Psychologist Pay

Anderson vs North Charleston: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Anderson, SC and North Charleston, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anderson, SC
$104,463
$50.22/hr
North Charleston, SC
$69,758
$33.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnderson, SCNorth Charleston, SC
Median Salary$104,463$69,758
Hourly Rate$50.22$33.54
Entry Level (P10)$60,589$40,460
25th Percentile$76,455$52,274
75th Percentile$133,713$89,291
Top Earner (P90)$161,918$108,125
Total Employed522
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anderson ($104,463) and North Charleston ($69,758) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.AndersonNorth CharlestonMedian Salary$104,463$69,758Entry Level (P10)$60,589$40,460Top Earner (P90)$161,918$108,125US Median $105,689

Verdict

Anderson, SC offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to North Charleston.

The salary gap between Anderson and North Charleston is $34,705 (49.75%). Anderson's median is -1.16% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anderson spans $101,329,North Charleston spans $67,665. Anderson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Anderson
P10 (Entry)$60,589
P25$76,455
Median$104,463
P75$133,713
P90 (Top)$161,918
North Charleston
P10 (Entry)$40,460
P25$52,274
Median$69,758
P75$89,291
P90 (Top)$108,125

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Anderson ($114,167 effective) pays 49.75% more than North Charleston ($76,238 effective).

Anderson
Nominal: $104,463
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $114,167
North Charleston
Nominal: $69,758
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $76,238

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anderson if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,463/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($161,918)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,167)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose North Charleston if…

  • Larger job market (22 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Anderson grew 45.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -6.6% growth in North Charleston over the same period.

Anderson, SC

+45.4%

$68,384 (2024) → $99,413 (2025)

North Charleston, SC

+-6.6%

$71,082 (2024) → $66,386 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Anderson or North Charleston?

Anderson has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $104,463/year, compared to North Charleston at $69,758/year — a difference of $34,705 (49.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anderson and North Charleston?

Anderson clinical and counseling psychologists earn $50.22/hr while North Charleston hygienists earn $33.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anderson to North Charleston as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anderson and North Charleston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anderson = $114,167, North Charleston = $76,238), job availability (5 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Anderson vs North Charleston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $60,589 in Anderson and $40,460 in North Charleston. The Anderson area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in clinical psychology. She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy. Maria works at a mental health clinic in Chicago.

Clinically reviewed by James Wu, PsyD, LCSWData verified by Fatima Khan, PhD, LCPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.08% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC, a licensed clinical and counseling psychologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov