Psychologist Pay

Liberal vs Olathe: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Liberal, KS and Olathe, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Liberal, KS
$89,603
$43.08/hr
Olathe, KS
$96,399
$46.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLiberal, KSOlathe, KS
Median Salary$89,603$96,399
Hourly Rate$43.08$46.35
Entry Level (P10)$54,866$55,912
25th Percentile$68,737$71,139
75th Percentile$114,428$123,391
Top Earner (P90)$138,884$149,419
Total Employed433
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Liberal ($89,603) and Olathe ($96,399) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.LiberalOlatheMedian Salary$89,603$96,399Entry Level (P10)$54,866$55,912Top Earner (P90)$138,884$149,419US Median $105,689

Verdict

Olathe, KS offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Liberal.

The salary gap between Liberal and Olathe is $6,796 (7.58%). Olathe's median is -8.79% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Liberal spans $84,018,Olathe spans $93,507. Olathe has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Liberal
P10 (Entry)$54,866
P25$68,737
Median$89,603
P75$114,428
P90 (Top)$138,884
Olathe
P10 (Entry)$55,912
P25$71,139
Median$96,399
P75$123,391
P90 (Top)$149,419

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Olathe ($106,050 effective) pays 7.58% more than Liberal ($98,573 effective).

Liberal
Nominal: $89,603
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $98,573
Olathe
Nominal: $96,399
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $106,050

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Liberal if…

  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Olathe if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,399/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($149,419)
  • Larger job market (33 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,050)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Liberal grew 18.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.9% growth in Olathe over the same period.

Liberal, KS

+18.9%

$71,698 (2024) → $85,271 (2025)

Olathe, KS

+18.9%

$77,137 (2024) → $91,739 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Liberal or Olathe?

Olathe has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $96,399/year, compared to Liberal at $89,603/year — a difference of $6,796 (7.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Liberal and Olathe?

Liberal clinical and counseling psychologists earn $43.08/hr while Olathe hygienists earn $46.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Liberal to Olathe as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Liberal and Olathe. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Liberal = $98,573, Olathe = $106,050), job availability (4 vs 33 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Liberal vs Olathe?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $54,866 in Liberal and $55,912 in Olathe. The Olathe area offers higher starting salaries.
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