Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Washington, DC: $106,835 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Washington, DC earns a median $106,835/year (≈ $51.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $98,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.6% below the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Washington, DC, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary stands at a projected median of $106,835 for 2026, slightly above the national median of $105,689. The salary range reflects a wide disparity in earnings, from $44,123 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $253,316 for the most seasoned professionals (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates a competitive job market, especially considering there are approximately 1,550 clinical and counseling psychologists currently working in the area. Such numbers suggest strong demand, but also indicate a potential for market saturation in this specific field of mental health.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,123 | $21.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,824 | $36.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,835 | $51.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,203 | $65.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $253,316 | $121.79 |
Median Salary Position
1.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $209,193 (2026 est.). At $106,835, the local median is 1.08% above the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Washington median: $106,835/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $123,651 | -13.60% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | +1.08% more |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Washington, DC earn a median of $106,835 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% higher than the national median of $105,689 and 13.60% below the District of Columbia state average of $123,651.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,835 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,118 — a 8.16% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$98,600
2025 BLS Actual
$101,670
2026 Current Est.
$106,835
2021–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Washington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $98,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,835 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,262 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 3.1% from $98,600 (2021) to $101,670 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,662 (13.86%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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) | $44,123 – $76,824 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,824 – $106,835 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,835 – $137,203 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,203 – $253,316 |
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 Washington
The economic environment in Washington adds further complexity to compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists. The cost of living index at 108.884 suggests that expenses can significantly affect take-home pay, necessitating careful consideration for those evaluating the clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Washington DC. Employers like large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics typically offer more competitive salaries compared to private practices or community health centers, driven by operational scale and benefit structures. Additionally, factors such as specialty credentials and shift differentials can contribute to variations in earnings. For those looking to maximize their compensation in this market, pursuing advanced certifications or enriching one's experience in high-demand areas of psychology can prove beneficial.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
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
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 $101,670 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Washington 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