Psychologist Pay

Normal vs Peoria: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Normal, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Normal, IL
$81,502
$39.18/hr
Peoria, IL
$103,052
$49.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNormal, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$81,502$103,052
Hourly Rate$39.18$49.55
Entry Level (P10)$47,271$51,542
25th Percentile$58,682$77,202
75th Percentile$104,322$128,954
Top Earner (P90)$126,328$176,335
Total Employed870
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Normal ($81,502) and Peoria ($103,052) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.NormalPeoriaMedian Salary$81,502$103,052Entry Level (P10)$47,271$51,542Top Earner (P90)$126,328$176,335US Median $105,689

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Normal.

The salary gap between Normal and Peoria is $21,550 (26.44%). Peoria's median is -2.50% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Normal spans $79,057,Peoria spans $124,793. Peoria has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Normal
P10 (Entry)$47,271
P25$58,682
Median$81,502
P75$104,322
P90 (Top)$126,328
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$51,542
P25$77,202
Median$103,052
P75$128,954
P90 (Top)$176,335

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($112,957 effective) pays 34.58% more than Normal ($83,936 effective).

Normal
Nominal: $81,502
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $83,936
Peoria
Nominal: $103,052
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $112,957

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Normal if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,052/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($176,335)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,957)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Normal grew -27.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 58.1% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Normal, IL

+-27.0%

$106,304 (2024) → $77,562 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+58.1%

$62,020 (2022) → $98,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Normal or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $103,052/year, compared to Normal at $81,502/year — a difference of $21,550 (26.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Normal and Peoria?

Normal clinical and counseling psychologists earn $39.18/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $49.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Normal to Peoria as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Normal and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Normal = $83,936, Peoria = $112,957), job availability (8 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Normal vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $47,271 in Normal and $51,542 in Peoria. The Peoria 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