Psychologist Pay

Augusta vs Cartersville: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Augusta, GA and Cartersville, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$71,391
$34.33/hr
Cartersville, GA
$93,725
$45.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GACartersville, GA
Median Salary$71,391$93,725
Hourly Rate$34.33$45.06
Entry Level (P10)$55,335$54,361
25th Percentile$64,130$68,550
75th Percentile$123,753$119,968
Top Earner (P90)$183,491$145,274
Total Employed404
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($71,391) and Cartersville ($93,725) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.AugustaCartersvilleMedian Salary$71,391$93,725Entry Level (P10)$55,335$54,361Top Earner (P90)$183,491$145,274US Median $105,689

Verdict

Augusta and Cartersville are closely matched on overall clinical and counseling psychologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Augusta and Cartersville is $22,334 (31.28%). Cartersville's median is -11.32% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $128,156,Cartersville spans $90,913. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$55,335
P25$64,130
Median$71,391
P75$123,753
P90 (Top)$183,491
Cartersville
P10 (Entry)$54,361
P25$68,550
Median$93,725
P75$119,968
P90 (Top)$145,274

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cartersville ($100,671 effective) pays 29.60% more than Augusta ($77,681 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $71,391
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $77,681
Cartersville
Nominal: $93,725
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $100,671

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($183,491)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Cartersville if…

  • Higher median salary ($93,725/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,671)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Augusta grew -11.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -13.5% growth in Cartersville over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+-11.0%

$76,360 (2021) → $67,940 (2025)

Cartersville, GA

+-13.5%

$103,081 (2024) → $89,194 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Augusta or Cartersville?

Cartersville has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $93,725/year, compared to Augusta at $71,391/year — a difference of $22,334 (31.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Cartersville?

Augusta clinical and counseling psychologists earn $34.33/hr while Cartersville hygienists earn $45.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Cartersville as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Cartersville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $77,681, Cartersville = $100,671), job availability (40 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Augusta vs Cartersville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $55,335 in Augusta and $54,361 in Cartersville. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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