Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $87,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earns a median $87,143/year (≈ $41.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Louisville/Jefferson County's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $93,628 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Louisville/Jefferson County, clinical and counseling psychologists earn a median annual salary of $87,143, which reflects a growing demand in an area with 240 professionals currently employed in the field. The salary range for this occupation spans from $51,720 at the 10th percentile to $196,825 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating significant earning potential based on experience, specialization, and employer type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the local market's competitive landscape as clinicians navigate a job environment focused on mental health services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,720 | $24.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,348 | $34.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,143 | $41.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,511 | $68.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,825 | $94.62 |
Median Salary Position
17.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville/Jefferson County
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $145,105 (2026 est.). At $87,143, the local median is 17.55% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Louisville/Jefferson County: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Louisville/Jefferson County Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Louisville/Jefferson County median: $87,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville/Jefferson County Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $94,413 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -17.55% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $87,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.55% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 7.70% below the Kentucky state average of $94,413.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville/Jefferson County has a cost of living 6.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has a cost-of-living index of 93.074 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $87,143 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,628 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.44% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$94,050
2025 BLS Actual
$82,930
2026 Current Est.
$87,143
2021–2027 Growth
+-2.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Louisville/Jefferson County (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $94,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,570 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville/Jefferson County metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew -11.8% from $94,050 (2021) to $82,930 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,570 by 2027 — a total increase of $-2,480 (-2.64%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville/Jefferson County 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) | $51,720 – $72,348 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,348 – $87,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,143 – $141,511 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,511 – $196,825 |
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 Louisville/Jefferson County
The cost of living in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, is relatively lower than the national average, with an index of 93.074, which can enhance the effective purchasing power of local salaries. Employers in private practices and large healthcare organizations typically provide the most competitive compensation packages, driven by the level of care required and the resources available at these facilities. Variances in pay are influenced by factors such as specialization in high-demand areas, shift differentials, and the overall benefits structure offered by different employers. For those looking to maximize their clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, obtaining advanced certifications and considering opportunities in larger institutions can improve earnings, especially given the anticipated annual growth rate of 5.08% in this sector.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
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 $82,930 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Louisville/Jefferson County 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