Psychologist Pay

New London vs Waterbury: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between New London, CT and Waterbury, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New London, CT
$109,835
$52.80/hr
Waterbury, CT
$105,731
$50.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew London, CTWaterbury, CT
Median Salary$109,835$105,731
Hourly Rate$52.80$50.83
Entry Level (P10)$65,305$66,348
25th Percentile$83,042$100,351
75th Percentile$140,589$128,712
Top Earner (P90)$170,244$150,611
Total Employed560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New London ($109,835) and Waterbury ($105,731) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.New LondonWaterburyMedian Salary$109,835$105,731Entry Level (P10)$65,305$66,348Top Earner (P90)$170,244$150,611US Median $105,689

Verdict

New London, CT offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Waterbury.

The salary gap between New London and Waterbury is $4,104 (3.88%). New London's median is +3.92% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New London spans $104,939,Waterbury spans $84,263. New London has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New London
P10 (Entry)$65,305
P25$83,042
Median$109,835
P75$140,589
P90 (Top)$170,244
Waterbury
P10 (Entry)$66,348
P25$100,351
Median$105,731
P75$128,712
P90 (Top)$150,611

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waterbury ($105,966 effective) pays 4.10% more than New London ($101,793 effective).

New London
Nominal: $109,835
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $101,793
Waterbury
Nominal: $105,731
CoL Index: 99.778
Adjusted: $105,966

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New London if…

  • Higher median salary ($109,835/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($170,244)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Waterbury if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,966)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in New London grew -5.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -19.2% growth in Waterbury over the same period.

New London, CT

+-5.9%

$111,041 (2024) → $104,525 (2025)

Waterbury, CT

+-19.2%

$124,600 (2023) → $100,620 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: New London or Waterbury?

New London has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $109,835/year, compared to Waterbury at $105,731/year — a difference of $4,104 (3.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New London and Waterbury?

New London clinical and counseling psychologists earn $52.80/hr while Waterbury hygienists earn $50.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New London to Waterbury as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New London and Waterbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New London = $101,793, Waterbury = $105,966), job availability (5 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in New London vs Waterbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $65,305 in New London and $66,348 in Waterbury. The Waterbury 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