Criminal Psychologist Salary in US: A criminal psychologist is a mental health specialist who works in legal and criminal justice environments, utilising psychological concepts and methods. If you are interested in criminal justice, it is one of the most fulfilling professions in the US. Determining whether being a criminal psychologist is a suitable career option for you might be aided by learning about the duties and income of the field. The salary of a criminal psychologist in the United States is covered in this article.
This Blog Includes:
How Much Do Criminal Psychologists Get Paid?
The salary of a Criminal Psychologist in the US can vary depending on experience, location, and employer. The numbers you provided suggest a wide range, from a low of 158,900 USD annually to a high of 439,700 USD annually. This translates to a monthly range of 13,241 USD to 36,641 USD. The average annual salary is around 291,000 USD, which comes out to 24,250 USD per month. Keep in mind that these are just estimates, and the actual salary you can expect may differ.
Criminal psychologists have the ability to bargain for their salary and benefit packages. In 2025, the American Psychological Association conducted a survey, which revealed that 61% of psychologists negotiated their starting salary. Those who succeeded in securing a rise typically received 5,000 USD. The same survey also revealed higher levels of job satisfaction among psychologists who bargained for additional perks like flexible work hours, retirement plans, or opportunities for professional growth.
Check How to Find A Paid Internship in USA for International Students
Experience-Wise Criminal Psychologist Salary in US
You will gain valuable experience at every stage of your journey working as a criminal psychologist, and your experience will help you increase your salary range. Depending on how many years of experience a criminal psychologist has, this is their typical paycheck in the picture below.
| Experience Years | Average Salary Per Year |
| 0-2 Years | USD 59,000 |
| 2-5 Years | USD 67,900 |
| 5-10 Years | USD 80,000 |
| 10-15 Years | USD 96,000 |
| 15-20 Years | USD 120,000 |
| 20+ Years | USD 150,000 |
Education Wise Criminal Psychologist Salary in US
The salary of a Criminal Psychologist may differ by program and college. The average in-state student in a four-year school pays 9,377 USD in tuition each academic year, according to the Education Data Initiative. Criminal psychologists make almost 45,000 USD per year on average.
| Education | Average Salary per year |
| Bachelor’s Degree | USD 59,500 |
| Master’s Degree | USD 118,000 |
Here is a list of the best Part-time Jobs in USA for International Students
Organisation-Wise Criminal Psychologist Salary in US
Salary may vary depending on the type of organisation. Here we have mentioned the salary range of different organisations in the United States.
| Organisation | Average Salary Per year |
| US Department of Veterans Affairs | USD 1,20,979 |
| LifeStance Health | USD 1,16,445 |
| Kaiser Permanente | USD 1,45,900 |
| California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation of CA | USD 1,16,157 |
| US Army | USD 1,21,987 |
| CHE Behavioral Health Services | USD 1,03,140 |
| MedOptions | USD 1,24,313 |
| Federal Bureau of Prisons | USD 1,11,526 |
| US Air Force | USD 1,12,042 |
| US Navy | USD 1,23,186 |
| Clay Consulting | USD 1,16,128 |
| Lifespan | USD 1,00,488 |
| CHE Behavioural Health Services | USD 1,17,422 |
| California Department of State Hospitals | USD 1,19,081 |
| UW Health | USD 1,19,610 |
| TeamHealth | USD 1,31,657 |
City-Wise Criminal Psychologist Salary in US
Income for a criminal psychologist can also vary depending on location. Based on the country’s main cities, we have listed the criminal psychologist pay in the US here.
| Cities | Average Salary Per Year |
| New York | USD 105,000 |
| Los Angeles | USD 100,000 |
| Houston | USD 85,000 |
| Phoenix | USD 80,000 |
| San Diego | USD 95,000 |
| Boston | USD 95,000 |
Position-Wise Criminal Psychologist Salary in US
The criminal justice system offers a multitude of opportunities for employment. These are the top choices in the US that we have highlighted for you to consider.
| Position | Average Salary Per Year |
| Research Director | USD 124,536 |
| Behaviour Therapist | USD 41,600 |
| Behavior Specialist | USD 48,753 |
| School Social Worker | USD 70,992 |
| Behavior Analyst | USD 82,500 |
| School Psychologist | USD 87,067 |
| Linguist | USD 98,706 |
| Psychologist | USD 99,919 |
| Clinical Director | USD 106,086 |
| Child Psychologist | USD 1,06,079 |
| Staff Psychologist | USD 1,21,491 |
| Counseling Psychologist | USD 95,483 |
| Clinical Psychology | USD 1,10,945 |
You can Know About Various Professions and Their Average Salary range in United States
FAQs
In the US, a psychologist makes an average of $1,37,378 annually. In the US, a psychologist’s additional financial pay ranges from 13,525 USD to 25,246 USD. The average additional cash compensation is 18,033 USD.
Here are the top states that pay the highest criminal psychologist salaries:?
California: 120,010 USD
Oregon: 117,180 USD
Rhode Island: 116,810 USD
Hawaii: 115,220 USD
New York: 113,940 USD
In the discipline of psychology, the biggest earning potential is usually found in clinical psychology, psychiatry, and industrial-organisational psychology. However, things like experience and geography might affect salary.
This was all about Criminal Psychologist Salaries in the US. For more such articles on salary updates, follow Leverage Edu and our official Page Jobs Abroad. Also, build your career with Leveage Career, offering various job opportunities abroad.
Related Reads
One app for all your study abroad needs




60,000+ students trusted us with their dreams. Take the first step today!