Entry-Level Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Green Bay, WI: $80,596 (2026)
Quick Answer:New clinical and counseling psychologists entering the Green Bay, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,596 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 19-3033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Green Bay's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $86,582 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,982) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

Graduates entering the clinical and counseling psychology field in Green Bay, WI, can expect a starting clinical and counseling psychologist salary around $80,596 in 2026, which is a significant gap from the expected median annual salary of $136,982 for the area. This creates an early-career landscape where new professionals may initially feel the weight of lower pay while they navigate their first job opportunities. However, there is a clear upward trajectory for earnings; new graduates can anticipate moving towards the $117,080 mark as they gain experience. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.08%, professionals can expect steady increases in earnings over their first 3-5 years, making Green Bay a promising market for those just starting out.
Career Earnings Timeline in Green Bay
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Green Bay
Entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists in Green Bay, WI typically start between $80,596 and $117,080 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $204,160 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,982 — 29.61% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average psychology program cost in Wisconsin of $80,000 represents just 99.26% of the starting clinical and counseling psychologist pay ($80,596/year) in Green Bay. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on APA-accredited PsyD and PhD clinical psychology program data. PsyD programs (predominantly clinical) typically charge tuition; PhD programs (research-focused) often offer full funding plus stipend. Median time-to-degree is 5-7 years; an additional 1-2 year clinical postdoc plus state EPPP exam is required for licensure.
CCP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Green Bay
- 1Research the Green Bay market: entry-level clinical and counseling psychologist pay ranges from $80,596 to $117,080, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the psychology field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Green Bay, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Green Bay for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Green Bay's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Compensation Range
The clinical and counseling psychologist wage spread in Green Bay is $204,160 ( 253.31%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,596, experienced hygienists can earn up to $284,756.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$47,020
2025 BLS Actual
$76,700
2026 Current Est.
$80,596
2021–2027 Growth
+80.1%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Green Bay (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,596 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,691 | Projected |
Entry-level clinical and counseling psychologist compensation (10th percentile) in Green Bay, WI grew 63.1% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,020 in 2021 to $76,700 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $84,691. New graduates entering the Green Bay job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Green Bay metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.08% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your psychology Career in Green Bay
In Green Bay, employers such as large hospitals and corporate group practices actively seek out new graduates to fill clinical and counseling psychologist roles. These organizations often provide structured onboarding programs designed to nurture early-career professionals. To enhance starting pay in Wisconsin, gaining state licensure and pursuing optional advanced certifications can make candidates more competitive. It's crucial for recent graduates to understand that their salary will vary widely based on their employer type and credentials, which could lead to different salary growth trajectories. Realistic expectations in the first three years may see entry-level salaries climbing steadily as they gain experience, develop their practice, and perhaps transition to more lucrative roles in private practice or specialized areas.
More salary data for Green Bay, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new psychology graduates. A 5.08% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Green Bay. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.08%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for clinical and counseling psychologists (SOC 19-3033).
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