Clinical Psychologist Salary in Oregon
Clinical psychologists in Oregon earn a median salary of $112,210 per year — third-highest in the country behind New Jersey and California. Explore detailed Oregon salary data by metro and employer.
Key Takeaways
- Oregon pays clinical psychologists a median of $112,210, third-highest in the country (BLS, 2023).
- Oregon employs 2,150 clinical and counseling psychologists, with most positions concentrated in Portland and Willamette Valley metros.
- Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro leads Oregon metros with median pay of $118,400, while Bend, Eugene, and Salem sit between $98,000–$108,000.
- Oregon is a PSYPACT member state, allowing licensed psychologists to provide telehealth across 40+ states.
- Top employers include OHSU, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Providence Health, the VA Healthcare System (Portland, Roseburg), and dense Portland-area private practice.
Oregon is the third-highest-paying state for clinical psychologists in the country, with a median annual salary of $112,210 — about 17% above the national median. The state employs roughly 2,150 psychologists, with the vast majority concentrated in the Portland metro and the Eugene–Springfield, Salem, and Bend metros.
Oregon licensure is administered by the Oregon Board of Psychology. Oregon is a PSYPACT member state. Demand has grown substantially due to Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) expansion of mental health benefits and the migration of California psychologists who relocated during 2020–2024.
How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinical and counseling psychologists in Oregon earn a median annual wage of $112,210. The lowest 10% earn approximately $58,000, while the highest 10% earn over $182,500.
Oregon's salary premium reflects strong demand from Oregon Health Plan Medicaid expansion, an active Portland cash-pay private practice market, and concentrated employer demand at OHSU, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, and Providence Health. The Portland metro absorbs roughly 60% of Oregon psychology employment.
10th Percentile
$58,000
Median
$112,210
90th Percentile
$182,500
Clinical Psychologist Salary by State
| State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $120,500 | 3,870 |
| California | $117,890 | 16,420 |
| Oregon | $112,210 | 2,150 |
| Hawaii | $110,780 | 640 |
| New York | $107,220 | 12,340 |
| Washington | $106,370 | 3,680 |
Clinical Psychologist Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Fellow | $50,000–$68,000 |
| Entry Level (0–2 years post-licensure) | $72,000–$88,000 |
| Early Career (3–5 years) | $92,000–$110,000 |
| Mid-Career (6–12 years) | $115,000–$140,000 |
| Senior (13+ years) | $140,000–$200,000+ |
Clinical Psychologist Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro (OR portion) | $118,400 |
| Bend | $108,200 |
| Eugene–Springfield | $102,400 |
| Salem | $98,700 |
| Medford | $95,800 |
| Albany–Lebanon | $94,200 |
| Corvallis | $96,500 |
Clinical Psychologist Salary by Employer Type
| Employer Type | Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland Cash-Pay Private Practice | $140,000–$200,000 |
| OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) | $118,000–$155,000 |
| Kaiser Permanente Northwest | $130,000–$168,000 |
| VA Healthcare System (Portland, Roseburg) | $115,000–$158,000 |
| Providence Health & Services | $110,000–$145,000 |
| Oregon State Hospital (forensic) | $118,000–$162,000 |
| Group Practice (insurance + cash mix) | $92,000–$128,000 |
| Community Mental Health (CCBHCs, FQHCs) | $78,000–$98,000 |
Clinical Psychologist Salary by Education Level
| Education Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Level (LPC, LCSW — not psychologist) | $62,000–$85,000 |
| PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) | $102,000–$128,000 |
| PhD in Clinical Psychology | $112,000–$138,000 |
| PhD/PsyD + ABPP Board Certification | $135,000–$185,000+ |
How to Increase Your Clinical Psychologist Salary
Oregon offers an unusual combination — top-five state pay plus access to the Pacific Northwest lifestyle. Strategic moves to maximize Oregon earnings center on Portland metro practice, leveraging the unusually competitive Kaiser Permanente Northwest pay scale, and using PSYPACT to add multi-state telehealth income.
- Establish a cash-pay private practice in Portland, Lake Oswego, or Beaverton where session rates run $200–$325. Portland's combination of high health-insurance literacy and progressive demographics supports strong cash-pay markets.
- Apply to Kaiser Permanente Northwest staff psychologist positions, which offer one of the most generous pay-and-benefit packages in U.S. clinical psychology — base salaries of $130,000–$168,000 with full pension, healthcare, and integrated medical-behavioral practice.
- Pursue ABPP board certification, particularly in clinical neuropsychology — Oregon neuropsychologists at OHSU, Providence, or in private practice routinely earn $145,000–$200,000.
- Take a position at Oregon State Hospital (forensic psychology), which pays among the highest state government salaries and provides specialized forensic experience.
- Use Oregon's PSYPACT membership to build a multi-state telehealth caseload across 40+ states. Many Portland-area psychologists bill California, NYC, or Boston rates while based in Oregon.
- Apply to the Portland VA Medical Center or the Roseburg VA — federal GS-13/14 psychology positions include strong locality pay (Portland) and federal benefits.
- Take faculty appointments at OHSU, Pacific University (Forest Grove PsyD), or George Fox University which can be combined with clinical practice and supervision income.
Related Pages
National Clinical Psychologist Salary Guide
National salary breakdown for clinical psychologists across all 50 states.
Psychologist Salary Umbrella
Compare clinical, counseling, neuropsychology, I-O, and forensic psychologist pay.
How to Become a Clinical Psychologist
Education, training, internship, and licensure steps for clinical psychology.
Sources
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