Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Louisiana: $80,057 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median clinical and counseling psychologist pay sits at $80,057/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 19-3033. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $88,657 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lafayette ($93,226), Lake Charles ($89,646), Kenner ($88,984).
In Louisiana, the projected average median salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in 2026 is $80,057, which is significantly lower than the national median of $105,689, highlighting a difference of 24.3%. The salary variance across cities is pronounced, with Lafayette offering the highest salary at $97,962, while New Orleans trails with a lowest projected salary of $59,454. This disparity is influenced by factors such as cost of living, local demand for mental health services, and the presence of educational institutions in those areas. Louisiana has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that healthcare professionals must navigate, affecting both entry into the field and potential earnings. The state is experiencing a growth rate of 5.08% annually for this occupation, suggesting a steady increase in demand for clinical and counseling psychologists. Factors driving this demand include an increasing awareness of mental health issues, expanded access to care, and a growing population. Overall, the job market shows promising prospects, especially in cities like Lafayette, Lake Charles ($94,200), Kenner ($93,504), Slidell ($92,719), and Houma ($92,341), where salaries are more competitive compared to others in the state.
Louisiana Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $31,513 (lowest entry-level) to $267,807 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana clinical and counseling psychologists earn 24.25% less than the national median ($-25,632/year difference).
Louisiana Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist salaries in Louisiana range from $61,603 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $112,865 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $80,057. The Louisiana median is $25,632 below the US national median of $105,689. The average hourly rate is $38.49/hr. Approximately 376 clinical and counseling psychologists are employed across 20 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$81,411
2025 BLS Actual
$76,187
2026 Current Est.
$80,057
2021–2027 Growth
+3.3%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Louisiana (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $81,411 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,271 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,541 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,187 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,057 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,124 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew -6.4% from $81,411 (2021) to $76,187 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,124 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,713 (3.33%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $59,454 |
| Metairie | $59,671 |
| Bossier City | $73,763 |
| Shreveport | $74,954 |
| Baton Rouge | $79,756 |
Best Value Cities for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for clinical and counseling psychologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | $97,962 | 90.3 | $108,485 |
| Lake Charles | $94,200 | 90.3 | $104,319 |
| Kenner | $93,504 | 90.3 | $103,548 |
| Slidell | $92,719 | 90.3 | $102,679 |
| Houma | $92,341 | 90.3 | $102,260 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $61,603 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $80,057 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $112,865 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lafayette | $97,962 |
| 2 | Lake Charles | $94,200 |
| 3 | Kenner | $93,504 |
| 4 | Slidell | $92,719 |
| 5 | Houma | $92,341 |
| 6 | Monroe | $92,030 |
| 7 | Ruston | $91,775 |
| 8 | Central | $91,682 |
| 9 | Alexandria | $91,223 |
| 10 | New Iberia | $90,409 |
| 11 | Hammond | $89,679 |
| 12 | Natchitoches | $89,185 |
| 13 | Zachary | $88,761 |
| 14 | Sulphur | $88,251 |
| 15 | Thibodaux | $87,828 |
| 16 | Baton Rouge | $79,756 |
| 17 | Shreveport | $74,954 |
| 18 | Bossier City | $73,763 |
| 19 | Metairie | $59,671 |
| 20 | New Orleans | $59,454 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore clinical and counseling psychologist hourly pay in Louisiana 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 Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for clinical and counseling psychologists in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana clinical and counseling psychologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Louisiana?
How many clinical and counseling psychologists are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana 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 Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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, 4-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