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Forensic psychologist median annual salary

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The field of forensic psychology is still fairly young—although psychologists and law enforcement have worked together for decades, it was not recognized as a psychological specialty by the American Psychological Association (APA) until 2001.

In this Article

How much do forensic psychologists make?

The field is primed to grow as the legal system recognizes more ways their knowledge can be utilized. Like other professions that require advanced education to be qualified, salaries for forensic psychologists are well above the median salary for all occupations.

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not detail salaries specific to forensic psychologists, the earnings of general psychologists can give you a good starting point when trying to estimate your potential earnings:

Psychologists, All Other

National data

Median Salary: $106,420

Projected job growth: 2.8%

10th Percentile: $40,000

25th Percentile: $68,410

75th Percentile: $124,020

90th Percentile: $138,860

Projected job growth: 2.8%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $110,090 $27,480 $127,150
Arizona $111,220 $47,990 $127,570
Arkansas $99,900 $26,290 $122,680
California $122,970 $52,890 $173,850
Colorado $107,490 $61,200 $130,650
Connecticut $116,310 $37,710 $143,370
District of Columbia $106,810 $52,120 $138,860
Florida $105,760 $49,250 $126,900
Georgia $99,590 $46,320 $125,630
Hawaii $120,600 $51,080 $149,950
Idaho $97,510 $46,320 $116,380
Illinois $106,420 $51,380 $136,390
Indiana $103,790 $49,600 $123,800
Iowa $106,950 $42,200 $123,010
Kansas $103,790 $30,400 $133,830
Kentucky $110,090 $75,030 $122,680
Louisiana $39,310 $36,770 $122,680
Maine $80,010 $52,430 $135,110
Maryland $106,810 $35,360 $159,330
Massachusetts $116,210 $51,480 $137,340
Michigan $66,210 $36,850 $122,680
Minnesota $80,870 $40,730 $129,080
Mississippi $66,650 $26,290 $119,520
Missouri $106,950 $41,600 $124,950
Montana $79,350 $26,290 $122,680
Nebraska $104,690 $26,290 $122,680
Nevada $124,840 $47,430 $150,970
New Hampshire $123,260 $46,140 $142,770
New Jersey $120,640 $39,090 $135,260
New Mexico $106,430 $46,610 $135,610
New York $106,020 $39,260 $142,580
North Carolina $103,790 $45,380 $124,900
Ohio $111,070 $48,280 $140,110
Oklahoma $106,390 $26,290 $128,710
Oregon $112,440 $60,200 $160,920
Pennsylvania $97,930 $50,360 $130,580
Rhode Island $104,000 $30,410 $139,980
South Carolina $114,730 $46,320 $140,630
South Dakota $103,790 $26,730 $142,520
Texas $112,280 $48,820 $141,420
Utah $106,950 $47,650 $130,560
Vermont $83,690 $54,860 $120,990
Virginia $109,640 $78,680 $138,530
Washington $111,110 $53,500 $135,430
West Virginia $39,670 $26,400 $117,500
Wisconsin $106,500 $45,660 $142,620
Wyoming $104,730 $26,290 $167,380

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Where do forensic psychologists earn the most money?

Psychologists tend have the greatest earning potential on the west and east coasts in populous metropolitan areas. This may be to account for the cost of living, as well as job demand. Many of the median annual salaries for psychologists in the top paying states are six-figure incomes, with the 90th percentile of annual incomes reaching $138,860.

Metropolitan areas in California, Oregon and Florida rank highly as top paying regions for psychologists.

Metro Area Median Annual Salary
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA $150,970
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA $139,860
Rochester, MN $137,820
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $134,660
Eugene, OR $133,290
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV $125,840
Charleston-North Charleston, SC $122,140
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $121,520
El Paso, TX $120,740
Urban Honolulu, HI $120,600

Populous areas naturally have more crime, and therefore may have a greater need for forensic psychologists. According to the BLS, states employing the largest numbers of psychologists are California, Illinois, and Texas, followed by Florida and Minnesota.

It’s important to keep in mind that these numbers do not include self-employed professionals. States that lie between the Midwest and West Coast, such as Idaho, Wyoming and the Dakotas for example, have the lowest employment of psychologists.

States with largest number of psychologists

California

Texas

Florida

How does a forensic psychology salary compare to similar occupations?

General psychologists tend to have a larger annual median salary when compared to certain specialized psychologists that work in schools or clinical settings. Industrial-organizational psychologists, on the other hand, have the highest median salary compared to all other types of psychologists that the BLS has data for.

Career Median Annual Salary
Psychologists, All Other $106,420
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $90,130
School Psychologists $81,500
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists $139,280

Job outlook for criminal psychologists

Psychologist jobs in general are increasing about as fast as average—around 2.8% for psychologists vs. 5% for all occupations through 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, the demand for mental health services increased drastically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend could continue and, with it, the demand for psychology professionals.


kendall upton

Written and researched by:

Kendall Upton

Staff Writer