Psychologist Pay

Salem vs Sherwood: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Salem, OR and Sherwood, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Salem, OR
$151,294
$72.74/hr
Sherwood, OR
$102,750
$49.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalem, ORSherwood, OR
Median Salary$151,294$102,750
Hourly Rate$72.74$49.40
Entry Level (P10)$119,108$59,595
25th Percentile$147,606$74,480
75th Percentile$165,627$131,520
Top Earner (P90)$171,638$159,263
Total Employed1304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salem ($151,294) and Sherwood ($102,750) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.SalemSherwoodMedian Salary$151,294$102,750Entry Level (P10)$119,108$59,595Top Earner (P90)$171,638$159,263US Median $105,689

Verdict

Salem, OR offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sherwood.

The salary gap between Salem and Sherwood is $48,544 (47.24%). Salem's median is +43.15% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salem spans $52,530,Sherwood spans $99,668. Sherwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Salem
P10 (Entry)$119,108
P25$147,606
Median$151,294
P75$165,627
P90 (Top)$171,638
Sherwood
P10 (Entry)$59,595
P25$74,480
Median$102,750
P75$131,520
P90 (Top)$159,263

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salem ($145,968 effective) pays 45.75% more than Sherwood ($100,146 effective).

Salem
Nominal: $151,294
CoL Index: 103.649
Adjusted: $145,968
Sherwood
Nominal: $102,750
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $100,146

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Salem if…

  • Higher median salary ($151,294/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($171,638)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $145,968)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Sherwood if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Salem grew 11.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -22.4% growth in Sherwood over the same period.

Salem, OR

+11.2%

$129,500 (2021) → $143,980 (2025)

Sherwood, OR

+-22.4%

$125,996 (2024) → $97,783 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Salem or Sherwood?

Salem has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $151,294/year, compared to Sherwood at $102,750/year — a difference of $48,544 (47.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salem and Sherwood?

Salem clinical and counseling psychologists earn $72.74/hr while Sherwood hygienists earn $49.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Salem to Sherwood as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salem and Sherwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salem = $145,968, Sherwood = $100,146), job availability (130 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Salem vs Sherwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $119,108 in Salem and $59,595 in Sherwood. The Salem 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