Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Taos, NM: $91,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Taos, NM earns a median $91,785/year (≈ $44.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Taos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $97,230 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Taos, New Mexico, the employment market for clinical and counseling psychologists features a limited pool, with only four professionals currently working in the area. This indicates a relatively lower saturation compared to larger urban settings, which can affect the dynamics of compensation. The projected median annual salary in 2026 is $91,785, which is approximately 13.16% lower than the national median of $105,689. Salient figures published as estimates, including a salary range from $54,091 to $142,267, highlight the variation in compensation based on experience and specialty. The local job market in Taos presents unique opportunities and challenges, particularly in light of the small employment base in this field.
About the Taos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($80,580) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,091 | $26.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,876 | $33.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,785 | $44.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,485 | $56.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,267 | $68.40 |
Median Salary Position
13.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Taos
In Taos, NM, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,176 (2026 est.). At $91,785, the local median is 13.16% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Taos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Taos Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Taos median: $91,785/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Taos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $99,767 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -13.16% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Taos, NM earn a median of $91,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.16% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 8.00% below the New Mexico state average of $99,767.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Taos has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Taos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $91,785 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,230 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$71,655
2025 BLS Actual
$87,348
2026 Current Est.
$91,785
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Taos (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $71,655 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,457 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,979 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,348 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,448 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Taos metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $71,655 (2021) to $87,348 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,448 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,793 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Taos 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) | $54,091 – $68,876 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,876 – $91,785 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,785 – $117,485 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,485 – $142,267 |
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 Taos
For clinical and counseling psychologists in Taos, the cost of living is favorable, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 94.4, which is below the national average. This lower index can enhance the practical take-home pay and purchasing power of professionals in the area. Typically, private practices and specialty clinics tend to offer higher compensation than community health centers and large healthcare organizations. Factors driving the wide pay spread in Taos include variations in employer size, shift differentials, and specialty credentials. To maximize earning potential, clinical and counseling psychologists should consider enhancing their qualifications with advanced certifications, establishing connections within the community for better private practice opportunities, and being flexible with work hours, as these strategies can elevate their clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Taos NM significantly.
More salary data for Taos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Taos, NM in 2026?
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Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Taos?
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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 $87,348 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Taos 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 Taos 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