Clinical psychology can be a rewarding field if you are interested in the inner workings of others’ minds. Clinical psychology requires years of schooling and training, but may yield a career you enjoy. Learn more about clinical psychology salaries and career opportunities.

Clinical psychology is a professional field that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental, psychosocial, emotional, and behavioral health issues. 

Clinical psychology is a broad, inclusive area of practice, and many clinicians develop expertise in specific populations or concerns, such as child and adolescent mental health, substance use disorders, geropsychology (older adults), neuropsychological and learning-related assessment, and other specialty areas.

Psychologists in this realm may work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to behavioral counseling centers to private practice, delivering services to clients. Others are employed in academic and research settings, studying the causes of mental health issues and various treatment regimens. 

Clinical psychologists who hold a PhD or PsyD are not medical doctors, unlike psychiatrists (MD/DO). Psychiatrists complete medical school and are qualified to prescribe and manage medication as part of mental health treatment.

In most settings, psychologists focus on assessment and psychotherapy and do not perform medical procedures or surgery. While psychologists typically do not prescribe medication, some states and certain federal systems allow specially trained psychologists to prescribe specific psychotropic medications, depending on local laws and additional credentialing requirements. Clinical psychologists, however, are permitted to administer behavioral assessments, diagnose patients, develop treatment plans, and use various treatment protocols, methods, and plans to improve their patients’ health.

As a professional field, clinical psychology encompasses a number of sub-niches and specializations that may allow for opportunities for career success. With psychology jobs growing faster than average, here are a few clinical psychology career options, some of which may require a graduate degree, such as a master’s in clinical psychology: 

Behavioral Health Clinician: Professionals in these roles often work in community health centers, mental health centers, and private clinics/practices, supporting clients managing concerns such as substance use disorders (addictions) and related behavioral health challenges. Education and credentialing requirements vary by employer and state. Some positions (especially substance use counseling roles) may require a bachelor’s degree, while many mental health counseling roles require a master’s degree, supervised clinical training, and, in many cases, state licensure or certification. Depending on the state, exams/standards aligned with national bodies such as NAADAC or IC&RC may be part of the credentialing process.

Child Psychologists: This field attracts those who want to work with youth and children. Responsibilities may include teaching children healthy coping mechanisms, assisting them with emotional distress, helping them overcome destructive mental patterns, and offering academic guidance. An advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, is typically required for working as a psychologist at schools, in private practice, at an inpatient or outpatient facility, in a research laboratory, or in other settings. 

Clinical Case Manager: Clinical case managers often coordinate care for a caseload of clients or patients in settings such as hospitals, behavioral health centers, and specialty clinics (for example, eating disorder programs). In this role, case managers act as a key resource, helping people and families navigate complex situations by connecting them with services, tracking follow-up needs, and advocating for appropriate support.

Education requirements depend on the setting and employer. In some child- and family-serving systems, bachelor’s-level entry is common for caseload-carrying roles, while more clinically oriented roles, especially in healthcare, often align with master’s-level counseling or social work pathways.

Clinical Psychology Adjunct Instructor or Professor: Some clinicians trained in clinical psychology pursue teaching roles at community colleges or four-year institutions. Requirements vary by school and position. In many community college settings, a master’s degree in psychology (or a closely related field) may meet minimum qualifications, and schools often look for relevant teaching or professional experience. At four-year colleges and universities, faculty positions more commonly require a PhD or other doctorate, particularly for roles tied to long-term advancement in academic rank. 

Neuropsychologist: Clinical psychologists in this subspecialty focus on brain function and behavior, assessing cognitive performance to determine brain injury or damage. There are opportunities in many settings, including brain injury centers, stroke treatment, and academic research.

Private Practice Psychologist: Another option for clinical psychologists is to set up their own private practice working with a client base ranging from young adults to families. As a private practitioner, you meet with clients typically in person to help them overcome obstacles to becoming high-functioning individuals. A minimum of a master’s degree is a prerequisite for this private practice psychologist.

Employment of psychologists is projected to increase by 6% from 2024 to 2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), faster than the average for all occupations. 

Demand is expected to be strongest for psychologists working in schools, hospitals, mental health centers (including many behavioral health settings), and social service agencies, according to the BLS. In addition, geriatric mental health and geropsychology are likely to remain important areas of practice as the U.S. population continues to age and the number of adults 65 and older grows. 

School counseling is expected to remain a growing area as schools expand student support services. The BLS projects employment for school and career counselors and advisors to grow 4% from 2024–2034, and recent school reporting shows more students seeking school-based mental health help and increased staff concerns about issues like depression and anxiety in 2024–2025. In practice, school counselors help students address social and behavioral challenges, collaborate with families and educators around special needs, and support students receiving learning-related services by coordinating with school teams and connecting families to appropriate resources (rather than diagnosing learning disabilities themselves).

Finally, there are psychologists in private practice, many of whom work part-time as independent practitioners and set their own hours. Demand for these professionals is high at clinics, government agencies, and businesses seeking counseling support for staff and those they serve.

The median annual wage for psychologists is $94,310, the BLS reports, with clinical and counseling psychologists earning $95,830.

Clinical and counseling psychologist salaries can vary widely by geographic area. Here are some cities where annual mean wages are highest for clinical psychologists, according to BLS data on psychologists (2024):

Here are the states with the highest employment levels in this occupation and the number of clinical psychologists employed, according to BLS data on psychologists (2024):

If you are interested in a career in clinical psychology, take time to explore whether this is the right path for you.

Pursuing a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in clinical psychology for the wrong reasons may result in an unpleasant experience that is costly in terms of your time and money. 

Also consider that there are many distinct disciplines within psychology, all providing different opportunities. So your vetting process should involve looking at the pros and cons of various disciplines like behavioral health, neuropsychology and research. Think about the type of clients you want to work with and the problems you seek to help solve. 

Choosing a career in psychology is a big decision. Salary and job opportunities are just some of the many factors to consider. Job satisfaction and quality of life may also play a role in your decision. 

So ponder how a career in this space will suit your personality and aims before committing. In the end, the best opportunity for you will be the one that brings you the most satisfaction while fulfilling your personal and professional needs. 

Earn an MA in Psychology Online from Pepperdine

Pepperdine University’s online Master of Arts in Psychology program prepares students to pursue doctoral study or a career in human services.

• Open to all undergrad majors
• No GRE required 
• Can be completed in about 18 months

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Information Last Updated: January 2026