Psychologist Pay

Edinburg vs Houston: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Edinburg, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Edinburg, TX
$76,649
$36.85/hr
Houston, TX
$103,178
$49.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEdinburg, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$76,649$103,178
Hourly Rate$36.85$49.61
Entry Level (P10)$44,456$58,992
25th Percentile$55,187$82,246
75th Percentile$98,110$111,490
Top Earner (P90)$118,806$144,306
Total Employed22560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Edinburg ($76,649) and Houston ($103,178) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.EdinburgHoustonMedian Salary$76,649$103,178Entry Level (P10)$44,456$58,992Top Earner (P90)$118,806$144,306US Median $105,689

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Edinburg.

The salary gap between Edinburg and Houston is $26,529 (34.61%). Houston's median is -2.38% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Edinburg spans $74,350,Houston spans $85,314. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Edinburg
P10 (Entry)$44,456
P25$55,187
Median$76,649
P75$98,110
P90 (Top)$118,806
Houston
P10 (Entry)$58,992
P25$82,246
Median$103,178
P75$111,490
P90 (Top)$144,306

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($104,612 effective) pays 31.02% more than Edinburg ($79,843 effective).

Edinburg
Nominal: $76,649
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $79,843
Houston
Nominal: $103,178
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $104,612

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Edinburg if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,178/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($144,306)
  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,612)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Edinburg grew 1.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.3% growth in Houston over the same period.

Edinburg, TX

+1.6%

$71,767 (2024) → $72,943 (2025)

Houston, TX

+24.3%

$78,990 (2021) → $98,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Edinburg or Houston?

Houston has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $103,178/year, compared to Edinburg at $76,649/year — a difference of $26,529 (34.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Edinburg and Houston?

Edinburg clinical and counseling psychologists earn $36.85/hr while Houston hygienists earn $49.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Edinburg to Houston as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Edinburg and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Edinburg = $79,843, Houston = $104,612), job availability (22 vs 560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Edinburg vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $44,456 in Edinburg and $58,992 in Houston. The Houston 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