Salary Information for Child Clinical Psychologist

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Child clinical psychologists are responsible for working with children in a clinical setting or working in research settings or academic environments. As children develop and emotional, mental, or social issues arise, a child clinical psychologist is there to diagnose and help treat these issues or to determine why the issues arise in the first place. This is a growing field with a high level of demand and a great career choice for those who like working with children or trying to understand their behavioral and emotional development.

A child clinical psychologist must be well qualified and compassionate. There is a strict educational commitment involved in pursuing this career choice and anyone thinking of pursuing a career in this field should first take into consideration what all is involved in becoming a successful child clinical psychologist. This isn’t a good career choice for everyone, but for those who meet the criteria necessary to work in an emotionally demanding job, there are substantial benefits. For instance, a child clinical psychologist salary can be quite rewarding in the proper work setting.

Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for child clinical psychologists is roughly $72,310 or $34.77 per hour. The salary range varies greatly depending on location, education, and work environment with top earners bringing home over $109,470. However, even the lowest child clinical psychologist salary is still well above average at $39,270 per year.

In order to earn the most money as a child clinical psychologist, it is important to understand the educational and training requirements necessary to be successful in the field.

Educational Requirements

The first step to becoming a well paid child clinical psychologist is to meet the educational requirements for the job. A doctoral degree and state licensing are both required prior to employment. As with any career that requires graduate level courses, candidates should expect to spend at least 4 – 8 years working toward educational goals. Of course, after a doctoral degree is acquired, passing the National Psychology Licensing Exam is the next step, followed by two years of supervised on-the-job experience.

Job Outlook

A growth rate of 22% is expected through the year 2020 in the field of psychology overall. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is faster than average in comparison to other professions. Due to an ever increasing population means there will be more children in need, it is safe to say child clinical psychologists are going to be in steady demand over the course of the next several years.

Job Duties

Depending on where a child clinical psychologist chooses to work, job duties will vary. Working directly with children to diagnose and treat issues like autism, developmental disorders, and anxiety are just a few of the daily responsibilities of a child clinical psychologist who chooses to work in a clinical setting.

Overview

A child clinical psychologist salary is dependent upon several factors including education, training, and work environment. However, even the lowest paid psychologist still has the potential to make a nice living, especially if he or she chooses the right location to live and work. If helping children while earning good money sounds appealing, a career as a child clinical psychologist may be a great option to consider.