Psychologist salaries: What will I earn?

Psychology underpins every part of the human experience, from relationships and personal development to career progression and sporting performance. Professionally, it’s a uniquely rewarding and far-reaching field, combining deep intellectual curiosity with an ability to make meaningful change in people’s lives.

At a time where an estimated one-fifth of Australians experience a mental health disorder every year, this ability is more crucial than ever for Australia. But if you’re considering a career in this field, you’re probably curious to know: what psychologist salary can I expect to earn?

Knowing the factors that influence a psychologist’s earnings can help you align your career and personal goals with your financial expectations.

It’s worth noting that a degree in psychology can provide transferable skills that help you stand out to potential employers in various industries such as teaching, human resources, marketing, counselling, human services or consulting.

However, if you are interested in working directly with individuals, couples or families to enhance their relationships, improve professional performance and increase their quality of life, the field of psychology presents numerous opportunities.

Whether you’re a working professional considering a career pivot with meaning or are curious about adding psychological expertise to your current role, this guide explores the earning potential across different specialisations, locations, experience levels and industries. Let’s dive in.

What are psychologist salaries by role?

The field of psychology is vast, offering professionals a range of career opportunities that cater to different personal interests, strengths and preferences. Each specialisation has its responsibilities and salary range, which depends upon many factors, which we explore in depth later in this article.

Here, you’ll find an overview of some of the most popular psychology careers and their earning potential in Australia.

General or clinical psychologist

General psychologists focus on assessing and addressing mental health issues in a number of populations, such as disenfranchised youth, couples, working professionals and more.

Working in various settings, including private practice, hospitals or community centres, clinical psychologists often deal with more severe psychological disorders using evidence-based therapies to improve mental health outcomes.

Salary: The median salary in Australia is $116,000, with an average range of $106,000 - $140,000, according to talent.com.

Forensic psychologist

These professionals work at the intersection of psychology and the legal system. Their role may include assessing offenders, providing expert witness testimony, or helping rehabilitate individuals in correctional facilities.

Salary: The median salary in Australia is $115,500, with an average range of $108,500 - $130,000, according to talent.com.

Organisational psychologist

Organisational psychologists apply psychological principles to improve workplace environments, enhance productivity and support employee wellbeing. This specialisation has higher earning potential, as it can directly impact business outcomes.

Often, organisational psychologists can work in-house for financial or legal companies with large budgets.

Salary: The median salary in Australia is $115,000, with an average range of $110,600 - $143,100, according to talent.com.

Clinical neuropsychologist

Neuropsychologists specialise in understanding brain-behaviour relationships. They often work in hospitals or private practice, helping patients with brain injuries, neurological disorders, or cognitive developmental conditions.

Salary: The median salary in Australia is $113,600, with an average range of $108,000 - $124,500, according to talent.com.

Community psychologist

Community psychologists focus on social issues and community development. They work with groups or organisations to design interventions that promote social equity and wellbeing. They often work in community centres and with local government groups.

Salary: The median salary in Australia is $102,400, with an average range of $94,000 - $117,000, according to talent.com.

Counselling psychologist

Counselling psychologists provide therapy for individuals and groups facing challenges such as stress, relationship difficulties, or life transitions. They frequently work in private practice, schools, or healthcare settings.

Salary: The median salary in Australia is $115,000, with an average range of $105,000 - $130,000, according to talent.com.

Sports psychologist

Sports psychologists work with athletes and teams to optimise performance, enhance resilience and manage the mental demands, pressures and stresses of competition, especially at a professional and elite level.

Salary: The median salary in Australia is $88,300, with an average range of $77,500 – $127,500, according to talent.com.

Educational psychologist

Collaborating with schools or educational institutions to support learning and development is at the heart of what educational psychologists do. This can involve designing programs for students with special needs or working with teachers to create supportive learning environments.

Salary: The median salary in Australia is $112,000, with an average range of $102,500 - $120,000, according to talent.com.

Health psychologist

Heath psychologists study how psychological, social, and behavioural factors impact health. They often work in hospitals or public health organisations, focusing on prevention and treatment strategies.

