Psychologist Pay

Cincinnati vs Fairfield: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Fairfield, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$105,616
$50.77/hr
Fairfield, OH
$102,293
$49.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHFairfield, OH
Median Salary$105,616$102,293
Hourly Rate$50.77$49.18
Entry Level (P10)$53,202$60,673
25th Percentile$84,358$76,991
75th Percentile$143,886$130,935
Top Earner (P90)$175,893$158,554
Total Employed6509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($105,616) and Fairfield ($102,293) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.CincinnatiFairfieldMedian Salary$105,616$102,293Entry Level (P10)$53,202$60,673Top Earner (P90)$175,893$158,554US Median $105,689

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fairfield.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Fairfield is $3,323 (3.25%). Cincinnati's median is -0.07% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $122,691,Fairfield spans $97,881. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$53,202
P25$84,358
Median$105,616
P75$143,886
P90 (Top)$175,893
Fairfield
P10 (Entry)$60,673
P25$76,991
Median$102,293
P75$130,935
P90 (Top)$158,554

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fairfield ($112,782 effective) pays 1.84% more than Cincinnati ($110,743 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $105,616
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $110,743
Fairfield
Nominal: $102,293
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $112,782

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,616/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($175,893)
  • Larger job market (650 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Fairfield if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,782)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Cincinnati grew 27.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Fairfield over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+27.2%

$78,990 (2021) → $100,510 (2025)

Fairfield, OH

+22.4%

$79,523 (2024) → $97,348 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Cincinnati or Fairfield?

Cincinnati has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $105,616/year, compared to Fairfield at $102,293/year — a difference of $3,323 (3.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Fairfield?

Cincinnati clinical and counseling psychologists earn $50.77/hr while Fairfield hygienists earn $49.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Fairfield as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Fairfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $110,743, Fairfield = $112,782), job availability (650 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Cincinnati vs Fairfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $53,202 in Cincinnati and $60,673 in Fairfield. The Fairfield 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