Psychologist Pay

Cleveland vs Hamilton: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$106,824
$51.36/hr
Hamilton, OH
$106,553
$51.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHHamilton, OH
Median Salary$106,824$106,553
Hourly Rate$51.36$51.23
Entry Level (P10)$69,468$61,801
25th Percentile$83,885$76,718
75th Percentile$131,466$136,389
Top Earner (P90)$166,520$165,157
Total Employed32011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($106,824) and Hamilton ($106,553) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.ClevelandHamiltonMedian Salary$106,824$106,553Entry Level (P10)$69,468$61,801Top Earner (P90)$166,520$165,157US Median $105,689

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Hamilton is $271 (0.25%). Cleveland's median is +1.07% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $97,052,Hamilton spans $103,356. Hamilton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$69,468
P25$83,885
Median$106,824
P75$131,466
P90 (Top)$166,520
Hamilton
P10 (Entry)$61,801
P25$76,718
Median$106,553
P75$136,389
P90 (Top)$165,157

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hamilton ($117,479 effective) pays 3.29% more than Cleveland ($113,736 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $106,824
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $113,736
Hamilton
Nominal: $106,553
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $117,479

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,824/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($166,520)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Hamilton if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,479)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Cleveland grew -2.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Hamilton over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+-2.8%

$104,580 (2021) → $101,660 (2025)

Hamilton, OH

+22.4%

$82,834 (2024) → $101,402 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Cleveland or Hamilton?

Cleveland has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $106,824/year, compared to Hamilton at $106,553/year — a difference of $271 (0.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Hamilton?

Cleveland clinical and counseling psychologists earn $51.36/hr while Hamilton hygienists earn $51.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Hamilton as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Hamilton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $113,736, Hamilton = $117,479), job availability (320 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Cleveland vs Hamilton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $69,468 in Cleveland and $61,801 in Hamilton. The Cleveland 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