Psychologist Pay

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

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

Cleveland, OH
$106,824
$51.36/hr
Westerville, OH
$105,095
$50.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHWesterville, OH
Median Salary$106,824$105,095
Hourly Rate$51.36$50.52
Entry Level (P10)$69,468$60,955
25th Percentile$83,885$76,169
75th Percentile$131,466$134,521
Top Earner (P90)$166,520$162,897
Total Employed3208
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($106,824) and Westerville ($105,095) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.ClevelandWestervilleMedian Salary$106,824$105,095Entry Level (P10)$69,468$60,955Top Earner (P90)$166,520$162,897US Median $105,689

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Westerville is $1,729 (1.65%). 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,Westerville spans $101,942. Westerville 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
Westerville
P10 (Entry)$60,955
P25$76,169
Median$105,095
P75$134,521
P90 (Top)$162,897

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Westerville ($115,871 effective) pays 1.88% more than Cleveland ($113,736 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $106,824
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $113,736
Westerville
Nominal: $105,095
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $115,871

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 Westerville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,871)
  • 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 Westerville over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+-2.8%

$104,580 (2021) → $101,660 (2025)

Westerville, OH

+22.4%

$81,701 (2024) → $100,014 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $106,824/year, compared to Westerville at $105,095/year — a difference of $1,729 (1.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Westerville?

Cleveland clinical and counseling psychologists earn $51.36/hr while Westerville hygienists earn $50.52/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Westerville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $113,736, Westerville = $115,871), job availability (320 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $69,468 in Cleveland and $60,955 in Westerville. 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