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Clinical therapist salary
Average clinical therapist salary
$57,864
Understanding Clinical Therapist Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Clinical Therapist stands at $57,864 annually. Compensation varies widely across the United States, influenced by geographic location, years of experience, and the specific area of practice. For instance, therapists with specialized skills in areas like child psychology or substance abuse may command higher salaries.
In states like California and New York, salaries can exceed the national average, reflecting the demand for mental health services in urban areas. For those just starting their careers, salaries typically begin around $45,000, while experienced therapists can earn upwards of $75,000 annually.
Job opportunities for clinical therapists are robust, with growth projected due to increased awareness of mental health issues. With various employment settings available, including private practice, hospitals, and community mental health organizations, professionals can choose an environment that suits their career goals.
As you explore career options, consider the factors influencing salary and job availability in your desired location. This comprehensive overview provides valuable insights into the financial landscape of clinical therapy.
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Where can a Clinical Therapist earn more?
Clinical therapist salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level clinical therapist | $58,000 | $27.89 |
| Mid-level clinical therapist | $63,200 | $30.40 |
| Senior-level clinical therapist | $72,500 | $34.83 |
Clinical therapist salary estimates from across the web
Average clinical therapist salary by state
The average clinical therapist salary in California, Washington, and Maryland are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average clinical therapist salary states are Florida, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for clinical therapists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $71,621 | $34.43 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | $64,195 | $30.86 |
| 3 | Maryland | $67,984 | $32.68 |
| 4 | Delaware | $64,157 | $30.84 |
| 5 | Arizona | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| 6 | Texas | $61,661 | $29.64 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $58,021 | $27.89 |
| 8 | California | $72,845 | $35.02 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $62,080 | $29.85 |
| 10 | Illinois | $61,058 | $29.35 |
| 11 | Oregon | $63,653 | $30.60 |
| 12 | New York | $65,519 | $31.50 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $62,364 | $29.98 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $62,897 | $30.24 |
| 15 | New Mexico | $62,207 | $29.91 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $57,395 | $27.59 |
| 17 | Idaho | $58,386 | $28.07 |
| 18 | Michigan | $56,423 | $27.13 |
| 19 | Louisiana | $59,200 | $28.46 |
| 20 | Alaska | $64,971 | $31.24 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $57,688 | $27.73 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $58,607 | $28.18 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $55,383 | $26.63 |
| 24 | Massachusetts | $60,912 | $29.28 |
| 25 | Montana | $53,272 | $25.61 |
| 26 | Maine | $51,748 | $24.88 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $54,927 | $26.41 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $59,083 | $28.41 |
| 29 | Kansas | $51,425 | $24.72 |
| 30 | Ohio | $54,863 | $26.38 |
| 31 | Iowa | $52,655 | $25.31 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $54,309 | $26.11 |
| 33 | Utah | $56,495 | $27.16 |
| 34 | Colorado | $52,479 | $25.23 |
| 35 | Georgia | $50,450 | $24.25 |
| 36 | Missouri | $49,639 | $23.86 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $52,800 | $25.38 |
| 38 | Virginia | $53,862 | $25.90 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $54,469 | $26.19 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $51,612 | $24.81 |
| 41 | Alabama | $52,162 | $25.08 |
| 42 | Indiana | $45,301 | $21.78 |
| 43 | Vermont | $49,277 | $23.69 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $48,598 | $23.36 |
| 45 | Nevada | $51,190 | $24.61 |
| 46 | District of Columbia | $53,399 | $25.67 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $45,916 | $22.07 |
| 48 | Florida | $47,354 | $22.77 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $41,711 | $20.05 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $40,871 | $19.65 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $46,532 | $22.37 |
Highest paying cities for clinical therapists
The highest-paying cities for clinical therapists are Los Angeles, CA, Juneau, AK, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $72,505 | $34.86 |
| 2 | Juneau, AK | $66,624 | $32.03 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $65,786 | $31.63 |
| 4 | Appleton, WI | $64,785 | $31.15 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $63,363 | $30.46 |
| 6 | Saint Cloud, MN | $62,794 | $30.19 |
| 7 | Providence, RI | $62,003 | $29.81 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $61,743 | $29.68 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $61,341 | $29.49 |
| 10 | Neptune, NJ | $57,952 | $27.86 |
| 11 | Reading, PA | $57,445 | $27.62 |
| 12 | Flint, MI | $56,609 | $27.22 |
| 13 | Salt Lake City, UT | $56,501 | $27.16 |
| 14 | Cleveland, OH | $55,831 | $26.84 |
| 15 | Wilmington, NC | $54,806 | $26.35 |
| 16 | Charleston, SC | $52,599 | $25.29 |
| 17 | Lakewood, CO | $52,526 | $25.25 |
| 18 | Billings, MT | $51,998 | $25.00 |
| 19 | Columbus, GA | $49,896 | $23.99 |
| 20 | Hollywood, FL | $47,489 | $22.83 |
Clinical therapist salary details
A clinical therapist's salary ranges from $42,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $77,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a clinical therapist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $77,000 | $6,417 | $37 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| Average | $57,864 | $4,822 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| 10th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
Highest paying clinical therapist jobs
The highest paying types of clinical therapists are mental health nurse, clinical psychologist, and counselor/art therapist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Health Technician | $34,611 | $2,884 | $16.64 | 99,503 |
| Mental Health Technician | $32,118 | $2,677 | $15.44 | 103,710 |
| Mental Health Nurse | $106,812 | $8,901 | $51.35 | 86,884 |
| Marriage And Family Therapist | $57,856 | $4,821 | $27.82 | 114,361 |
| Clinician | $60,150 | $5,012 | $28.92 | 105,023 |
| Clinical Social Worker | $63,056 | $5,255 | $30.32 | 124,816 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for clinical therapists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Terry Pettijohn Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology, Gupta College of Science
Top companies hiring clinical therapists now:
Which companies pay clinical therapists the most?
