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Child Psychologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$61.77 - $81.35/hr

The Child and Teen psychologist, under supervision of the administrative and clinical leadership of the Child and Teen Outpatient Mental Health Program, provides all aspects of psychosocial services ...

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Child Psychologist information

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$59K

$98.6K

$135K

How much do child psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for child psychologist in the United States is $98,633.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $108,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges child psychologists face when working with children and families?

Child psychologists often encounter challenges such as building trust with young clients, navigating family dynamics, and addressing complex emotional or behavioral issues. Establishing rapport with children can require creative communication and patience, especially when children have difficulty expressing themselves. Additionally, collaborating with parents, teachers, and other professionals is essential, which means balancing varying perspectives and expectations while ensuring the child's best interests remain the focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a child psychologist?

To thrive as a Child Psychologist, you need an advanced degree in psychology (often a PhD or PsyD), state licensure, and a deep understanding of child development and mental health disorders. Familiarity with psychological assessment tools, therapy modalities, and electronic health record systems is typically required. Outstanding communication, patience, and cultural sensitivity help build trust and rapport with children and their families. These skills and qualities are crucial for accurately diagnosing issues, delivering effective interventions, and supporting children's emotional and psychological well-being.

What type of child psychologist makes the most money?

Child psychologists specializing in neuropsychology or clinical psychology tend to earn higher salaries due to advanced training and expertise in diagnosing and treating complex developmental and mental health issues. Those working in private practice, hospitals, or research institutions often have higher earning potential compared to those in schools or community settings. Certifications and years of experience also influence salary levels in this field.

What is a child psychologist?

As a child psychologist, you work with children from infancy through adolescence in a clinical setting, a school, or a research facility, focusing on mental health and behavioral development. Your duties may vary depending on your area of expertise. For example, you may work with students with learning disabilities or in a clinical setting with adolescent patients with mental health issues.

Is a degree in child psychologist worth it?

A degree in child psychology is essential for becoming a licensed child psychologist, requiring a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral program. This education provides the necessary knowledge of child development, mental health assessment, and therapy techniques, which are critical for effective practice in clinical or educational settings.

What does a child psychologist do?

A child psychologist is a mental health professional who specializes in understanding and helping children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral, developmental, and psychological issues. They assess, diagnose, and treat a variety of concerns such as anxiety, depression, learning difficulties, and social challenges. Child psychologists often use therapy, counseling, and sometimes psychological testing to support children and work closely with their families, schools, and other caregivers to promote healthy development.

What is the difference between Child Psychologist vs Child Therapist?

AspectChild PsychologistChild Therapist
CredentialsDoctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), licensure requiredMaster's or bachelor's degree, certification varies
Work EnvironmentClinics, hospitals, private practice, schoolsPrivate practice, clinics, schools, community centers
Industry UsageOften involved in assessment, diagnosis, researchPrimarily provides therapy and counseling

Child Psychologists typically hold doctoral degrees and focus on assessment, diagnosis, and research, while Child Therapists usually have master's or bachelor's degrees and focus on providing therapeutic services. Both work in similar environments and serve children in need of mental health support, but their roles and qualifications differ.

What cities are hiring for Child Psychologist jobs? Cities with the most Child Psychologist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Child Psychologist jobs? The most popular types of Child Psychologist jobs are:
What states have the most Child Psychologist jobs? States with the most job openings for Child Psychologist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Child Psychologist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Child Psychologist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Child Psychologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,633 per year, or $47.4 per hour.

Child and Teen Psychologist - 137361

University of California San Diego

San Diego, CA • On-site

$110K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


University Of California San Diego rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

160th of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Payroll Title:
PSYCHOLOGIST 2 CEH Department:
FACULTY PRACTICE PSYCHIATRY Hiring Pay Scale
$110,497.00 - $161,778.20 / Y Worksite:
La Jolla Appointment Type:
Career Appointment Percent:
100% Union:
HX Contract Total Openings:
1 Work Schedule:
Days, 8 hour shifts, Monday - Friday
#137361 Child and Teen Psychologist
Initial Review Date: Mon 8/3/2026
Apply Now
UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.
UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment : Apply by 11/06/25 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.
Special Selection Applicants : Apply by 11/18/25. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.
Depending on experience of the selected candidate, this position will be hired at the Psychologist 1 or 2 level.
DESCRIPTION
UCSD Department of Psychiatry is one of the most innovative and productive academic departments in the country, offering challenging career opportunities in the diverse areas of advanced educational programs, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art clinical services. The department is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growing opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.
The Child and Teen psychologist, under supervision of the administrative and clinical leadership of the Child and Teen Outpatient Mental Health Program, provides all aspects of psychosocial services including individual and group psychotherapy, crisis management, care coordination, treatment planning, conduct initial diagnostic evaluations and triage to appropriate levels of care. Aide in the expansion of the child/teen clinic, including innovating and creating infrastructure with the use of measurement-based care. The candidate will collaborate with multiple systems of care including pediatricians, schools, and social services as well as contribute to care, education and research in a multidisciplinary care team with Masters level clinicians as needed.
San Diego is a wonderful city to live in with sunny days, sandy beaches, robust outdoor activities, and a vibrant food scene. If you, any colleagues, or any of your graduating trainees are interested in a change of scenery and interested in joining an academic outpatient clinic to serve the commercially insured San Diego pediatric population, please reach out.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Ph.D. or Psy.D degree in Clinical Psychology.
  • Current valid state of California Psychology License Ph.D or Psy.D
  • At least two (2) years experience with caring for the child and adolescent populations either in practicum, internship, or during a clinical fellow year.
  • Priority will be given to applicants with familiarity with ABA, DBT, FBT, and ERP modalities.
  • Proven psycho-diagnostic interviewing skills, psycho-diagnostic evaluations and plan treatment.
  • Strong crisis intervention skills. Ability to deliver care in an ethical, non-judgmental, and non-discriminatory manner.
  • Trained in evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, ABA, HRT, ERP, PMT, PCIT, and FBT.
  • Expertise in all treatment modalities is not required but comfortability with a majority of those listed is preferred.
  • Knowledge of and experience in reading and interpreting psychiatric charts.
  • Ability to prepare for and lead psycho-educational groups on general psychosis, mood disorders, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, dual disorders, anger management and stress management.
  • Demonstrated skill in problem solving and in critical thinking. Able to think creatively and efficiently, to assess, analyze and solve problems.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with ethnically and culturally diverse populations and co-workers, exercising tact, flexibility and diplomacy.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
  • Strong writing ability and experience in writing concise, factual psychosocial notes and program reports.
  • Knowledge and skill in problem-focused psycho-therapeutic interventions and a thorough working knowledge of DSM-V.
  • Experience in managing a more complex caseload with a continual flux of new intakes weekly.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
  • Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
  • Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
Pay Transparency Act
Annual Full Pay Range: $128,976 - $169,859 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
Hourly Equivalent: $61.77 - $81.35
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
Apply Now
If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.
UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading-edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!
Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.
To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community .
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.
UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

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