Psychologist Pay

Somerville vs Worcester: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Somerville, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Somerville, MA
$112,510
$54.10/hr
Worcester, MA
$117,753
$56.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSomerville, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$112,510$117,753
Hourly Rate$54.10$56.61
Entry Level (P10)$65,256$62,586
25th Percentile$81,208$83,696
75th Percentile$144,013$170,776
Top Earner (P90)$174,391$231,512
Total Employed20350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Somerville ($112,510) and Worcester ($117,753) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.SomervilleWorcesterMedian Salary$112,510$117,753Entry Level (P10)$65,256$62,586Top Earner (P90)$174,391$231,512US Median $105,689

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Somerville.

The salary gap between Somerville and Worcester is $5,243 (4.66%). Worcester's median is +11.41% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Somerville spans $109,135,Worcester spans $168,926. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Somerville
P10 (Entry)$65,256
P25$81,208
Median$112,510
P75$144,013
P90 (Top)$174,391
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$62,586
P25$83,696
Median$117,753
P75$170,776
P90 (Top)$231,512

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($114,855 effective) pays 10.76% more than Somerville ($103,696 effective).

Somerville
Nominal: $112,510
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $103,696
Worcester
Nominal: $117,753
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $114,855

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Somerville if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($117,753/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($231,512)
  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,855)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Somerville grew -4.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.7% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Somerville, MA

+-4.6%

$112,279 (2024) → $107,071 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+41.7%

$79,110 (2021) → $112,060 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Somerville or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $117,753/year, compared to Somerville at $112,510/year — a difference of $5,243 (4.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Somerville and Worcester?

Somerville clinical and counseling psychologists earn $54.10/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $56.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Somerville to Worcester as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Somerville and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Somerville = $103,696, Worcester = $114,855), job availability (20 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Somerville vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $65,256 in Somerville and $62,586 in Worcester. The Somerville 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