Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Decatur, AL: $93,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Decatur, AL earns a median $93,073/year (≈ $44.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $105,885 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Decatur, Alabama, the estimated annual compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists is projected at $93,073 in 2026. This figure, while competitive regionally, falls below the national median of $105,689, reflecting an approximate 11.94% deficit due to local economic conditions. Within the city, salaries also exhibit a significant range from $53,982 at the lower end to $144,262 at the higher end, according to estimates derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price parities. Such a distribution indicates variability in pay that may relate to practitioner experience and specialization, as well as the specific employers within the city’s healthcare landscape.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($100,320) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,982 | $25.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,013 | $32.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,073 | $44.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,132 | $57.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,262 | $69.35 |
Median Salary Position
11.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,280 (2026 est.). At $93,073, the local median is 11.94% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Decatur median: $93,073/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $92,887 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $105,689 | -11.94% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Decatur, AL earn a median of $93,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.94% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 0.20% above the Alabama state average of $92,887.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $93,073 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,885 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$72,660
2025 BLS Actual
$88,573
2026 Current Est.
$93,073
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Decatur (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $72,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,628 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,344 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,573 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,801 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $72,660 (2021) to $88,573 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,801 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,141 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $53,982 – $67,013 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,013 – $93,073 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,073 – $119,132 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,132 – $144,262 |
CCP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual clinical and counseling psychologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Job Market in Decatur
The job market for clinical and counseling psychologists in Decatur consists of only nine professionals, highlighting a specialized field with limited competition. With a cost-of-living index of 87.9, wages here offer relatively better purchasing power compared to many metropolitan areas. Among local employers, large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to provide the higher salaries, driven by a demand for specialized treatments and varying benefits structures. Factors influencing the pay scale include shifts in demand for specific psychological services and the qualifications of practitioners, impacting their earning potential. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Decatur, obtaining advanced certifications and networking with local employers can prove beneficial in enhancing salary negotiations.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Decatur?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $88,573 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Decatur metropolitan area. A 5.08% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Decatur 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