Psychologist Pay

Moorhead vs St. Paul: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Moorhead, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Moorhead, MN
$109,629
$52.71/hr
St. Paul, MN
$112,846
$54.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoorhead, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$109,629$112,846
Hourly Rate$52.71$54.25
Entry Level (P10)$65,386$65,451
25th Percentile$82,694$81,612
75th Percentile$140,325$144,443
Top Earner (P90)$169,925$174,912
Total Employed1180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moorhead ($109,629) and St. Paul ($112,846) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.MoorheadSt. PaulMedian Salary$109,629$112,846Entry Level (P10)$65,386$65,451Top Earner (P90)$169,925$174,912US Median $105,689

Verdict

St. Paul, MN offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Moorhead.

The salary gap between Moorhead and St. Paul is $3,217 (2.93%). St. Paul's median is +6.77% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Moorhead spans $104,539,St. Paul spans $109,461. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Moorhead
P10 (Entry)$65,386
P25$82,694
Median$109,629
P75$140,325
P90 (Top)$169,925
St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$65,451
P25$81,612
Median$112,846
P75$144,443
P90 (Top)$174,912

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Paul ($114,564 effective) pays 2.93% more than Moorhead ($111,298 effective).

Moorhead
Nominal: $109,629
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $111,298
St. Paul
Nominal: $112,846
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $114,564

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Moorhead if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Higher median salary ($112,846/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($174,912)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,564)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Moorhead grew 14.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.1% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

Moorhead, MN

+14.5%

$91,112 (2024) → $104,329 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+9.1%

$98,475 (2024) → $107,391 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Moorhead or St. Paul?

St. Paul has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $112,846/year, compared to Moorhead at $109,629/year — a difference of $3,217 (2.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moorhead and St. Paul?

Moorhead clinical and counseling psychologists earn $52.71/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $54.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Moorhead to St. Paul as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moorhead and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moorhead = $111,298, St. Paul = $114,564), job availability (11 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Moorhead vs St. Paul?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $65,386 in Moorhead and $65,451 in St. Paul. The St. Paul 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