Psychologist's salary: what you need to know

The profession of psychologistétant bien réglement&e in France, the associated salaries are comfortable and never fall below a certain threshold. Since this is a popular profession, both for those who want to practice it and for those who want to consult it, the average psychologist's salary is generally raised. Having outlined the profession in our fiche métier psychologue, let's now take a look at the amounts and criteria influencing the income of these specialists.

The different types of psychologist

Depending on the spécificité of the practice, the income of the psychologist may être more or less élevé. Possible specialties in psychology include:

• Clinical psychologist: the clinical psychologist works mainly with patients suffering from mental or emotional disorders. They work in hospitals, mental health centers or private practices. His missions include assessment, diagnosis and the implementation of therapies adapted to individual needs.
• Occupational psychologist : the occupational psychologist works within companies to improve employee well-being, manage conflicts and optimize performance. He analyzes group dynamics, accompanies organizational change and participates in the prevention of psychosocial risks.
• School psychologist: the school psychologist is dedicated to learning and learning-related problems. He/she assesses the educational, behavioral or emotional difficulties of children and adolescents, and works with teachers and families to help them succeed at school.
• Psychologue en libéral: the psychologue en libéral practices in private practice and receives patients from all walks of life with a variety of problems. He offers personalized support, adapting his therapeutic methods to the specific needs of each individual.

To learn more about this aspect, browse our psychologist fact sheet.

Factors influencing the salary of a psychologist

The rémunération of the psychologistis subject to the influence of a number of factors that may be useful to know when applying for a job as a psychologist, including:

• Spécialisation and area of practice: the spécialisation chosen can have a significant impact on salary. For example, neuropsychologists or psychologists specializing in behavioral and cognitive therapies may benefit from higher rents due to the specific demand for these skills.
• Region and practice location: practice location also influences salary. Psychologists working in large cities or regions where the cost of living is higher may earn higher salaries. Conversely, in rural areas, wages may be lower.
• Status: professional status plays a decisive role. A salaried psychologist receives a fixed salary, whereas a freelance psychologist's income depends on the number of consultations he or she performs. Independence can offer greater income potential, but with greater variability and charges to take into account.

The average salary of a psychologist

Highly skilled professions such as psychologist do not have a precise average salary. However, it is possible to give fairly representative ranges:

• Confirmed psychologist : 

• Salaryé : from 40,000 à 80,000€ gross per year.

• Libéral : rétrocession of 40% of monthly sales or simple payment of rent.

As a reminder, these figures are purely indicative and do not reflect a general trend. In addition, the above-mentioned factors have a major influence on income levels.

In résumé, the rémuneacute;ration of the psychologist is generally well established, although it is subject to a number of different criteria that inevitably lead to disparities. What's more, the numerous specializations enrich this exciting career, with salaries rising steadily with experience and encounters.