Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Little Rock, AR: $82,110 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Little Rock, AR earns a median $82,110/year (≈ $39.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $91,883 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.6% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Little Rock, AR, the employment landscape for clinical and counseling psychologists features about 90 practitioners, indicating a relatively saturated job market. The projected median annual salary for these professionals in 2026 is $82,110, which is notably lower than the national median of $105,689, placing Little Rock's compensation approximately 22.31% behind the national average. Salaries in this field vary significantly, with a salary range between $63,857 at the 10th percentile and $121,620 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse range of earning potential based on factors such as experience and specialization. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected forward to 2026, highlighting both the local context and the trends affecting clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Little Rock.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,857 | $30.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,372 | $30.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,907 | $46.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,620 | $58.47 |
Median Salary Position
22.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,763 (2026 est.). At $82,110, the local median is 22.31% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Little Rock Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $82,110/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $91,845 | -10.60% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -22.31% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $82,110 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.31% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 10.60% below the Arkansas state average of $91,845.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $82,110 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,883 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$62,260
2025 BLS Actual
$78,140
2026 Current Est.
$82,110
2021–2027 Growth
+38.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Little Rock (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $62,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,021 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,142 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,110 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,281 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 25.5% from $62,260 (2021) to $78,140 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,281 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,021 (38.58%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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) | $63,857 – $64,372 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,372 – $82,110 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,110 – $95,907 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,907 – $121,620 |
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 Little Rock
The cost of living in Little Rock is relatively low, with a Cost of Living Index of 89.364, which enhances the purchasing power of a clinical and counseling psychologist's salary even if it remains below national figures. Among the various employment options available, large healthcare organizations tend to offer the highest compensation, followed closely by specialty clinics and community health centers. A considerable range in salaries can be attributed to factors like specialty credentials, benefits packages, and shift differentials, all of which can significantly influence overall compensation. For professionals looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications or specialization areas in high demand could present opportunities for salary increases in this competitive field.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Little Rock, AR in 2026?
Is Little Rock, AR a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Little Rock?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Little Rock?
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make per hour in Little Rock?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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 $78,140 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Little Rock 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-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