Psychology careers and pay explained
Psychology offers a wide range of career paths – from accredited psychologist professions, such as clinical or forensic psychology, to roles where psychological knowledge is valuable but formal registration isn’t required. Salaries vary depending on the route you choose, the setting you work in, and the level of experience you build over time.
In this article, we’ll explore how much psychologists earn in the UK, looking closely at clinical, forensic, child and sports psychology. We’ll also highlight related roles, where skills in understanding behaviour and human wellbeing are highly valued, even without full accreditation. Many of these paths offer high earning potential as well as long-term professional development.
If you’re exploring these options, it’s worth noting that Walbrook has submitted its application for British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation, which is now under review. For those aiming for chartered status, and the salaries that come with it, getting a BPS-accredited degree is an important step – and in the meantime, our MSc Psychology degrees provide the theory, research, and applied skills that are highly valued across many roles.
Why choose psychology?
For many people thinking about their next career step, psychology offers the chance to combine professional growth with purpose. Psychologists often work as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with other professionals such as doctors, occupational therapists, and social care staff to provide effective service delivery. If you’re looking to switch careers, gain new skills for promotion, or move into a field that has clear impact, psychology can open meaningful opportunities.
Beyond the salary, psychology appeals because of its value in everyday life and work. Whether you’re supporting people’s wellbeing, improving workplace culture, or guiding decisions through an understanding of human behaviour, it’s a profession rooted in helping others – while also advancing your own career.
Is psychology a good career in the UK?
Yes – psychology is a strong career choice in the UK, with demand across healthcare, education, and business. For career switchers, psychology offers a route into a sector with long-term stability and visible impact. For those aiming to upskill or progress, it provides the expertise needed to step into leadership or specialist roles.
Strong graduate outcomes
According to HESA’s Graduate Outcomes survey, as reported by Prospects, 63% of psychology graduates were in work 15 months after graduation, with most (58%) in professional-level roles. Around 20% entered healthcare, showing how valued psychology skills are in frontline services, particularly in addressing mental health issues and mental illness.
Rising demand for psychologists
The NHS has set ambitious targets to grow the psychological workforce. Training places for clinical psychologists and child and adolescent specialists are set to increase by up to a third by 2033/34, with more than 1,000 new places available each year until 2028/29 (NHS Long Term Workforce Plan).
Expanding roles in schools and education
By 2026, an estimated 60% of pupils in England will have access to specialist mental health support in schools, up from 52% in 2025, according to the UK Government's Education Hub. This reflects wider opportunities for psychology professionals to make an impact in education and youth services.
How much do NHS psychologists make?
The NHS is the largest employer of psychologists in the UK, and most chartered roles are paid according to the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales.
Entry-level roles such as assistant psychologists or trainees usually start at Band 4–6, with salaries from around £27,000 to £46,000.
Qualified psychologists typically begin at Band 7, where the salary range is £47,810–£54,710.
With experience, many progress into senior roles at Bands 8a–8b, earning between £56,000 and £76,000.
The most senior positions – such as consultant psychologists and heads of service – are paid at Band 8c–9, with salaries from £76,965 up to £125,637.
Which fields of psychology are the highest paid in the UK?
Accredited Psychologist Professions
Here's a breakdown of the high-paid careers for practitioner and chartered psychologists in the UK, with salary data based on NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales (April 2025). These roles often include psychological assessments, counselling, and research-based practice.
Clinical Psychologist: works with people experiencing mental health challenges, delivering assessment, therapy, and treatment.
Band 6 (trainee): £38,682–£46,580
Band 7 (qualified): £47,810–£54,710
Band 8a–8b (experienced): £56,164–£76,918
Forensic Psychologist: applies psychology within the criminal justice system, supporting rehabilitation and risk management.
Band 7: £47,810–£54,710 (progression to Band 8 possible)
Consultant Psychologist: oversees specialist services, manages teams, and influences service strategy.
Band 8c–8d: £76,965–£105,337
Head of Psychology Services: leads psychology departments across services or multiple sites, responsible for workforce and strategy.
Band 9: £109,179–£125,637.
