Psychologist Salary in Missouri (2026)
Average Psychologist pay in Missouri
$99,190/year
≈ $48/hour before tax
After tax (single filer)
$74,977/year
$6,248/month · effective tax rate 24.41%
- Federal $12,992
- State $3,633
- FICA $7,588
- Take-home
Pay by role in Missouri
- Forensic / Neuropsychology Specialist$155,000–$245,000
- Hospital Director / Lead Psychologist$155,000–$225,000
- Group Practice Partner$165,000–$285,000
- Senior Clinical Psychologist (PhD/PsyD)$125,000–$185,000
- Pediatric Psychologist$120,000–$175,000
- VA Medical Center Psychologist$115,000–$165,000
See the full tax breakdown
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
Annual Take-Home Pay | $74,977 |
Monthly Take-Home Pay | $6,248 |
Biweekly Take-Home Pay | $2,884 |
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year | $36/hr |
Federal Tax | $12,992 |
State Tax | $3,633 |
FICA Taxes | $7,588 |
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary | 24.41% |
Not all Psychologists earn the same — not even close
Missouri's psychologist market is anchored by Washington University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry (St. Louis, top-15 nationally for NIH psychiatric research funding), BJC HealthCare behavioral (Barnes-Jewish Hospital + St. Louis Children's Hospital pediatric psychology), St. Louis VA Medical Center plus Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital Columbia, University Health Kansas City behavioral, plus the Mizzou clinical psychology PhD program. MO joined the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PsyPact) in 2020 via SB 532 — IN-licensed psychologists can practice telehealth across 39+ compact-member states.
Forensic / Neuropsychology Specialist
$155,000–$245,000
Court-appointed forensic + neuropsych eval · STL + KC legal markets · severe statewide shortage
Hospital Director / Lead Psychologist
$155,000–$225,000
BJC behavioral director · WashU SOM Psychiatry leadership · administrative + clinical
Group Practice Partner
$165,000–$285,000
Senior partner St. Louis or KC group practice · ownership stake + book of business
Senior Clinical Psychologist (PhD/PsyD)
$125,000–$185,000
Most common senior IC band · WashU SOM + medical centers + group practice
Pediatric Psychologist
$120,000–$175,000
St. Louis Children's Hospital (BJC) · Children's Mercy Kansas City · nationally ranked pediatric
VA Medical Center Psychologist
$115,000–$165,000
STL VA + Truman VA Columbia + KC VA · GS-13/14 federal scale plus locality + FERS pension
Mid-Career Psychologist (5-10 yrs)
$95,000–$145,000
Post-licensure private practice + group practice + medical center
New License Psychologist (0-4 yrs)
$75,000–$110,000
Post-doctoral fellowship and supervised practice · MO licensure under State Committee of Psychologists
Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitalist
$135,000–$195,000
BJC + Mercy + SSM psychiatric inpatient units · 24/7 coverage + ECT specialty
School Psychologist
$58,000–$95,000
Major MO public school districts · IEP + behavioral support · NASP credential
Worth knowing: Washington University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry is among the country's strongest academic psychiatry research centers — consistently top-15 nationally for NIH psychiatric research funding, with particularly distinguished programs in mood disorders, addiction, and pediatric psychology integrated with St. Louis Children's Hospital (BJC's nationally ranked pediatric tertiary center). The Mizzou clinical psychology PhD program (Columbia, top-40 nationally) plus Saint Louis University's clinical psychology program plus the University of Missouri Kansas City clinical psychology PhD anchor the IN-licensed psychologist pipeline. MO joined PsyPact in 2020 via SB 532 — IN-licensed psychologists with E.Passport or IPC credentials can practice telehealth and temporary in-person work across 39+ compact-member states. Severe statewide HPSA mental health shortage (~75% of MO counties HPSA-designated for mental health professional shortage as of 2024) drives wage premium across most specialties. The 1% city earnings tax in St. Louis applies to non-resident psychologist wages earned within city limits — WashU SOM Psychiatry (Central West End) faculty + BJC Barnes-Jewish behavioral health practice pay the 1% on wages earned in-city; Mercy Hospital STL + Truman VA Columbia avoid it.
Sources & Methodology
- →IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 — 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction
- →IRS Notice 2025-67 — 2026 retirement-plan contribution limits
- →IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 — 2026 HSA contribution limits
- →Social Security Administration — 2026 Social Security wage base
- →Missouri DOR Form MO-1040ES 2026 - tax rate chart and Missouri standard deduction amounts
- →BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Psychologist wage data for Missouri
Salary figures are market estimates for Psychologists in Missouri and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Missouri 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.
Run your own numbers
- Missouri paycheck calculator → · 401(k), HSA, dependents
- 1099 tax calculator → · self-employment tax 15.3%
- Bonus calculator → · year-end, sign-on, retention
Frequently Asked Questions
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More on Missouri
Salaries by profession, top-paying roles by industry, and an economic breakdown for Missouri in 2026.
Tax brackets, standard deductions, and take-home estimates for Missouri in 2026.
Adjust filing status, 401(k), and city/county tax for your exact 2026 take-home in Missouri.