Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Pay in Wheaton, MD: $55.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a clinical and counseling psychologist working in Wheaton, MD runs $55.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $115,503 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Weighted against Wheaton's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,307 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Clinical and counseling psychologists in Wheaton, MD, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $55.53 in 2026, which surpasses the national median of $50.81. This rate provides significant opportunities for those opting for part-time positions, like working three days a week, as they can still earn a substantial income within clinical settings commonly associated with this profession. For entry-level positions, hourly pay begins at around $32.21—an accessible rate considering the industry's educational requirements—while experienced psychologists can earn up to $86.07 per hour, marking a clear distinction between various experience levels. Given that these hourly figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, they reflect both the local market dynamics specific to Wheaton and the broader expectations set by the national averages.
About the Wheaton Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($105,350) adjusted for local cost of living.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.21 | $257.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.98 | $319.86 |
| Median (P50) | $55.53 | $444.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.08 | $568.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.07 | $688.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheaton
Based on $55.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.53/hr, a clinical and counseling psychologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheaton, MD can expect to earn approximately $115,512 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,642. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wheaton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheaton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,221.39 | $9,626 | $115,512 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,332.83 | $5,776 | $69,307 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $888.56 | $3,850 | $46,205 |
Compare CCP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist (Wheaton) | $55.53 |
| School Psychologist (National Avg) | $41.79 |
| Psychiatrist (National Avg) | $116.00 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.16 |
| Clinical Social Worker (Mental Health & Substance Abuse) (National Avg) | $30.99 |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Wheaton, MD earn a median of $115,503 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.29% higher than the national median of $105,689.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.53/hr = $69,307/year (purchasing power: $63,410).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $115,512/year (purchasing power: $105,684).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$43.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.53/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Wheaton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $43.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for clinical and counseling psychologists in Wheaton grew 21.9% from $43.36/hr (2021) to $52.85/hr (2025). At a 5.08% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.36/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem clinical and counseling psychologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheaton 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.
Working as an Hourly Clinical and Counseling Psychologist in Wheaton
Part-time clinical and counseling psychologists working 24 hours a week in Wheaton can realistically take home approximately $43,523 annually, highlighting a contrast to full-time earnings. In contrast, per diem roles often attract a premium pay rate of about 10-25% over standard wages, making options like per diem clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Wheaton particularly appealing for flexible or temporary positions. Compensation also tends to vary significantly across employer types; private practices may offer lower hourly rates compared to larger healthcare organizations and community health centers that might provide more comprehensive benefits packages. Understanding this trade-off is crucial, as some professionals accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance and job security. Those engaged in hourly work may benefit from negotiating not just based on pay, but also on potential benefits and work-life balance options to achieve a satisfactory arrangement.
More salary data for Wheaton, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for clinical and counseling psychologists in Wheaton in 2026?
How much do part-time clinical and counseling psychologists make in Wheaton?
Are clinical and counseling psychologists in Wheaton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time clinical and counseling psychologist make per year in Wheaton?
Do clinical and counseling psychologists earn more per hour working part-time in Wheaton?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.08% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for clinical and counseling psychologists in Wheaton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wheaton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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