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Chief psychologist salary
Average chief psychologist salary
$100,193
Understanding Chief Psychologist Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Chief Psychologist stands at $100,193 per year, with a corresponding hourly wage of approximately $48. Salaries can vary based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific sector of employment. For instance, chief psychologists in urban areas often command higher salaries compared to those in rural settings.
Factors Impacting Salary
In addition to location, the field of specialization greatly affects earnings. Chief Psychologists working in healthcare settings tend to see different compensation structures than those in educational or corporate environments. Experience also plays a critical role; professionals with more years in the field typically earn higher salaries.
Regional Salary Variations
States offering the highest salaries for Chief Psychologists include California, New York, and Texas, where demand for mental health services is significant. Understanding these regional differences can help candidates make informed decisions about relocation or job opportunities.
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Where can a Chief Psychologist earn more?
Chief psychologist salary estimates from across the web
Average chief psychologist salary by state
The highest-paying states for chief psychologists are California, Nevada, and Washington. The lowest average chief psychologist salary states are Vermont, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for chief psychologists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $138,960 | $66.81 |
| 2 | Nevada | $118,579 | $57.01 |
| 3 | Washington | $117,683 | $56.58 |
| 4 | Oregon | $101,416 | $48.76 |
| 5 | Virginia | $104,550 | $50.26 |
| 6 | New Mexico | $100,516 | $48.33 |
| 7 | Maine | $104,681 | $50.33 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $100,577 | $48.35 |
| 9 | Idaho | $109,802 | $52.79 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $97,127 | $46.70 |
| 11 | Maryland | $99,421 | $47.80 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $98,162 | $47.19 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $101,508 | $48.80 |
| 14 | Delaware | $89,091 | $42.83 |
| 15 | Colorado | $96,054 | $46.18 |
| 16 | Alaska | $92,681 | $44.56 |
| 17 | Arizona | $86,886 | $41.77 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $90,390 | $43.46 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $96,139 | $46.22 |
| 20 | Ohio | $89,071 | $42.82 |
| 21 | Utah | $92,222 | $44.34 |
| 22 | New York | $85,327 | $41.02 |
| 23 | Florida | $90,316 | $43.42 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $80,382 | $38.65 |
| 25 | Indiana | $83,152 | $39.98 |
| 26 | Iowa | $83,421 | $40.11 |
| 27 | Montana | $80,426 | $38.67 |
| 28 | Illinois | $80,486 | $38.70 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $83,838 | $40.31 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $80,739 | $38.82 |
| 31 | Missouri | $83,338 | $40.07 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $80,918 | $38.90 |
| 33 | New Jersey | $81,671 | $39.26 |
| 34 | Texas | $80,078 | $38.50 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $79,627 | $38.28 |
| 36 | Minnesota | $80,678 | $38.79 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $76,796 | $36.92 |
| 38 | Kansas | $81,516 | $39.19 |
| 39 | Massachusetts | $77,124 | $37.08 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $81,004 | $38.94 |
| 41 | Michigan | $77,946 | $37.47 |
| 42 | Georgia | $75,320 | $36.21 |
| 43 | Pennsylvania | $77,033 | $37.04 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $75,755 | $36.42 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $78,395 | $37.69 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $65,412 | $31.45 |
| 47 | Vermont | $74,811 | $35.97 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $62,861 | $30.22 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $70,374 | $33.83 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $71,687 | $34.46 |
| 51 | Alabama | $62,180 | $29.89 |
Highest paying cities for chief psychologists
The highest-paying cities for chief psychologists are Palo Alto, CA, Portland, OR, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palo Alto, CA | $144,106 | $69.28 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $100,938 | $48.53 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $85,450 | $41.08 |
| 4 | Neptune, NJ | $81,804 | $39.33 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $80,719 | $38.81 |
| 6 | Columbia, SC | $63,121 | $30.35 |
Chief psychologist salary details
A chief psychologist's salary ranges from $69,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $145,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a chief psychologist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $145,000 | $12,083 | $70 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $10,083 | $58 |
| Average | $100,193 | $8,349 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,000 | $6,833 | $39 |
| 10th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
Highest paying chief psychologist jobs
The highest paying types of chief psychologists are senior staff psychologist, licensed psychologist, and psychologist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Fellow | $69,060 | $5,755 | $33.20 | 59,094 |
| Clinical Psychology Internship | $38,471 | $3,206 | $18.50 | 107,002 |
| Clinical Psychologist-Licensed | $96,135 | $8,011 | $46.22 | 83,526 |
| Research Psychologist | $90,440 | $7,537 | $43.48 | 58,163 |
| Clinical Psychologist | $97,659 | $8,138 | $46.95 | 69,762 |
| Licensed Psychologist | $97,852 | $8,154 | $47.04 | 24,645 |
Top companies hiring chief psychologists now:
Which companies pay chief psychologists the most?
Chief psychologist salaries at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Hackensack Meridian Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average chief psychologist salary at companies like Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare and New York State Restaurant Association are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago | $89,483 | $43.02 |
| 2 | Hackensack Meridian Health | $81,924 | $39.39 |
| 3 | Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare | $79,807 | $38.37 |
| 4 | New York State Restaurant Association | $77,888 | $37.45 |
| 5 | State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia | $54,409 | $26.16 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Chief psychologist salary trends
The average chief psychologist salary has risen by $14,987 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average chief psychologist earned $85,206 annually, but today, they earn $100,193 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for chief psychologists over the last decade.
Compare chief psychologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average chief psychologist salary over time
Compare chief psychologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Chief psychologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $100,000 | $48.17 | +2.0% |
| 2025 | $98,200 | $47.19 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $96,600 | $46.46 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $94,300 | $45.32 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $92,000 | $44.22 | +3.7% |
Recently added chief psychologist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Psychologist (Service Chief) | Dayton, OH | 06/28/2025 | $134,680 |
| Vitalcore Health Strategies | Statewide Chief Psychologist | Dover, DE | 04/20/2025 | $127,342 |
| State of Arkansas | DHS Alexander Chief Psychologist | Booneville, AR | 03/16/2025 | $99,991 |
| Texas Health & Human Services Commission | Chief Psychologist | Vernon, TX | 02/23/2025 | $117,397 |
| Arkansas | DHS Alexander Chief Psychologist | Booneville, AR | 02/18/2025 | $99,991 |
| Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration | Psychologist (Service Chief) | Roseburg, OR | 02/15/2025 | $144,000 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Psychologist (Service Chief) | Roseburg, OR | 02/14/2025 | $155,658 |
| NYS Office of Children and Family Services | Chief Psychologist | Rensselaer, NY | 01/29/2025 | $32,430 |
| State of Arkansas | DHS Alexander Chief Psychologist | Booneville, AR | 01/23/2025 | $99,991 |
| State of Arkansas | DHS Alexander Chief Psychologist | Booneville, AR | 12/12/2024 | $99,991 |
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