Psychologist Pay

Clarksville vs Nashville: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Clarksville, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clarksville, TN
$76,498
$36.78/hr
Nashville, TN
$81,027
$38.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClarksville, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$76,498$81,027
Hourly Rate$36.78$38.95
Entry Level (P10)$54,232$59,402
25th Percentile$56,722$68,701
75th Percentile$99,027$109,882
Top Earner (P90)$116,965$131,854
Total Employed50460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clarksville ($76,498) and Nashville ($81,027) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.ClarksvilleNashvilleMedian Salary$76,498$81,027Entry Level (P10)$54,232$59,402Top Earner (P90)$116,965$131,854US Median $105,689

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Clarksville.

The salary gap between Clarksville and Nashville is $4,529 (5.92%). Nashville's median is -23.33% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clarksville spans $62,733,Nashville spans $72,452. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Clarksville
P10 (Entry)$54,232
P25$56,722
Median$76,498
P75$99,027
P90 (Top)$116,965
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$59,402
P25$68,701
Median$81,027
P75$109,882
P90 (Top)$131,854

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Clarksville ($84,113 effective) pays 0.01% more than Nashville ($84,107 effective).

Clarksville
Nominal: $76,498
CoL Index: 90.947
Adjusted: $84,113
Nashville
Nominal: $81,027
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $84,107

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clarksville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,113)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,027/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($131,854)
  • Larger job market (460 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Clarksville grew -3.4% from 2022 to 2025, compared to -21.3% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Clarksville, TN

+-3.4%

$75,340 (2022) → $72,800 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+-21.3%

$98,030 (2021) → $77,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Clarksville or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $81,027/year, compared to Clarksville at $76,498/year — a difference of $4,529 (5.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clarksville and Nashville?

Clarksville clinical and counseling psychologists earn $36.78/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $38.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clarksville to Nashville as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clarksville and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clarksville = $84,113, Nashville = $84,107), job availability (50 vs 460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Clarksville vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $54,232 in Clarksville and $59,402 in Nashville. The Nashville 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