Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
SOC Code: 19-3033 Job Zone 5: Extensive Preparation Needed
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT | $55,058 | $124,010 | $192,982 | $261,934 |
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $80,309 | $120,141 | $159,973 | $199,805 |
| Helena, MT | $51,709 | $100,485 | $149,282 | $198,058 |
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $54,101 | $101,296 | $148,491 | $195,686 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $86,382 | $117,915 | $149,448 | $180,981 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $87,443 | $118,602 | $149,739 | $180,898 |
| Mobile, AL | $76,606 | $109,075 | $141,523 | $173,992 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $76,606 | $109,075 | $141,523 | $173,992 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $74,090 | $106,704 | $139,318 | $171,933 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $74,235 | $106,059 | $137,883 | $169,707 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University | 2 | $65,500 |
| Children's National Medical Center | 1 | $100,000 |
| St. Peter's Health Partners | 1 | $68,994 |
| University of Michigan | 1 | $75,300 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | $59,000 |
| 2023 | 2 | $86,000 |
| 2025 | 2 | $72,147 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.8 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.4 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.2 | |
| Writing | 4.2 | |
| Active Listening | 4.2 | |
| Speaking | 4.1 | |
| Active Learning | 3.9 | |
| Monitoring | 3.8 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.8 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Psychology | 5.0 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 5.0 |
| English Language | 4.1 |
| Education and Training | 3.9 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.7 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 3.6 |
| Law and Government | 2.8 |
| Administration and Management | 2.8 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Other | 48.0% |
| Post-first professional | 44.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.0% |
Typical Tasks
- Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
- Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
- Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
- Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
- Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, or needs.
- Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
- Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.
- Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
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