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Forensic psychologist salary
Average forensic psychologist salary
$83,065
Understanding Forensic Psychologist Salaries
The role of a forensic psychologist blends psychology and law, making it a unique and vital profession. According to recent data, the average salary for this role is $83,065 annually, translating to about $40 per hour. However, salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience level, and the specific industry in which one works.
Factors Influencing Salaries
Forensic psychologists in high-demand areas or specialized fields may command higher salaries. For instance, states like California and New York typically offer higher compensation due to the cost of living and demand for mental health services. Additionally, those with advanced degrees or certifications may find themselves in positions with greater earning potential.
Career Opportunities in Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychologists can work in various settings, including law enforcement, correctional facilities, and private practice. By exploring job opportunities through platforms like Zippia, individuals can find positions that suit their career aspirations while also gathering vital salary information. Understanding market trends is essential for making informed decisions about your career path in this dynamic field.
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Where can a Forensic Psychologist earn more?
Forensic psychologist salary estimates from across the web
Average forensic psychologist salary by state
The average forensic psychologist salary in California, Delaware, and Washington are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average forensic psychologist salary states are South Carolina, West Virginia, and South Dakota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for forensic psychologists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | $111,367 | $53.54 |
| 2 | California | $114,588 | $55.09 |
| 3 | Washington | $110,948 | $53.34 |
| 4 | Illinois | $95,083 | $45.71 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $104,604 | $50.29 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $103,858 | $49.93 |
| 7 | Virginia | $96,309 | $46.30 |
| 8 | Nevada | $89,449 | $43.00 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $97,161 | $46.71 |
| 10 | Maryland | $91,314 | $43.90 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $89,109 | $42.84 |
| 12 | Ohio | $88,354 | $42.48 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $85,562 | $41.14 |
| 14 | Oregon | $87,308 | $41.98 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $94,086 | $45.23 |
| 16 | Utah | $90,552 | $43.53 |
| 17 | Colorado | $89,062 | $42.82 |
| 18 | Vermont | $93,071 | $44.75 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $88,756 | $42.67 |
| 20 | Louisiana | $88,480 | $42.54 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $89,087 | $42.83 |
| 22 | Rhode Island | $86,792 | $41.73 |
| 23 | Indiana | $83,114 | $39.96 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $80,743 | $38.82 |
| 25 | Alaska | $85,958 | $41.33 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $77,668 | $37.34 |
| 27 | New York | $85,092 | $40.91 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $87,002 | $41.83 |
| 29 | North Dakota | $80,926 | $38.91 |
| 30 | Arizona | $77,199 | $37.11 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $76,129 | $36.60 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $73,929 | $35.54 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $77,479 | $37.25 |
| 34 | Texas | $79,497 | $38.22 |
| 35 | Idaho | $84,002 | $40.39 |
| 36 | Michigan | $76,819 | $36.93 |
| 37 | Georgia | $74,745 | $35.94 |
| 38 | Montana | $69,089 | $33.22 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $56,054 | $26.95 |
| 40 | Kansas | $72,944 | $35.07 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $72,528 | $34.87 |
| 42 | Alabama | $74,006 | $35.58 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $66,256 | $31.85 |
| 44 | Iowa | $74,157 | $35.65 |
| 45 | Maine | $70,706 | $33.99 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $65,973 | $31.72 |
| 47 | Missouri | $67,523 | $32.46 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $66,236 | $31.84 |
| 49 | Florida | $63,407 | $30.48 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $66,495 | $31.97 |
| 51 | Kentucky | $65,592 | $31.53 |
Highest paying cities for forensic psychologists
The highest-paying cities for forensic psychologists are Santa Rosa, CA, Olympia, WA, and New Bedford, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $127,409 | $61.25 |
| 2 | Olympia, WA | $112,258 | $53.97 |
| 3 | New Bedford, MA | $98,144 | $47.18 |
| 4 | Pueblo, CO | $90,380 | $43.45 |
| 5 | Massillon, OH | $89,287 | $42.93 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $89,093 | $42.83 |
| 7 | Concord, NH | $86,465 | $41.57 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $77,739 | $37.37 |
| 9 | Atlanta, GA | $75,368 | $36.23 |
| 10 | Pembroke Pines, FL | $62,584 | $30.09 |
Forensic psychologist salary details
A forensic psychologist's salary ranges from $56,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $121,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a forensic psychologist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $121,000 | $10,083 | $58 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,000 | $8,417 | $49 |
| Average | $83,065 | $6,922 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| 10th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
Highest paying forensic psychologist jobs
The highest paying types of forensic psychologists are psychologist, clinical psychologist, and developmental psychologist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychotherapist | $69,921 | $5,827 | $33.62 | 20,520 |
| Health Psychologist | $81,412 | $6,784 | $39.14 | 58,741 |
| Psychologist | $97,803 | $8,150 | $47.02 | 12,516 |
| Clinical Psychologist | $97,659 | $8,138 | $46.95 | 69,762 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for forensic psychologists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Terry Pettijohn Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology, Gupta College of Science
Which companies pay forensic psychologists the most?
