Psychologist Pay

SeaTac vs Spokane: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between SeaTac, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

SeaTac, WA
$111,228
$53.48/hr
Spokane, WA
$118,215
$56.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeaTac, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$111,228$118,215
Hourly Rate$53.48$56.84
Entry Level (P10)$64,513$73,461
25th Percentile$80,085$100,499
75th Percentile$142,372$149,266
Top Earner (P90)$172,404$160,520
Total Employed6120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing SeaTac ($111,228) and Spokane ($118,215) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.SeaTacSpokaneMedian Salary$111,228$118,215Entry Level (P10)$64,513$73,461Top Earner (P90)$172,404$160,520US Median $105,689

Verdict

Spokane, WA offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to SeaTac.

The salary gap between SeaTac and Spokane is $6,987 (6.28%). Spokane's median is +11.85% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in SeaTac spans $107,891,Spokane spans $87,059. SeaTac has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

SeaTac
P10 (Entry)$64,513
P25$80,085
Median$111,228
P75$142,372
P90 (Top)$172,404
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$73,461
P25$100,499
Median$118,215
P75$149,266
P90 (Top)$160,520

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($117,807 effective) pays 13.75% more than SeaTac ($103,564 effective).

SeaTac
Nominal: $111,228
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $103,564
Spokane
Nominal: $118,215
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $117,807

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose SeaTac if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($172,404)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Higher median salary ($118,215/year)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,807)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in SeaTac grew -4.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.4% growth in Spokane over the same period.

SeaTac, WA

+-4.4%

$110,703 (2024) → $105,851 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+9.4%

$102,810 (2021) → $112,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: SeaTac or Spokane?

Spokane has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $118,215/year, compared to SeaTac at $111,228/year — a difference of $6,987 (6.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between SeaTac and Spokane?

SeaTac clinical and counseling psychologists earn $53.48/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $56.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from SeaTac to Spokane as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing SeaTac and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: SeaTac = $103,564, Spokane = $117,807), job availability (6 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in SeaTac vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $64,513 in SeaTac and $73,461 in Spokane. The Spokane 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