Health Ministry inks deal to raise salary for public sector psychologists

The Health Ministry has signed a deal to change the salary structure for psychologists employed in the public sector.

The deal affects about 5,000 psychologists employed by the Education Ministry as well as health insurance providers, local authorities, hospitals and government ministries. The agreement will raise salaries by around 40 percent on average.

Under the new salary structure, entry-level psychologists will receive a monthly salary of NIS 11,000 ($3,006), with that of senior supervisors reaching up to NIS 17,500 ($4,782).

The new wages also include increases based on seniority, IDF service and position in the managerial hierarchy.

The salary reform agreement is a joint effort of the Finance Ministry, the Health Ministry, the Education Ministry and the Histadrut labor federation.

“This is a significant milestone in strengthening the status of psychologists in the public sector and correcting an injustice that has persisted for years,” says Health Minister Uriel Buso, stressing that “psychologists are the backbone of Israel’s mental health system.”

“Not all wounds are visible, and the war has only reinforced the need for high-quality, accessible public psychological services to help people cope,” says Histadrut Labor Federation chairman Arnon Bar-David.

Buso calls on psychologists to “join the public health system, help shape the future of mental health in Israel, and be part of creating a stronger and fairer system.”

Gavriel Fiske contributed to this report.