Psychology Programs in Washington

When choosing a psychology school, candidates must consider a few determinants. Most candidates want a school with an excellent reputation, high-quality instructors, modern facilities, and possibly career services.

Individuals in Washington can easily find these qualities, as several prominent colleges and universities in the state fulfill these requirements. Moreover, we have made it even more convenient to find these institutions by outlining a list of Washington’s most notable psychology schools.

We don’t stop there, though. We also dedicate a few paragraphs to exploring the steps needed to obtain a psychology license at various state levels.

Lastly, we round up the guide with an overview of the annual average salary categories for psychologists in the state and outline some factors that may improve these numbers.

Top Psychology Schools in Washington

Below are some high-quality destinations where you can earn a psychology degree in Washington.

Licensure & Certification

As an aspiring psychologist in Washington, the ultimate objective should be to receive a license to work in a full capacity. Candidates happy with taking on lesser roles in supplementary positions may be able to start their careers with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

For those pursuing full licensure, the first requirement is a doctorate degree from an accredited program. The next requirement is to receive real-world experience, which must be done through pre-doctoral and postdoctoral arrangements.

The total training hours for both must equal 3,300, with 300 hours coming from a practicum, 1,500 from a pre-doctoral arrangement, and the rest through a postdoctoral training arrangement.

Psychologists in Washington must also pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and the state jurisprudence exam to receive their license finally.

Salary & Career Outlook

During the start of a psychology career in Washington, it is typical for candidates to take home an annual average salary of $120,531 every year. This is in line with the national average and applies to those in the median range of earners in the state.

Subsequently, they may start earning more money and ultimately find themselves among the top 10%, earning an annual average salary of $157,247. Not all candidates are in the median high-paying range; however, some start among the bottom 10%, making an average annual salary of $92,388.

Experience and location are key determinants of a psychologist’s progress in Washington. For the latter, candidates in Puyallup are the highest earners in the state, with an annual average salary of $176,333.

Also notable are psychologists in Spanaway, with an annual average salary of $140,477; Tacoma, with an annual average salary of $134,676; and Bellevue, with an annual average salary of $132,201.

Job Outlook

The future is bright for psychologists nationwide, as the field is set to continue expanding in the next decade. Fresh candidates looking to enter the field may also expect to enjoy several open positions as more people seek psychological help in the state.

The need to add more workers to replace those retiring or moving into other professions will also increase the demand for psychologists nationwide.