Psychologist Pay

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

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

Houston, TX
$103,178
$49.61/hr
Pflugerville, TX
$80,435
$38.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXPflugerville, TX
Median Salary$103,178$80,435
Hourly Rate$49.61$38.67
Entry Level (P10)$58,992$46,652
25th Percentile$82,246$60,488
75th Percentile$111,490$102,956
Top Earner (P90)$144,306$124,673
Total Employed56016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($103,178) and Pflugerville ($80,435) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.HoustonPflugervilleMedian Salary$103,178$80,435Entry Level (P10)$58,992$46,652Top Earner (P90)$144,306$124,673US Median $105,689

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Pflugerville is $22,743 (28.28%). 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 Houston spans $85,314,Pflugerville spans $78,021. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$58,992
P25$82,246
Median$103,178
P75$111,490
P90 (Top)$144,306
Pflugerville
P10 (Entry)$46,652
P25$60,488
Median$80,435
P75$102,956
P90 (Top)$124,673

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($104,612 effective) pays 24.86% more than Pflugerville ($83,786 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $103,178
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $104,612
Pflugerville
Nominal: $80,435
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $83,786

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Pflugerville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Houston grew 24.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 6.3% growth in Pflugerville over the same period.

Houston, TX

+24.3%

$78,990 (2021) → $98,190 (2025)

Pflugerville, TX

+6.3%

$72,012 (2024) → $76,546 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Houston has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $103,178/year, compared to Pflugerville at $80,435/year — a difference of $22,743 (28.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Pflugerville?

Houston clinical and counseling psychologists earn $49.61/hr while Pflugerville hygienists earn $38.67/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Pflugerville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $104,612, Pflugerville = $83,786), job availability (560 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $58,992 in Houston and $46,652 in Pflugerville. 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