Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
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.
Also called: Applied Behavior Science Specialist (ABSS), Assessment Coordinator, Behavior Analyst, Behavior Specialist, Behavior Therapist, Behavioral Analyst
Median pay
$100,580
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$55,170 – $180,960
People employed
75,990
Holland code
SIC
Social · Investigative · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 5.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
The hard parts
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Tight deadlines are common
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (47 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary in every state →
What clinical and counseling psychologists do
- 01Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
- 02Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
- 03Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
- 04Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
- 05Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
- 06Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cooperation
- Achievement Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from clinical and counseling psychologists
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses92% · group pay
- Genetic Counselors87% · −1%
- Clinical Nurse Specialists84% · group pay
- Marriage and Family Therapists83% · −33%
- Occupational Therapists82% · 0%
Majors that lead here
- Psychology, General
- Developmental and Child Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Clinical Child Psychology
- Geropsychology
- Health/Medical Psychology
- Family Psychology
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.