Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Massachusetts: $120,170 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median clinical and counseling psychologist pay sits at $120,170/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 19-3033. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $110,756 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pittsfield ($125,030), Boston ($121,270), Newton ($120,295).
In Massachusetts, clinical and counseling psychologists can expect an average median salary of $120,171 in 2026, which is 13.7% higher than the national median of $105,689. The highest-paying city in the state is Pittsfield, offering an average salary of $131,382, while Barnstable Town has the lowest average salary at $84,505, indicating a salary gap of $46,877 driven by factors such as cost of living, the concentration of healthcare facilities, and demand for psychological services. Massachusetts has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that professionals must navigate, which include obtaining a doctorate in psychology and completing a postdoctoral fellowship. These requirements can affect the supply of psychologists in the state. Demand drivers include the increasing recognition of mental health issues and the expansion of healthcare coverage that encompasses mental health services. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.08%, the job market for clinical and counseling psychologists is expected to expand. A total of 3,307 psychologists are currently employed in Massachusetts, reflecting a steady need for qualified professionals across various urban and rural settings. Major cities such as Boston, Newton, Cambridge, and Worcester follow Pittsfield in salary rankings, with Boston offering $127,431, Newton $126,406, Cambridge $124,387, and Worcester $117,753.
Massachusetts Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $52,887 (lowest entry-level) to $245,772 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts clinical and counseling psychologists earn 13.70% more than the national median (+$14,481/year difference).
Massachusetts Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist salaries in Massachusetts range from $62,925 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $226,763 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $120,170. The Massachusetts median is $14,481 above the US national median of $105,689. The average hourly rate is $57.77/hr. Approximately 3,307 clinical and counseling psychologists are employed across 59 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$81,640
2025 BLS Actual
$114,361
2026 Current Est.
$120,170
2021–2027 Growth
+54.7%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Massachusetts (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $81,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,923 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,941 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,563 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,361 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,170 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,275 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 40.1% from $81,640 (2021) to $114,361 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,275 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,635 (54.67%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $84,505 |
| Northampton | $97,291 |
| Amherst Town | $98,597 |
| Springfield | $104,239 |
| Andover | $105,095 |
Best Value Cities for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for clinical and counseling psychologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield | $131,382 | 95.106 | $138,143 |
| Boston | $127,431 | 108.266 | $117,702 |
| Newton | $126,406 | 108.5 | $116,503 |
| Worcester | $117,753 | 102.523 | $114,855 |
| Cambridge | $124,387 | 108.5 | $114,642 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $62,925 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $120,170 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $226,763 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 59 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsfield | $131,382 |
| 2 | Boston | $127,431 |
| 3 | Newton | $126,406 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $124,387 |
| 5 | Worcester | $117,753 |
| 6 | Lynn | $114,002 |
| 7 | Somerville | $112,510 |
| 8 | Revere | $112,335 |
| 9 | Brockton | $111,949 |
| 10 | New Bedford | $111,823 |
| 11 | Plymouth | $111,754 |
| 12 | Malden | $111,350 |
| 13 | Haverhill | $111,332 |
| 14 | Lowell | $111,303 |
| 15 | Framingham | $111,253 |
| 16 | Peabody | $111,103 |
| 17 | Weymouth | $110,769 |
| 18 | Chicopee | $110,436 |
| 19 | Randolph | $110,315 |
| 20 | Quincy | $110,120 |
| 21 | Amherst | $109,987 |
| 22 | Chelsea | $109,979 |
| 23 | Medford | $109,679 |
| 24 | Fall River | $109,574 |
| 25 | Marlborough | $109,574 |
| 26 | Watertown | $109,556 |
| 27 | Fitchburg | $109,470 |
| 28 | Methuen | $109,429 |
| 29 | Taunton | $109,381 |
| 30 | Arlington | $109,341 |
| 31 | Needham | $109,057 |
| 32 | Westfield | $109,006 |
| 33 | Everett | $108,988 |
| 34 | Holyoke | $108,429 |
| 35 | Beverly | $108,247 |
| 36 | Lawrence | $108,246 |
| 37 | Dartmouth | $108,118 |
| 38 | Waltham | $108,010 |
| 39 | Barnstable | $107,894 |
| 40 | Brookline | $107,658 |
| 41 | Billerica | $107,489 |
| 42 | Braintree | $107,128 |
| 43 | Salem | $106,947 |
| 44 | Natick | $106,878 |
| 45 | Dracut | $106,318 |
| 46 | Lexington | $106,250 |
| 47 | Stoughton | $106,250 |
| 48 | Shrewsbury | $106,112 |
| 49 | Franklin | $105,827 |
| 50 | Attleboro | $105,741 |
| 51 | Woburn | $105,603 |
| 52 | Chelmsford | $105,509 |
| 53 | Wellesley | $105,448 |
| 54 | Leominster | $105,353 |
| 55 | Andover | $105,095 |
| 56 | Springfield | $104,239 |
| 57 | Amherst Town | $98,597 |
| 58 | Northampton | $97,291 |
| 59 | Barnstable Town | $84,505 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore clinical and counseling psychologist hourly pay in Massachusetts cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new clinical and counseling psychologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
View all comparisons →Explore More Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Massachusetts in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for clinical and counseling psychologists in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts clinical and counseling psychologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Massachusetts?
How many clinical and counseling psychologists are employed in Massachusetts?
Which Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 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