Clinical therapist salaries at CVS Health and The Methodist Home are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average clinical therapist salary at companies like Washington Hospital Healthcare System and Roper St. Francis Healthcare are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CVS Health | $81,749 | $39.30 |
| 2 | The Methodist Home | $72,732 | $34.97 |
| 3 | Washington Hospital Healthcare System | $70,916 | $34.09 |
| 4 | Roper St. Francis Healthcare | $69,306 | $33.32 |
| 5 | Finger Lakes Community Health | $69,152 | $33.25 |
| 6 | Canvas Health | $69,020 | $33.18 |
| 7 | Aegis Therapies | $68,716 | $33.04 |
| 8 | Great Plains Regional Medical Center | $68,095 | $32.74 |
| 9 | Blessing Hospital Emergency Room | $68,055 | $32.72 |
| 10 | Yukon Kuskokwim Health | $68,036 | $32.71 |
| 11 | CovenantHealth | $66,715 | $32.07 |
| 12 | ProMedica Toledo Hospital | $66,371 | $31.91 |
| 13 | Fairview Health Services | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| 14 | Bartlett Regional Hospital | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| 15 | Harris Health System | $65,478 | $31.48 |
| 16 | Mission Regional Medical Center | $65,441 | $31.46 |
| 17 | Queens Health Systems | $64,826 | $31.17 |
| 18 | Hendrick Health | $64,583 | $31.05 |
| 19 | Cook Children's Medical Center | $64,510 | $31.01 |
| 20 | Scripps Health | $64,508 | $31.01 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Clinical Therapist salary by industry
The average clinical therapist salary varies across industries:
- The average clinical therapist salary in the government industry is $54,686, the highest of any industry.
- The average clinical therapist salary in the finance industry is $54,471.
- Clinical therapists in the non profits industry earn an average salary of $52,104, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for clinical therapists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government | $54,686 | $26.29 |
| 2 | Health Care | $54,471 | $26.19 |
| 3 | Professional | $54,277 | $26.09 |
| 4 | Non Profits | $52,104 | $25.05 |
High paying clinical therapist jobs
Clinical therapist salary trends
The average clinical therapist salary has risen by $8,100 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average clinical therapist earned $49,764 annually, but today, they earn $57,864 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for clinical therapists over the last decade.
Compare clinical therapist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average clinical therapist salary over time
Compare clinical therapist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Clinical therapist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57,900 | $27.82 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $56,900 | $27.34 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $55,900 | $26.88 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $55,200 | $26.55 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $54,300 | $26.10 | +1.6% |
Recently added clinical therapist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult & Child Health | Clinical Therapist (Lmhc, Lcsw, Lmft, Lcac) | Franklin, IN | 06/30/2025 | $71,000 |
| Easter Seals New Hampshire | Clinical Therapist-Residential Program | Manchester, NH | 06/30/2025 | $58,240 |
| Lifestance Health | Clinical Therapist-Outpatient | Las Vegas, NV | 06/30/2025 | $76,000 |
| Atrium Family Services | Licensed Clinical Therapist | Charlotte, NC | 06/29/2025 | $93,915 |
| Get It-Healthcare | Clinical Therapist-Remote | Philadelphia, PA | 06/29/2025 | $57,100 |
| Get It-Healthcare | Clinical Therapist-Remote | WFH | Kalamazoo, MI | 06/29/2025 | $69,232 |
| Get It-Healthcare | Clinical Therapist-Remote | WFH | Eugene, OR | 06/29/2025 | $66,784 |
| Compass Health Center | Clinical Therapist | Silver Spring, MD | 06/29/2025 | $60,000 |
| Get It Recruit-Transportation | Adult Clinical Therapist-Remote | WFH | Detroit, MI | 06/29/2025 | $55,000 |
| The Dorm | Clinical Therapist (Licensed) | Washington, DC | 06/29/2025 | $65,000 |
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