Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in St. Petersburg, FL: $89,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in St. Petersburg, FL earns a median $89,474/year (≈ $43.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in St. Petersburg's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $88,764 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary in St. Petersburg, FL, has a median annual pay of $89,474, reflecting a cost-of-living adjusted purchasing power that is slightly below the national average. Salaries in the area range from $51,895 at the 10th percentile to $138,684 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market for psychologists. This compensation trajectory is based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the localized economic environment. Even with this slightly diminished median compared to the national figure of $105,689, the job market in St. Petersburg can be advantageous for psychologists seeking to establish and grow their careers.
About the St. Petersburg Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($92,160) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,895 | $24.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,195 | $31.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,474 | $43.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,526 | $55.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,684 | $66.67 |
Median Salary Position
15.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Petersburg
In St. Petersburg, FL, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,789 (2026 est.). At $89,474, the local median is 15.34% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Petersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Petersburg Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
St. Petersburg median: $89,474/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Petersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $92,911 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -15.34% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in St. Petersburg, FL earn a median of $89,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.34% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 3.70% below the Florida state average of $92,911.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Petersburg has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Petersburg, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,474 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $88,764 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$69,850
2025 BLS Actual
$85,148
2026 Current Est.
$89,474
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in St. Petersburg (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $69,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,355 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,168 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,148 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,019 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Petersburg metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $69,850 (2021) to $85,148 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,019 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,169 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Petersburg 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) | $51,895 – $65,195 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,195 – $89,474 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,474 – $114,526 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,526 – $138,684 |
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 St. Petersburg
The local job market for clinical and counseling psychologists consists of 42 professionals, reflecting both the demand and competition within the region. With a cost-of-living index at 100.8, professionals may find their take-home pay somewhat constrained when compared to national standards. Top-paying employers in St. Petersburg include large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, whereas private practices often offer more modest salaries. Factors such as shift differentials, specialized credentials, and benefits structures contribute to the pay variance. To maximize compensation in this market, obtaining relevant certifications and negotiating for roles in well-resourced institutions can be advantageous strategies for increasing earnings in clinical and counseling psychologist pay in St. Petersburg, FL.
More salary data for St. Petersburg, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in St. Petersburg, FL in 2026?
Is St. Petersburg, FL a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in St. Petersburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in St. Petersburg?
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make per hour in St. Petersburg?
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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 $85,148 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg 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