Psychologist Pay

Liberty vs St. Louis: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Liberty, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Liberty, MO
$101,598
$48.84/hr
St. Louis, MO
$106,394
$51.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLiberty, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$101,598$106,394
Hourly Rate$48.84$51.15
Entry Level (P10)$58,927$53,328
25th Percentile$73,476$80,733
75th Percentile$130,045$134,797
Top Earner (P90)$157,476$151,231
Total Employed5410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Liberty ($101,598) and St. Louis ($106,394) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.LibertySt. LouisMedian Salary$101,598$106,394Entry Level (P10)$58,927$53,328Top Earner (P90)$157,476$151,231US Median $105,689

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Liberty.

The salary gap between Liberty and St. Louis is $4,796 (4.72%). St. Louis's median is +0.67% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Liberty spans $98,549,St. Louis spans $97,903. Liberty has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Liberty
P10 (Entry)$58,927
P25$73,476
Median$101,598
P75$130,045
P90 (Top)$157,476
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$53,328
P25$80,733
Median$106,394
P75$134,797
P90 (Top)$151,231

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Liberty ($113,391 effective) pays 1.34% more than St. Louis ($111,890 effective).

Liberty
Nominal: $101,598
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $113,391
St. Louis
Nominal: $106,394
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $111,890

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Liberty if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($157,476)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,391)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,394/year)
  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Liberty grew 37.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.9% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Liberty, MO

+37.9%

$70,101 (2024) → $96,686 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+41.9%

$71,370 (2021) → $101,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Liberty or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $106,394/year, compared to Liberty at $101,598/year — a difference of $4,796 (4.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Liberty and St. Louis?

Liberty clinical and counseling psychologists earn $48.84/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $51.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Liberty to St. Louis as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Liberty and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Liberty = $113,391, St. Louis = $111,890), job availability (5 vs 410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Liberty vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $58,927 in Liberty and $53,328 in St. Louis. The Liberty 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