Psychologist Pay

Fort Worth vs San Antonio: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Fort Worth, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Worth, TX
$111,160
$53.44/hr
San Antonio, TX
$85,472
$41.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Worth, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$111,160$85,472
Hourly Rate$53.44$41.10
Entry Level (P10)$64,473$53,980
25th Percentile$80,851$63,216
75th Percentile$142,285$115,441
Top Earner (P90)$172,298$146,418
Total Employed219500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Worth ($111,160) and San Antonio ($85,472) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.Fort WorthSan AntonioMedian Salary$111,160$85,472Entry Level (P10)$64,473$53,980Top Earner (P90)$172,298$146,418US Median $105,689

Verdict

Fort Worth, TX offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Antonio.

The salary gap between Fort Worth and San Antonio is $25,688 (30.05%). Fort Worth's median is +5.18% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Worth spans $107,825,San Antonio spans $92,438. Fort Worth has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Worth
P10 (Entry)$64,473
P25$80,851
Median$111,160
P75$142,285
P90 (Top)$172,298
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$53,980
P25$63,216
Median$85,472
P75$115,441
P90 (Top)$146,418

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Worth ($115,792 effective) pays 28.31% more than San Antonio ($90,240 effective).

Fort Worth
Nominal: $111,160
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $115,792
San Antonio
Nominal: $85,472
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $90,240

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Worth if…

  • Higher median salary ($111,160/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($172,298)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,792)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Fort Worth grew 35.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.2% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Fort Worth, TX

+35.4%

$78,118 (2024) → $105,786 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+7.2%

$75,860 (2021) → $81,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Fort Worth or San Antonio?

Fort Worth has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $111,160/year, compared to San Antonio at $85,472/year — a difference of $25,688 (30.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Worth and San Antonio?

Fort Worth clinical and counseling psychologists earn $53.44/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $41.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Worth to San Antonio as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Worth and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Worth = $115,792, San Antonio = $90,240), job availability (219 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Fort Worth vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $64,473 in Fort Worth and $53,980 in San Antonio. The Fort Worth 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