Psychologist Pay

Holly Springs vs Raleigh: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Holly Springs, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Holly Springs, NC
$91,984
$44.23/hr
Raleigh, NC
$101,465
$48.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHolly Springs, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$91,984$101,465
Hourly Rate$44.23$48.78
Entry Level (P10)$55,359$78,495
25th Percentile$67,707$83,055
75th Percentile$117,739$127,357
Top Earner (P90)$142,575$128,660
Total Employed10520
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Holly Springs ($91,984) and Raleigh ($101,465) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.Holly SpringsRaleighMedian Salary$91,984$101,465Entry Level (P10)$55,359$78,495Top Earner (P90)$142,575$128,660US Median $105,689

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Holly Springs.

The salary gap between Holly Springs and Raleigh is $9,481 (10.31%). Raleigh's median is -4.00% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Holly Springs spans $87,216,Raleigh spans $50,165. Holly Springs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Holly Springs
P10 (Entry)$55,359
P25$67,707
Median$91,984
P75$117,739
P90 (Top)$142,575
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$78,495
P25$83,055
Median$101,465
P75$127,357
P90 (Top)$128,660

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($103,370 effective) pays 5.19% more than Holly Springs ($98,274 effective).

Holly Springs
Nominal: $91,984
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $98,274
Raleigh
Nominal: $101,465
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $103,370

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Holly Springs if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($142,575)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,465/year)
  • Larger job market (520 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,370)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Holly Springs grew 18.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -2.1% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Holly Springs, NC

+18.0%

$74,204 (2024) → $87,537 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+-2.1%

$98,680 (2021) → $96,560 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Holly Springs or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $101,465/year, compared to Holly Springs at $91,984/year — a difference of $9,481 (10.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Holly Springs and Raleigh?

Holly Springs clinical and counseling psychologists earn $44.23/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $48.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Holly Springs to Raleigh as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Holly Springs and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Holly Springs = $98,274, Raleigh = $103,370), job availability (10 vs 520 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Holly Springs vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $55,359 in Holly Springs and $78,495 in Raleigh. The Raleigh 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