Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Iowa: $91,836 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median clinical and counseling psychologist pay sits at $91,836/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 19-3033. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $101,588 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Cedar Rapids ($92,580), Iowa City ($92,210), Dubuque ($92,006).
In Iowa, the average median salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in 2026 is projected to be $91,836, which is 13.1% lower than the national median of $105,689. The salary varies significantly across the state, with Cedar Rapids offering the highest at $97,283, while Davenport presents the lowest salary at $77,665. This salary disparity can be attributed to differences in cost of living, demand for mental health services, and the availability of positions in various regions. Iowa's clinical and counseling psychologists must navigate state licensing requirements, which include obtaining a doctoral degree, completing supervised experience, and passing a comprehensive examination. The scope of practice laws support a broad range of therapeutic services, contributing to a steady demand for professionals in this field, especially as awareness of mental health issues increases. The job market for psychologists in Iowa shows resilience, with an annual growth rate projected at 5.08%. This reflects a healthy demand for mental health services across various populations. The total number of employed psychologists in the state is currently 322, with metropolitan areas like Cedar Rapids, Iowa City ($96,894), Dubuque ($96,680), Sioux City ($96,233), and Ames ($95,075) indicating promising opportunities for career advancement.
Iowa Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $32,785 (lowest entry-level) to $184,962 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa clinical and counseling psychologists earn 13.11% less than the national median ($-13,853/year difference).
Iowa Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist salaries in Iowa range from $49,743 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $147,326 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $91,836. The Iowa median is $13,853 below the US national median of $105,689. The average hourly rate is $44.15/hr. Approximately 322 clinical and counseling psychologists are employed across 26 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$91,068
2025 BLS Actual
$87,396
2026 Current Est.
$91,836
2021–2027 Growth
+6.0%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Iowa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $91,068 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,414 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,889 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,176 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,396 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,836 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,501 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew -4.0% from $91,068 (2021) to $87,396 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,501 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,433 (5.97%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Davenport | $77,665 |
| Fort Dodge | $87,702 |
| West Des Moines | $87,894 |
| Johnston | $88,679 |
| Ottumwa | $88,895 |
Best Value Cities for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for clinical and counseling psychologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $97,283 | 88.963 | $109,352 |
| Dubuque | $96,680 | 90.4 | $106,947 |
| Sioux City | $96,233 | 90.4 | $106,452 |
| Iowa City | $96,894 | 91.509 | $105,885 |
| Ames | $95,075 | 90.4 | $105,171 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,743 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $91,836 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $147,326 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | $97,283 |
| 2 | Iowa City | $96,894 |
| 3 | Dubuque | $96,680 |
| 4 | Sioux City | $96,233 |
| 5 | Ames | $95,075 |
| 6 | Cedar Falls | $94,653 |
| 7 | Marion | $93,948 |
| 8 | Waterloo | $92,987 |
| 9 | Ankeny | $92,851 |
| 10 | Council Bluffs | $92,269 |
| 11 | Burlington | $91,739 |
| 12 | Waukee | $91,409 |
| 13 | Urbandale | $91,286 |
| 14 | Bettendorf | $91,279 |
| 15 | Marshalltown | $90,997 |
| 16 | Coralville | $90,877 |
| 17 | Mason City | $90,456 |
| 18 | North Liberty | $90,101 |
| 19 | Clinton | $89,656 |
| 20 | Muscatine | $89,232 |
| 21 | Des Moines | $89,045 |
| 22 | Ottumwa | $88,895 |
| 23 | Johnston | $88,679 |
| 24 | West Des Moines | $87,894 |
| 25 | Fort Dodge | $87,702 |
| 26 | Davenport | $77,665 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore clinical and counseling psychologist hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new clinical and counseling psychologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.
Explore More Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Iowa in 2026?
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How does Iowa clinical and counseling psychologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Iowa?
How many clinical and counseling psychologists are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for clinical and counseling psychologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.08% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 clinical and counseling psychologist compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more clinical and counseling psychologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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