Forensic psychologist salaries at Wellpath and The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average forensic psychologist salary at companies like UT Health East Texas and Colorado State Express are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellpath | $94,539 | $45.45 |
| 2 | The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD | $93,769 | $45.08 |
| 3 | UT Health East Texas | $90,478 | $43.50 |
| 4 | Colorado State Express | $87,287 | $41.96 |
| 5 | Minnesota Judicial Branch | $86,802 | $41.73 |
| 6 | Wexford Health Sources | $79,610 | $38.27 |
| 7 | Central Transport | $77,837 | $37.42 |
| 8 | Fort Bend County | $75,675 | $36.38 |
| 9 | GPAC | $73,420 | $35.30 |
| 10 | Washington State University | $70,958 | $34.11 |
| 11 | State Bar of Michigan | $60,085 | $28.89 |
| 12 | Liberty Healthcare | $57,685 | $27.73 |
| 13 | State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia | $49,371 | $23.74 |
| 14 | Colorado Department of Transportation | $45,428 | $21.84 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $43,896 | $21.10 |
| 16 | Georgia Department of Education | $35,156 | $16.90 |
| 17 | State of Ohio | $34,469 | $16.57 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Forensic Psychologist salary by industry
The average forensic psychologist salary varies across industries:
- The average forensic psychologist salary in the manufacturing industry is $101,586, the highest of any industry.
- The average forensic psychologist salary in the finance industry is $86,786.
- Forensic psychologists in the government industry earn an average salary of $63,642, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for forensic psychologists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $101,586 | $48.84 |
| 2 | Professional | $86,786 | $41.72 |
| 3 | Health Care | $85,053 | $40.89 |
| 4 | Government | $63,642 | $30.60 |
High paying forensic psychologist jobs
Forensic psychologist salary trends
The average forensic psychologist salary has risen by $12,384 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average forensic psychologist earned $70,681 annually, but today, they earn $83,065 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for forensic psychologists over the last decade.
Compare forensic psychologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average forensic psychologist salary over time
Compare forensic psychologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Forensic psychologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $83,100 | $39.93 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $79,900 | $38.43 | +1.0% |
| 2023 | $79,100 | $38.04 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $76,800 | $36.90 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | $75,200 | $36.13 | +1.2% |
Recently added forensic psychologist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Virginia | Forensic Psychologist | Danville, VA | 06/28/2025 | $123,326 |
| Texas Health & Human Services Commission | Psychologist III-Forensic Evaluator | Wichita Falls, TX | 06/26/2025 | $117,397 |
| State of Washington | Dshs Bhha Psychologist-Forensic Evaluator | Ione, WA | 06/25/2025 | $117,120 |
| Amergis | LSW-Forensic Psych | Pueblo, CO | 06/20/2025 | $96,002 |
| Mecklenburg County, Nc | Clinical/Forensic Psychologist (Criminal Justice Services Department) | Boone, NC | 06/04/2025 | $82,673 |
| State of Oklahoma | Forensic Psychologist II | Cole, OK | 06/02/2025 | $96,315 |
| State of Virginia | Forensic Psychologist | Danville, VA | 05/30/2025 | $109,734 |
| Minnesota Judicial Branch | Senior Clinical Forensic Psychologist, Hennepin, Psychological Services Division (2 Positions) | Minneapolis, MN | 05/28/2025 | $96,612 |
| Wellpath | Forensic Psychologist | Conroe, TX | 05/19/2025 | $93,600 |
| Texas Health & Human Services Commission | Psychologist III-Forensic Evaluator | Harlingen, TX | 05/16/2025 | $84,182 |
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