Psychologist Pay

Birmingham vs Homewood: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Birmingham, AL and Homewood, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$97,636
$46.94/hr
Homewood, AL
$89,757
$43.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALHomewood, AL
Median Salary$97,636$89,757
Hourly Rate$46.94$43.16
Entry Level (P10)$56,629$54,114
25th Percentile$70,299$68,203
75th Percentile$124,974$114,889
Top Earner (P90)$151,336$139,124
Total Employed515
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($97,636) and Homewood ($89,757) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.BirminghamHomewoodMedian Salary$97,636$89,757Entry Level (P10)$56,629$54,114Top Earner (P90)$151,336$139,124US Median $105,689

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Homewood.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Homewood is $7,879 (8.78%). Birmingham's median is -7.62% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $94,707,Homewood spans $85,010. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$56,629
P25$70,299
Median$97,636
P75$124,974
P90 (Top)$151,336
Homewood
P10 (Entry)$54,114
P25$68,203
Median$89,757
P75$114,889
P90 (Top)$139,124

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($111,076 effective) pays 8.78% more than Homewood ($102,113 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $97,636
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $111,076
Homewood
Nominal: $89,757
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $102,113

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,636/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($151,336)
  • Larger job market (51 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,076)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Homewood if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Birmingham grew 16.9% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 0.3% growth in Homewood over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+16.9%

$79,510 (2021) → $92,916 (2025)

Homewood, AL

+0.3%

$85,197 (2024) → $85,418 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Birmingham or Homewood?

Birmingham has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $97,636/year, compared to Homewood at $89,757/year — a difference of $7,879 (8.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Homewood?

Birmingham clinical and counseling psychologists earn $46.94/hr while Homewood hygienists earn $43.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Homewood as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Homewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $111,076, Homewood = $102,113), job availability (51 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Birmingham vs Homewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $56,629 in Birmingham and $54,114 in Homewood. The Birmingham 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