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$311K

How much do entry level psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level psychologist in the United States is $154,056.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,500.00 and $223,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level psychologist do?

An entry level psychologist typically assists with psychological assessments, conducts research, and provides support to licensed psychologists or senior staff. Their work may involve administering standardized tests, collecting and analyzing data, and helping to develop treatment plans under supervision. Entry level psychologists often work in settings such as clinics, hospitals, schools, or research institutions, and their responsibilities help them gain valuable experience for further licensure and independent practice.

What Does an Entry-Level Psychologist Do?

An entry-level psychologist is a fully licensed therapist or mental health expert that may still be getting mentorship and professional guidance from more experienced psychologists or counseling experts. In this career, you still have the same duties and responsibilities as any other psychologist. You make a diagnosis for a patient based on counseling sessions and then work with your patient to develop a treatment plant that fits their needs and goals. Only in certain limited cases, however, are psychologists allowed to prescribe medication to patients, and the requirements for that depend on the state in which you practice and whether or not you have taken coursework in pharmacology.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level psychologists when transitioning from academic training to clinical practice?

Entry level psychologists often find the transition from academic settings to clinical practice challenging due to differences in pace, client diversity, and the need for practical application of theoretical knowledge. Adapting to real-world cases, managing caseloads, and dealing with administrative duties like documentation can be initially overwhelming. However, most organizations provide supervision and mentorship to help new psychologists develop confidence and refine their therapeutic skills. Open communication with supervisors and proactive participation in team meetings are vital for ongoing professional growth and support.

What is the difference between Entry Level Psychologist vs Mental Health Technician?

AspectEntry Level PsychologistMental Health Technician
Required CredentialsMaster's or Doctoral degree in Psychology, licensure often requiredHigh school diploma or associate degree; certification may be preferred
Work EnvironmentClinics, hospitals, private practices, research settingsHospitals, mental health facilities, residential programs
Employer & Industry UsageHealthcare, mental health services, research institutionsBehavioral health facilities, hospitals, community programs
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in psychologyExploring support roles in mental health settings

Entry Level Psychologists typically hold advanced degrees and licensure, working directly with clients in clinical or research settings. Mental Health Technicians usually have less formal education, providing support and assisting licensed professionals in mental health environments. Both roles are essential in mental health services but differ in qualifications and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Psychologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Psychologist, you need a foundational knowledge of psychological theories, research methods, and assessment techniques, usually supported by at least a master's degree in psychology or a related field. Familiarity with statistical software, psychological testing tools, and patient record systems is common in this role. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and active listening abilities help in building trust and rapport with clients. These skills and qualifications are crucial for providing effective support, conducting accurate assessments, and fostering client well-being.
More about Entry Level Psychologist jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Psychologist jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Psychologist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Psychologist jobs? The most popular types of Psychologist jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Psychologist jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Psychologist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Psychologist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Psychologist jobs are:
Entry Level Psychologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Psychologist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Full Time, 90% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $154,056 per year, or $74.1 per hour.

Staff Psychologist-Pain Management

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Des Moines, IA

$82K/yr

Other

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.Qualifications:Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Education-By the time of hire, the applicant must:
  • (1) Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
  • OR
  • (2) Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions: (a) The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and,(b) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
  • OR
  • (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
  • Internships-By the time of hire, the applicant must: (a) Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
  • OR
  • (b) New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern;
  • OR
  • (c) VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement;
  • OR
  • (d) Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
  • OR
  • (e) Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program.
  • Licensure-At the GS 13 level, the applicant must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
  • English Language Proficiency-Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation).
Grade Determinations:
GS-11Staff Psychologist (Entry Level)
(a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-12 Staff Psychologist (Developmental Level)
(a)Experience. At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at the GS-11 grade level.
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations.
2. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies.
3. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures.
4. Ability to conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties).
5. Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration.
GS-13 Staff Psychologist (Full Performance Level)
(a) Experience. At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level
(b)Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
2. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
3. Knowledge of clinical research literature.
References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Preferred Experience: Pain Management
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13.
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.Education:IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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