Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Bay City, MI: $87,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Bay City, MI earns a median $87,857/year (≈ $42.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Bay City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $95,579 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bay City, Michigan, the compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists reflects a notable gap compared to the state and national averages. With a projected median annual salary of $87,857 for 2026, professionals here earn significantly less than their counterparts nationwide, who have a median income of $105,689. The salary range for psychologists in Bay City spans from $71,696 at the 10th percentile to $123,311 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The local job market is relatively modest, yet growing, suggesting opportunities for prospective psychologists entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,696 | $34.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,696 | $34.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,857 | $42.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,295 | $49.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,311 | $59.29 |
Median Salary Position
16.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bay City
In Bay City, MI, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,615 (2026 est.). At $87,857, the local median is 16.87% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bay City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bay City Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Bay City median: $87,857/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bay City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $87,945 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -16.87% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Bay City, MI earn a median of $87,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.87% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 0.10% below the Michigan state average of $87,945.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bay City has a cost of living 8.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bay City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 91.921 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $87,857 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,579 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.79% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$68,589
2025 BLS Actual
$83,610
2026 Current Est.
$87,857
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Bay City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $68,589 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,923 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,321 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bay City metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $68,589 (2021) to $83,610 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,321 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,732 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bay City 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) | $71,696 – $71,696 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,696 – $87,857 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,857 – $102,295 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,295 – $123,311 |
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 Bay City
The employment landscape for clinical and counseling psychologists in Bay City currently accommodates around 30 professionals. The cost of living index for the area stands at 91.921, indicating that while salaries may trail behind national rates, the affordable living conditions offer better purchasing power. While private practices and large healthcare organizations tend to provide the most competitive pay, variations in compensation largely depend on factors such as employer size, employee benefits, and specific credential requirements. To maximize earnings in Bay City, psychologists should consider gaining specialty credentials and explore opportunities in larger healthcare settings, which are more likely to offer higher compensation packages and better overall job security.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Bay City, MI in 2026?
Is Bay City, MI a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Bay City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Bay City?
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make per hour in Bay City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 $83,610 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Bay City 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, 3-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