Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Laurel, MS: $83,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Laurel, MS earns a median $83,769/year (≈ $40.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $97,747 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laurel, Mississippi, the estimated median salary for clinical and counseling psychologists is projected to reach $83,769 by 2026. When compared to the national figure of $105,689, this represents a substantial gap that reflects local market dynamics. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $50,473 at the 10th percentile to $129,841 at the 90th percentile, indicating the variability in compensation based on experience, specialization, and employment settings. These numbers derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost assessments, providing a comprehensive look at what clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Laurel, MS might look like in the coming years. This disparity may lead professionals to consider multiple employment avenues to optimize their earning potential.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($86,140) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,473 | $24.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,399 | $30.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,769 | $40.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,224 | $51.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,841 | $62.43 |
Median Salary Position
20.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,368 (2026 est.). At $83,769, the local median is 20.74% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Laurel median: $83,769/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $90,561 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -20.74% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Laurel, MS earn a median of $83,769 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $90,561.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $83,769 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,747 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$65,397
2025 BLS Actual
$79,719
2026 Current Est.
$83,769
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Laurel (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $65,397 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,436 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,168 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,274 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,719 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,024 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $65,397 (2021) to $79,719 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,024 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,627 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $50,473 – $63,399 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,399 – $83,769 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,769 – $107,224 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,224 – $129,841 |
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 Laurel
The local job market for clinical and counseling psychologists in Laurel is modest, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, measured at 85.7, demonstrates a lower-than-average expense environment, which may positively influence the purchasing power of salaries in the region. Larger healthcare organizations and specialty clinics typically offer the highest remuneration, while private practices might provide varied compensation based on client flow and operational overhead. Factors such as shift differentials, specialized credentials, and the scale of the employer can greatly affect pay disparities here. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications or aligning with larger, established employers in Laurel can be advantageous strategies in the competitive field of clinical and counseling psychology.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
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 $79,719 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Laurel 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
Salary data for Laurel is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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