Note: To work in these professions – and to progress into senior positions such as consultant or head of service – you’ll need accreditation through the British Psychological Society (BPS) and further doctorate training. Walbrook has submitted its application for BPS accreditation of our MSc Psychology degrees, which is currently under review.
Psychology-Related Roles (Non-Accredited)
Here's a breakdown of the high-paid careers for people working in roles that don't require HCPC registration in the UK, with data based on Glassdoor UK data as of 2025:
Human Resources (HR) Director: senior leadership role overseeing workforce strategy, often drawing on psychology to manage complex organisations.
Average salary: ~£115,509 per year
People analytics lead: combines psychology and data science to guide HR and workforce decisions.
Average salary: £76,047 per year
Head of Learning and Development: leads organisational training and talent strategies, using psychology to design programmes that support career progression across the workforce.
Average salary: £74,439 per year
Management Consultant: applies psychology to leadership, change management, and organisational design. Some consultants even progress to executive director level, commanding a competitive salary well above the sector average.
Average salary: ~£59,761 per year
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Salaries for practitioner roles in psychology
Not all psychology careers require specialist training or chartered status. The NHS also offers practitioner roles where graduates can apply psychological knowledge to support individuals and communities. These roles provide structured entry points into the workforce, with clear pay bands and opportunities to progress.
All of these roles start on the same NHS Agenda for Change pay scales:
Band 4 (trainee): £27,485–£30,162
Band 5 (qualified): £31,049–£37,796
Practitioner roles in psychology
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner – delivers structured therapies to support mild-to-moderate mental health conditions.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner – offers general wellbeing support across community or healthcare settings.
Education Mental Health Practitioner – supports children and young people’s mental health, often within schools or colleges.
Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner – works under clinical supervision while training to become a qualified wellbeing practitioner.
Top-paying locations for psychologist jobs in the UK
Salaries for psychologists can vary significantly depending on location – especially when factors like London weighting or local demand come into play. According to Indeed UK (and correct as of September 2025), which reflects both NHS and private sector roles, some of the highest-paying cities for psychologists are:
York – Average reported salary: £58,991 per year
Birmingham – Average reported salary: £49,547 per year
London (incl. Inner London and Outer London) – Average reported salary: £48,556 per year
Manchester – Average reported salary: £48,251 per year
Bristol – Average reported salary: £45,429 per year
It’s important to note that these figures are broad averages and don’t break down the type of psychologist (for example, clinical vs. sport) or the level of experience (trainee vs. senior roles). Salaries will also vary depending on whether you work in the NHS, the private sector, or in rural areas and fringe areas, where demand may differ. If you’re considering a specific career path, it’s worth researching role-specific pay scales – such as the NHS Agenda for Change bands for clinical psychology.
How much do clinical psychologists get paid in the UK?
Clinical psychology is one of the most established and best-paid psychology careers in the UK. Salaries follow the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales, which provide a clear structure for progression.
The trainee clinical psychologist salary is usually paid at Band 6, earning between £38,682 and £46,580.
Once qualified, they move to Band 7, with salaries ranging from £47,810 to £54,710.
At senior level, consultant clinical psychologists are paid at Band 8c–8d, with salaries between £76,965 and £105,337.
The most senior posts, such as heads of psychology services, sit at Band 9, earning between £109,179 and £125,637.
Pay can be higher in London and some other regions due to additional weighting. Many clinical psychologists also choose to conduct research or work with specialist groups such as people recovering from brain injuries, further expanding their career options.
Do you need a PhD to be a clinical psychologist in the UK?
No – you don’t need a PhD, but you do need a doctoral qualification in clinical psychology. In the UK, this is usually the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), which prepares you for direct clinical work with patients and clients. Completing this doctorate allows you to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and practise as a clinical psychologist.
To gain a place on a DClinPsy, you must have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS). This usually comes from completing a BPS-accredited psychology degree or a conversion course. Once you’ve secured GBC, built relevant work experience, and successfully applied to a DClinPsy, you’ll be on the recognised pathway to practise as a clinical psychologist. At present, Walbrook’s MSc Psychology degrees do not provide GBC, as our application for BPS accreditation is still under review. This means our degrees are not currently a direct route into clinical psychology.
Is it hard to become a clinical psychologist in the UK?
