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Clinical psychology employs the greatest number of psychologists of all the psychology specialties, though even this area of psychology that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of severe mental disorders is broken up into further specialties. Whatever the specialty, clinical psychologists must be good at developing personal relationships with the purpose of providing help and support. These psychologists are not only excellent listeners, but they have exceptionally good social perception skills and an ability to tell when something is wrong. These skills can be honed through the education and clinical hours that are required of clinical psychologists.

Clinical psychologists salaries: being a good listener pays

Clinical psychologists earned a median salary of $66,040 in 2009, per the Occupational Information Network (ONET). This same data, which includes counseling psychologists and school psychologists, indicates that both Colorado and Ohio are among the highest paying states. These states are especially good places to look for clinical psychologist jobs because of the relatively low cost of living.

At the end of 2010, Ohio was ranked as the 13th least expensive state in which to live. In 2009, clinical psychologists in Ohio earned a median salary of $79,400. The top 10 percent of earners brought in $114,000. While the cost of living in Colorado was only 2 percent above the national average, clinical psychologists earned a median salary of $82,600 in 2009, with the top 10 percent earning $138,200.

Comparing cost of living data with PayScale.com's top-paying cities suggests these places should get your job-search attention if you want a bigger bottom line:

• High Point, N.C.
• Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Houston, Texas

Choose a high-paying workplace, regardless of geography

Both GlassDoor.com and PayScale.com indicate a significant range, $47,000-$130,000, in salaries, and a 2009 salary survey from the American Psychological Association (APA) indicates that licensed clinical psychologists work in a variety of settings--with a variety of salaries. Salaries also vary considerably based on years of experience.

The APA median for clinical psychologists was considerably higher at $87,015 than indicated by ONET's data that included other psychology specialties.

Among psychologists with a similar amount of experience, these clinical settings paid the highest median salaries:

• Private general hospital, $118,000 (10-14 years experience)
• VA medical hospital, $102,000 (15-19 years experience)
• Federal government agency, $99,000 (10-14 years experience)

How to become a clinical psychologist

All states require clinical psychologists to become licensed, which generally includes a doctorate degree, clinical internship hours, professional experience, and a passing score on a licensing exam. As long as a school's doctoral program is properly accredited per the state's licensing requirements, you can get the necessary clinical psychologist training online.

Career outlook for clinical psychologists

According to the ONET, projected job growth between 2008 and 2018 for clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists and school psychologists, collectively, is average (7-13 percent). The total growth combined with other job openings is equivalent to almost 60,000 job openings across the country 2008 through 2018.