Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $57,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $57,363/year (≈ $27.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $56,723 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 48.3% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, clinical and counseling psychologists in Fort Collins, Colorado, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,363, which reflects a significant gap compared to the state average. The salary range for this profession spans from $57,363 at the 10th percentile to $125,150 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variation based on experience, specialization, and employer type. This data, derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), highlights the unique position of the Fort Collins job market, particularly when compared to national figures. Nationally, the median salary for this role stands at $105,689, illustrating a substantial disparity that suggests Fort Collins might offer competitive opportunities for career advancement and income growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,363 | $27.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,363 | $27.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,363 | $27.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,870 | $56.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,150 | $60.17 |
Median Salary Position
45.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,787 (2026 est.). At $57,363, the local median is 45.72% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Fort Collins Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $57,363/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $110,954 | -48.30% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -45.72% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $57,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.72% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 48.30% below the Colorado state average of $110,954.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,363 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,723 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$101,100
2025 BLS Actual
$54,590
2026 Current Est.
$57,363
2021–2027 Growth
+-40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Fort Collins (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $101,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,277 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew -46.0% from $101,100 (2021) to $54,590 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,277 by 2027 — a total increase of $-40,823 (-40.38%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $57,363 – $57,363 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,363 – $57,363 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,363 – $116,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,870 – $125,150 |
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 Fort Collins
As the demand for mental health services continues to rise, the job outlook for clinical and counseling psychologists in Fort Collins is favorable, with an annual growth rate projected at 5.08%. Living costs in the area, reflected by a cost of living index of 101.128, somewhat temper earnings; however, local employers such as large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics typically offer some of the highest pay. For those in the Fort Collins job market, maximizing earning potential can often depend on gaining additional credentials, specializing in high-demand areas, and targeting employers that provide robust benefits packages. While private practices may offer competitive pay, larger organizations may provide stability and growth opportunities that enhance overall compensation. Understanding these dynamics is vital for professionals asking how much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Fort Collins.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Fort Collins?
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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 $54,590 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Fort Collins 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, 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