Salary: The median salary in Australia is $112,800, with an average range of $80,000 - $140,000, according to salaryexpert.com.

Comparing psychologist salaries around Australia

As with most industries, salaries in the field of psychology vary by location, reflecting differences in demand, relative cost of living and local funding or psychological services.

The average psychologist's salary range by state and territory is as follows:

• New South Wales (NSW): The average base salary is $91,200, but it’s significantly higher in Sydney at $113,600.
• Victoria (VIC): Average base salary of $91,500, but in Melbourne, the range is higher at $95,000 - $100,000.
• Queensland (QLD): Average base salary of $93,000.
• Western Australia (WA): Average base salary of $100,500 – likely driven up by higher demand in mining and regional areas.
• South Australia (SA): Average base salary of $91,600.
• Tasmania (TAS): Average base salary of $96,300.
• Northern Territory (NT): Average base salary of $96,400.
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Canberra has an average base salary of $95,400.

In many cases, regional areas will pay 10 to 15 per cent less than metropolitan areas, but lower living costs and lifestyle benefits can offset the financial difference. Densely populated urban hubs like Sydney and Melbourne typically offer higher salaries due to higher cost of living and higher demand.

It’s worth noting that regional and remote areas may provide incentives like relocation bonuses or flexible working arrangements to attract qualified psychologists. And often, demand for psychologists can drive salaries up significantly. For instance, current data from Seek.com lists the highest-paying regions for psychologist jobs as Alice Springs, Gosford and Western QLD.

How does experience increase a psychologist’s salary?

Unsurprisingly, level of experience is one of the most significant factors influencing salary growth in psychology. As psychologists gain expertise, they often move into specialised or senior roles which command higher pay.

If you want to unlock more job opportunities and build on your experience, a postgraduate degree from a well-regarded institution like James Cook University's online Graduate Diploma in Psychology or Graduate Certificate in Psychology is a great way to do so.

Undertaking advanced education signals to employers that you’re serious about career progression. It also gives you a significant competitive edge when it comes to securing senior positions and higher pay.

Entry-level psychologists

Average salary: Typically $80,000 - $90,000.

New graduates often start in supervised roles or internships as they build skills and expertise.

Mid-career psychologists

Average salary: Typically $90,000 - $120,000.

With 5-10 years of experience, psychologists can command higher salaries – often moving into senior specialised roles.

Senior psychologists

Average salary: Typically $120,000 - $160,000 and beyond.

Senior psychologists, particularly those in leadership or niche specialisations, see the highest earnings.

Top industries for psychologist salaries

Psychologists can work across diverse settings and industries, each with varying pay scales. Here’s a snapshot comparison of average salaries:

• Healthcare: Typically between $85,000 - $125,000.
• Education and training: Typically between $75,000 - $115,000.
• Community services: Typically between $70,000 - $100,000.
• Government and defence: Typically between $90,000 - $140.000.
• Corporate settings: Typically between $100,000 - $150,000 and beyond.

Corporate roles like organisational psychology typically offer the highest salaries as they can prove a direct impact on profitability and performance in high-paying sectors.

Psychology: Your pathway to a rewarding career

Psychologist salaries in Australia reflect the growing demand for highly qualified professionals who can positively transform lives and communities.

While the potential for impact is high in whichever path you choose, your earning potential can be influenced by many factors – including your chosen specialisation, location, experience, level of education and the industry you work in.

JCU Online’s flexible psychology courses are designed to help you thrive in this purpose-led field.

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology provides foundational knowledge for those seeking registration, while the Graduate Certificate of Psychology provides the perfect foundation for enhancing human-centred roles. Both pathways are delivered 100% online for maximum flexibility and by leading minds in the field.

If you want to equip yourself with the skill set to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives while building a career that matters, your journey starts here.

Elevate your career prospects and earning capacity with JCU Online's Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging). Perfect for those wishing to enter the rewarding field of psychology or enhance their current role in human-centred professions.

Want a flexible introduction instead? Our Graduate Certificate of Psychology can provide a broad overview to kickstart your learning.

Connect with an Enrolment Advisor today at 1300 535 919 to find the best path for you.