Psychologist Pay

Boston vs Fall River: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Boston, MA and Fall River, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$127,431
$61.26/hr
Fall River, MA
$109,574
$52.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAFall River, MA
Median Salary$127,431$109,574
Hourly Rate$61.26$52.68
Entry Level (P10)$63,143$64,276
25th Percentile$90,863$82,149
75th Percentile$172,489$140,256
Top Earner (P90)$245,772$169,840
Total Employed1,92021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($127,431) and Fall River ($109,574) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.BostonFall RiverMedian Salary$127,431$109,574Entry Level (P10)$63,143$64,276Top Earner (P90)$245,772$169,840US Median $105,689

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fall River.

The salary gap between Boston and Fall River is $17,857 (16.30%). Boston's median is +20.57% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $182,629,Fall River spans $105,564. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$63,143
P25$90,863
Median$127,431
P75$172,489
P90 (Top)$245,772
Fall River
P10 (Entry)$64,276
P25$82,149
Median$109,574
P75$140,256
P90 (Top)$169,840

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($117,702 effective) pays 16.55% more than Fall River ($100,990 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $127,431
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $117,702
Fall River
Nominal: $109,574
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $100,990

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($127,431/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($245,772)
  • Larger job market (1,920 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,702)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Fall River if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Boston grew 46.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -4.6% growth in Fall River over the same period.

Boston, MA

+46.8%

$82,630 (2021) → $121,270 (2025)

Fall River, MA

+-4.6%

$109,349 (2024) → $104,277 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Boston or Fall River?

Boston has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $127,431/year, compared to Fall River at $109,574/year — a difference of $17,857 (16.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Fall River?

Boston clinical and counseling psychologists earn $61.26/hr while Fall River hygienists earn $52.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Fall River as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Fall River. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $117,702, Fall River = $100,990), job availability (1,920 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Boston vs Fall River?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $63,143 in Boston and $64,276 in Fall River. The Fall River 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