Psychologist Pay

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

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

Salem, OR
$151,294
$72.74/hr
Woodburn, OR
$106,661
$51.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalem, ORWoodburn, OR
Median Salary$151,294$106,661
Hourly Rate$72.74$51.28
Entry Level (P10)$119,108$61,864
25th Percentile$147,606$76,889
75th Percentile$165,627$136,526
Top Earner (P90)$171,638$165,326
Total Employed1304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salem ($151,294) and Woodburn ($106,661) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.SalemWoodburnMedian Salary$151,294$106,661Entry Level (P10)$119,108$61,864Top Earner (P90)$171,638$165,326US Median $105,689

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Salem and Woodburn is $44,633 (41.85%). 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,Woodburn spans $103,462. Woodburn 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
Woodburn
P10 (Entry)$61,864
P25$76,889
Median$106,661
P75$136,526
P90 (Top)$165,326

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salem ($145,968 effective) pays 40.41% more than Woodburn ($103,958 effective).

Salem
Nominal: $151,294
CoL Index: 103.649
Adjusted: $145,968
Woodburn
Nominal: $106,661
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $103,958

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 Woodburn 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 Woodburn over the same period.

Salem, OR

+11.2%

$129,500 (2021) → $143,980 (2025)

Woodburn, OR

+-22.4%

$130,791 (2024) → $101,505 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Salem has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $151,294/year, compared to Woodburn at $106,661/year — a difference of $44,633 (41.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salem and Woodburn?

Salem clinical and counseling psychologists earn $72.74/hr while Woodburn hygienists earn $51.28/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salem and Woodburn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salem = $145,968, Woodburn = $103,958), job availability (130 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $119,108 in Salem and $61,864 in Woodburn. 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