | $73,591 | |
| $92,000 | $73,310 | |
| $95,000 | $72,021 | |
32Missouri | $95,000 | $71,461 |
33Kansas | $95,000 | $71,421 |
| $92,000 | $71,385 | |
35Indiana | $92,000 | $70,885 |
36Idaho | $95,000 | $70,781 |
37Nebraska | $95,000 | $70,749 |
| $88,000 | $70,496 | |
| $95,000 | $70,301 | |
40Alabama | $92,000 | $70,230 |
| $92,000 | $70,153 | |
42Kentucky | $92,000 | $69,845 |
43Maine | $95,000 | $69,701 |
44Oklahoma | $92,000 | $69,653 |
45Vermont | $95,000 | $69,341 |
46Iowa | $92,000 | $68,921 |
47Montana | $92,000 | $68,767 |
48Arkansas | $88,000 | $67,284 |
| $85,000 | $65,586 | |
| $85,000 | $65,236 |
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Psychologist
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Psychologist Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$70,230
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$89,491
net
Arizona
$78,170
net
Arkansas
$67,284
net
California
$87,981
net
Colorado
$80,474
net
Connecticut
$84,491
net
Delaware
$77,506
net
FloridaNo state tax
$77,531
net
Georgia
$74,272
net
Hawaii
$76,196
net
Idaho
$70,781
net
Illinois
$78,001
net
Indiana
$70,885
net
Iowa
$68,921
net
Kansas
$71,421
net
Kentucky
$69,845
net
Louisiana
$72,021
net
Maine
$69,701
net
Maryland
$81,461
net
Massachusetts
$87,758
net
Michigan
$75,326
net
Minnesota
$73,591
net
Mississippi
$65,586
net
Missouri
$71,461
net
Montana
$68,767
net
Nebraska
$70,749
net
NevadaNo state tax
$80,345
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$82,456
net
New Jersey
$85,040
net
New Mexico
$70,153
net
New York
$85,816
net
North Carolina
$74,901
net
North Dakota
$71,385
net
Ohio
$75,963
net
Oklahoma
$69,653
net
Oregon
$75,359
net
Pennsylvania
$77,674
net
Rhode Island
$78,856
net
South Carolina
$70,301
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$70,496
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$74,717
net
TexasNo state tax
$80,345
net
Utah
$73,755
net
Vermont
$69,341
net
Virginia
$79,219
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$89,491
net
West Virginia
$65,236
net
Wisconsin
$74,433
net
WyomingNo state tax
$73,310
net