Psychologist Pay

Buffalo vs Oneonta: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Buffalo, NY and Oneonta, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buffalo, NY
$111,847
$53.78/hr
Oneonta, NY
$104,375
$50.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYOneonta, NY
Median Salary$111,847$104,375
Hourly Rate$53.78$50.18
Entry Level (P10)$68,943$64,012
25th Percentile$87,427$80,142
75th Percentile$135,343$133,600
Top Earner (P90)$162,096$161,781
Total Employed3305
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($111,847) and Oneonta ($104,375) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.BuffaloOneontaMedian Salary$111,847$104,375Entry Level (P10)$68,943$64,012Top Earner (P90)$162,096$161,781US Median $105,689

Verdict

Buffalo, NY offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oneonta.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Oneonta is $7,472 (7.16%). Buffalo's median is +5.83% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buffalo spans $93,153,Oneonta spans $97,769. Oneonta has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$68,943
P25$87,427
Median$111,847
P75$135,343
P90 (Top)$162,096
Oneonta
P10 (Entry)$64,012
P25$80,142
Median$104,375
P75$133,600
P90 (Top)$161,781

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($116,697 effective) pays 29.58% more than Oneonta ($90,056 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $111,847
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $116,697
Oneonta
Nominal: $104,375
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $90,056

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Higher median salary ($111,847/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($162,096)
  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,697)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Oneonta if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Buffalo grew 1.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -21.6% growth in Oneonta over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+1.8%

$104,580 (2021) → $106,440 (2025)

Oneonta, NY

+-21.6%

$126,652 (2024) → $99,329 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Buffalo or Oneonta?

Buffalo has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $111,847/year, compared to Oneonta at $104,375/year — a difference of $7,472 (7.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Oneonta?

Buffalo clinical and counseling psychologists earn $53.78/hr while Oneonta hygienists earn $50.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Oneonta as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Oneonta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $116,697, job availability (330 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Buffalo vs Oneonta?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $68,943 in Buffalo and $64,012 in Oneonta. The Buffalo 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