Psychologist Pay

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

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

Cincinnati, OH
$105,616
$50.77/hr
Kettering, OH
$119,928
$57.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHKettering, OH
Median Salary$105,616$119,928
Hourly Rate$50.77$57.66
Entry Level (P10)$53,202$69,558
25th Percentile$84,358$88,381
75th Percentile$143,886$153,507
Top Earner (P90)$175,893$185,889
Total Employed65010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($105,616) and Kettering ($119,928) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.CincinnatiKetteringMedian Salary$105,616$119,928Entry Level (P10)$53,202$69,558Top Earner (P90)$175,893$185,889US Median $105,689

Verdict

Kettering, OH offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cincinnati.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Kettering is $14,312 (13.55%). Kettering's median is +13.47% 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,Kettering spans $116,331. 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
Kettering
P10 (Entry)$69,558
P25$88,381
Median$119,928
P75$153,507
P90 (Top)$185,889

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kettering ($132,225 effective) pays 19.40% more than Cincinnati ($110,743 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $105,616
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $110,743
Kettering
Nominal: $119,928
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $132,225

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Larger job market (650 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Kettering if…

  • Higher median salary ($119,928/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($185,889)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,225)
  • 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 41.1% growth in Kettering over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+27.2%

$78,990 (2021) → $100,510 (2025)

Kettering, OH

+41.1%

$80,867 (2024) → $114,130 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Kettering has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $119,928/year, compared to Cincinnati at $105,616/year — a difference of $14,312 (13.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Kettering?

Cincinnati clinical and counseling psychologists earn $50.77/hr while Kettering hygienists earn $57.66/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Kettering. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $110,743, Kettering = $132,225), job availability (650 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $53,202 in Cincinnati and $69,558 in Kettering. The Kettering 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