Psychologist Pay

Shawnee vs Tulsa: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Shawnee, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Shawnee, OK
$91,311
$43.90/hr
Tulsa, OK
$84,484
$40.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShawnee, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$91,311$84,484
Hourly Rate$43.90$40.62
Entry Level (P10)$52,960$65,770
25th Percentile$70,034$66,064
75th Percentile$116,878$103,357
Top Earner (P90)$141,532$243,134
Total Employed7330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shawnee ($91,311) and Tulsa ($84,484) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.ShawneeTulsaMedian Salary$91,311$84,484Entry Level (P10)$52,960$65,770Top Earner (P90)$141,532$243,134US Median $105,689

Verdict

Shawnee and Tulsa are closely matched on overall clinical and counseling psychologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Shawnee and Tulsa is $6,827 (8.08%). Shawnee's median is -13.60% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shawnee spans $88,572,Tulsa spans $177,364. Tulsa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Shawnee
P10 (Entry)$52,960
P25$70,034
Median$91,311
P75$116,878
P90 (Top)$141,532
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$65,770
P25$66,064
Median$84,484
P75$103,357
P90 (Top)$243,134

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shawnee ($102,712 effective) pays 8.46% more than Tulsa ($94,698 effective).

Shawnee
Nominal: $91,311
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $102,712
Tulsa
Nominal: $84,484
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $94,698

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shawnee if…

  • Higher median salary ($91,311/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,712)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($243,134)
  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Shawnee grew 32.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.9% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Shawnee, OK

+32.9%

$65,401 (2024) → $86,897 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+22.9%

$65,400 (2021) → $80,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Shawnee or Tulsa?

Shawnee has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $91,311/year, compared to Tulsa at $84,484/year — a difference of $6,827 (8.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shawnee and Tulsa?

Shawnee clinical and counseling psychologists earn $43.90/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $40.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shawnee to Tulsa as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shawnee and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shawnee = $102,712, Tulsa = $94,698), job availability (7 vs 330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Shawnee vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $52,960 in Shawnee and $65,770 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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