Psychologist Pay

Huntsville vs Pelham: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Huntsville, AL and Pelham, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntsville, AL
$97,307
$46.78/hr
Pelham, AL
$85,912
$41.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALPelham, AL
Median Salary$97,307$85,912
Hourly Rate$46.78$41.31
Entry Level (P10)$56,438$51,753
25th Percentile$70,061$65,013
75th Percentile$124,553$109,968
Top Earner (P90)$150,827$133,164
Total Employed464
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($97,307) and Pelham ($85,912) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.HuntsvillePelhamMedian Salary$97,307$85,912Entry Level (P10)$56,438$51,753Top Earner (P90)$150,827$133,164US Median $105,689

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pelham.

The salary gap between Huntsville and Pelham is $11,395 (13.26%). Huntsville's median is -7.93% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntsville spans $94,389,Pelham spans $81,411. Huntsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$56,438
P25$70,061
Median$97,307
P75$124,553
P90 (Top)$150,827
Pelham
P10 (Entry)$51,753
P25$65,013
Median$85,912
P75$109,968
P90 (Top)$133,164

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($110,702 effective) pays 13.26% more than Pelham ($97,738 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $97,307
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $110,702
Pelham
Nominal: $85,912
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $97,738

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,307/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($150,827)
  • Larger job market (46 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,702)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Pelham if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Huntsville grew 82.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 0.3% growth in Pelham over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+82.3%

$50,800 (2021) → $92,603 (2025)

Pelham, AL

+0.3%

$81,548 (2024) → $81,759 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Huntsville or Pelham?

Huntsville has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $97,307/year, compared to Pelham at $85,912/year — a difference of $11,395 (13.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Pelham?

Huntsville clinical and counseling psychologists earn $46.78/hr while Pelham hygienists earn $41.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntsville to Pelham as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Pelham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $110,702, Pelham = $97,738), job availability (46 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Huntsville vs Pelham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $56,438 in Huntsville and $51,753 in Pelham. The Huntsville area offers higher starting salaries.
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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