How Much Do Psychologists Make In NYC? - CounselingWise (2024)

Think NYC might be the right place for you to practice psychology? Affectionately known as the “City that Never Sleeps”, the rich diversity and culture of NYC might make it seem like a fascinating place to work as a psychologist. But what is the job market like?

The median salary for a psychologist in NYC is roughly $89,000, higher than most places in the United States. Read on to discover more about the salary, the job market, and the licensing requirements for psychologists in NYC.

How Much Do Psychologists Make In NYC?

The average salary for a psychologist in NYC is roughly $102,000 per year. The median salary for a psychologist in NYC is around $89,000. For those working in New York, Newark, and Jersey City, the median is higher again: just over $92,000.

Of course, these are only rough figures, and there are many psychologists working on either end of the spectrum. A psychologist with limited experience in NYC might expect to earn closer to $70,000, while a psychologist with upwards of 10 years experience can earn more than $151,000.

Your salary will also be highly dependent on where you practice. While NYC is home to some high income private clinics, this is a small area with a massive diversity. It’s estimated that the salary for psychologists in NYC can range from $23,423 to $209,357.

And, of course, you have to factor in the number of clients you treat. Overall, the salary for a psychologist in NYC is slightly higher than the average expected salary for a psychologist across the U.S., but the exact salary figure is hugely variable. And for a private practice psychologist, the paycheck can be unpredictable.

How Does This Compare To The Rest Of The USA?

NYC ranks higher than many other states, with a median salary of $92,000 for psychologists. A psychologist in NYC can also expect to earn more than psychologists elsewhere in New York State.

California is the only state with consistently higher median wages in city and metro areas, and the median salary for psychologists in California is $100,850. When considering the cities with the highest average salary for psychologists, California dominates the list (although New York does still rank highly).

Two other states also have a higher median psychologist wage: Oregon, and Connecticut. While these states do rank higher than NYC, the gap is minimal. California, on the other hand, has a significantly higher median.

At the other end of the scale, psychologists in Oklahoma and West Virginia draw a median salary closer to $50,000.

Keep in mind that while California and New York City do offer a higher median salary, these are also areas with a higher cost of living. If you’re trying to decide where to practice, compare the median salary to the average cost of living, for a better idea of overall earnings.

Are There Many Jobs For Psychologists In NYC?

With a higher salary, you can expect there to be a competitive job market for psychologists in NYC. There are roles in both public and private settings for psychologists in NYC, including hospitals, schools, and clinics. Or you might prefer to practice independently.

Both Indeed.com and GlassDoor.com report frequent job postings for psychologists in NYC, from a range of sources.

While this is a highly competitive market, NYC also has many openings for psychologists. These jobs include research facilities and teaching facilities, among the more traditional routes.

What Are The Licensing Requirements For Psychologists In NYC?

There are certain requirements you must meet before you can practice as a licensed psychologist in NYC.

First, you must complete a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) from a license-qualifying doctoral program. These programs are registered with the NYSED OP, and can be found in the Inventory of Registered Programs by the Office of Higher Education.

These programs will include at least 3 years of full-time study, including 1 year of supervised practice, and 2 hours of child abuse training.

Second, to earn your license you must show qualifying experience, complete an exam, and submit and pay for an application.

You must complete at least 2 years of full-time supervised experience post-doctoral degree to qualify for a New York license. This must be completed while holding a limited permit, allowing you to practice psychology under supervision.

With this experience complete, you must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), held by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).

With these requirements complete, you can receive a license to practice psychology in NYC. The license is valid for life, and there are no further education requirements. However, you must pay for renewal every three years.

NYC Licensing By Reciprocity

If you already have a license to work in another state, and you’re thinking of moving to NYC, then you can apply for a New York license by reciprocity (see also ‘New York Psychologist License‘) (see also ‘New York Psychologist License‘) (see also ‘New York Psychologist License‘). If you’ve passed the EPPP already, then these scores can be included with the application.

If you didn’t take the EPPP, but passed a similar exam, you can submit this exam for review.

While you wait for your license, you can apply for a limited permit, allowing you to practice psychology in New York for a set period of time. This will allow you to work in the state for up to 12 months, as you wait for your license to be approved.

Summary

The average wage for a psychologist in NYC is higher than most other places in the United States, and the job market appears to be healthy. However, the cost of living in NYC is also higher than average, so make sure to balance salary and living costs when deciding where to practice.

The diversity and culture of NYC can make it a satisfying place to practice psychology. While the licensing requirements are strict, they are comparable to other states. So, there are many reasons to consider working as a psychologist in NYC.