General
Clinical Psychology
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Clinical Psychology.
Entry Level Salary
$31,550
Median Salary
$76,692
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
20.7%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,067,680
Entry (Early)
$31,550
Median (Prime)
$76,692
High (Prime)
$76,692
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-172k
+216k
+216k
$25k / yr
-262k
+127k
+127k
$50k / yr
-352k
+37k
+37k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
28
28
$25k / yr
Never
35
35
$50k / yr
Never
50
50
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-241%
116%
116%
$50k / yr
-162%
17%
17%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate67.9%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Social scientists and related workers
10.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$80,000|$92,900
openings
23,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.7%
Therapists, All Other
6.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,692|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists
4.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$63,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$57,480
openings
265,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.6%
Clinical and counseling psychologists
4.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$25,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$124,950|$95,830
openings
4,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +11.2%
Management occupations
3.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$43,733
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$84,341|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Counselors, all other
3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$35,867
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,063|$49,830
openings
7,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +12.6%
Postsecondary teachers
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$12,979
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,691|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Medical and health services managers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$29,988
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$29,988|$117,960
openings
62,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +23.2%
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,000|$65,140
openings
31,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.5%
School psychologists
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,275
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$82,000|$86,930
openings
3,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.7%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Undergraduate Pathway Guidance
Clinical psychology requires graduate study. Undergraduate students prepare by earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.