Becoming a clinical psychologist takes dedication, but the pathway is clear and achievable for motivated students. To gain a place on a doctoral programme, you’ll usually need:
A BPS-accredited psychology degree (or a conversion course)
Some relevant work experience in a mental health or support role
A successful application and interview for doctorate courses
Training typically lasts three years full-time and combines psychological theory with real-world placements. Many students find this stage of the journey highly rewarding, as it allows them to apply their knowledge directly in practice and develop their ability to support patients effectively.
Want to learn more? Read our full guide: What is a clinical psychologist and how do you become one?
What is a child psychologist's salary in the UK?
Child psychologists support the emotional, social, and learning needs of children and young people. Within the NHS, they are usually employed as clinical psychologists or educational psychologists who specialise in a particular area of child and adolescent work. Child psychologists often work closely with other members of a school or CAMHS team, collaborating to provide joined-up care for young people.
Their pay follows the Agenda for Change pay scales:
Trainee psychologists: Band 6 (£38,682–£46,580)
Qualified psychologists: Band 7 (£47,810–£54,710)
Consultant and leadership roles: Bands 8c–9 (£76,965–£125,637)
How to become a child psychologist in the NHS
To work as a child psychologist in the NHS, you first need to qualify as either a clinical psychologist or an educational psychologist, and then specialise in supporting children and young people. The pathway usually includes:
Undergraduate study – a BPS-accredited psychology degree, or a conversion course if your first degree is in another subject.
Relevant experience – working with children or young people in schools, health, or community settings is highly valued.
Doctoral training – completing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) or a Doctorate in Educational Psychology (DEdPsy). Both combine academic learning with practical placements.
Registration – once qualified, you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practise as a psychologist.
What is a forensic psychologist's salary in the UK?
Forensic psychologists apply psychology within the criminal justice system, working in prisons, secure hospitals, courts, and rehabilitation services. Their work includes assessing risk, supporting offender rehabilitation, and advising on case management. They may also be involved in staff training, policy development, or consultancy roles across government and justice agencies.
In the NHS, salaries are set by the Agenda for Change pay scales:
Qualified forensic psychologists usually begin at Band 7 (£47,810–£54,710)
With experience, they can progress to Band 8a–8b (£56,164–£76,918)
Senior and consultant posts may reach Band 8c–8d (£76,965–£105,337)
Forensic psychologists can also work for the prison and probation services, the police, or in private practice, where pay levels may differ.
Do you need a doctorate to be a forensic psychologist in the UK?
You don’t need a doctorate to become a forensic psychologist in the UK. The typical route is to complete a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree in psychology, followed by a BPS-accredited master’s in forensic psychology. After this, you complete a period of supervised practice to demonstrate your competence.
Once you’ve met these requirements, you can apply for chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a forensic psychologist.
At present, our application for BPS accreditation of our MSc Psychology degrees is still under review. This means our programmes are not currently a direct route into forensic psychology, but they do provide strong academic and applied skills that can support career progression or future training once accreditation is confirmed.
How much do sports psychologists make in the UK?
Sports psychologists help athletes enhance performance, maintain focus, and manage pressure. While some are employed by teams or organisations, many are self-employed, working with individual clients or sports clubs on a consultancy basis.
According to the National Careers Service, starting salaries typically begin from £25,000, going up to £48,000 for established professionals.
Ready to start earning? Make the switch to psychology
If you’re thinking about changing direction or building new skills, a psychology degree can open the door to career development that is both rewarding and in demand. With opportunities ranging from healthcare to business, psychology gives you the chance to grow your career while making a difference in people’s lives.
At Walbrook Institute London, we’ve submitted our application for British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation, which is now under review. If approved, our MSc Psychology programmes will be the lowest-priced online BPS-accredited conversion courses in the UK – at just £7,080.
For those interested in roles that don’t require BPS accreditation, our MSc degrees already provide a strong foundation in psychological theory, research, and applied skills. They are designed to help you progress in areas such as business, health, and wellbeing – while building knowledge that can support further study if you choose to pursue chartered status in the future.
With 12 start dates a year and the option to study full-time or part-time, you can fit your studies around your life and career goals – all through an online-first experience built for digital from day one.
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