Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in North Carolina: $103,155 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median clinical and counseling psychologist pay sits at $103,155/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 19-3033. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $110,208 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Concord ($119,087), Charlotte ($117,170), Gastonia ($114,672).
In 2026, clinical and counseling psychologists in North Carolina are projected to earn an average median salary of $103,155, which is slightly below the national median of $105,689, reflecting a 2.4% difference. The highest salaries are found in Concord, where professionals can expect to make approximately $125,137, while those in Wilmington earn the least at about $80,596. This gap of $44,541 between the highest and lowest salaries can largely be attributed to variations in cost of living, demand for mental health services, and the presence of healthcare institutions in different regions. North Carolina has specific licensing requirements that include earning a doctoral degree, completing supervised hours, and passing relevant examinations, which adds to the accountability and standardization in practice. The state's job market for psychologists is stable, with a projected growth rate of 5.08% annually, showing increasing demand for mental health services, influenced by factors such as population growth and heightened awareness of mental health issues. Top cities for employment in this field include Charlotte with an average salary of $123,122, followed by Gastonia at $120,497, Asheville at $104,103, and Raleigh at $101,465. Understanding these financial and regulatory landscapes is essential for professionals navigating their careers in North Carolina.
North Carolina Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $42,021 (lowest entry-level) to $269,740 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina clinical and counseling psychologists earn 2.4% less than the national median ($-2,534/year difference).
North Carolina Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist salaries in North Carolina range from $60,320 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $191,744 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,155. The North Carolina median is $2,534 below the US national median of $105,689. The average hourly rate is $49.59/hr. Approximately 2,577 clinical and counseling psychologists are employed across 44 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$86,884
2025 BLS Actual
$98,168
2026 Current Est.
$103,155
2021–2027 Growth
+24.8%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in North Carolina (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $86,884 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,037 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,355 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,382 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,168 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,155 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,395 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 13.0% from $86,884 (2021) to $98,168 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,395 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,511 (24.76%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wilmington | $80,596 |
| Fayetteville | $82,782 |
| High Point | $83,348 |
| Winston | $83,644 |
| Greensboro | $84,652 |
Best Value Cities for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for clinical and counseling psychologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | $125,137 | 93.6 | $133,693 |
| Gastonia | $120,497 | 93.6 | $128,736 |
| Charlotte | $123,122 | 97.348 | $126,476 |
| Hickory | $95,928 | 88.486 | $108,410 |
| Cary | $100,982 | 93.6 | $107,887 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $60,320 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $103,155 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $191,744 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concord | $125,137 |
| 2 | Charlotte | $123,122 |
| 3 | Gastonia | $120,497 |
| 4 | Asheville | $104,103 |
| 5 | Raleigh | $101,465 |
| 6 | Cary | $100,982 |
| 7 | Chapel Hill | $98,986 |
| 8 | Winston-Salem | $98,797 |
| 9 | Durham | $98,166 |
| 10 | Huntersville | $96,350 |
| 11 | Kannapolis | $96,199 |
| 12 | Apex | $95,972 |
| 13 | Hickory | $95,928 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | $95,798 |
| 15 | Greenville | $94,730 |
| 16 | Statesville | $94,536 |
| 17 | Kernersville | $94,455 |
| 18 | Matthews | $94,233 |
| 19 | Cornelius | $94,071 |
| 20 | Sanford | $93,989 |
| 21 | Wake Forest | $93,987 |
| 22 | Morrisville | $93,945 |
| 23 | Fuquay-Varina | $93,692 |
| 24 | Salisbury | $93,678 |
| 25 | Thomasville | $93,523 |
| 26 | New Bern | $93,485 |
| 27 | Mint Hill | $93,463 |
| 28 | Burlington | $93,397 |
| 29 | Rocky Mount | $92,590 |
| 30 | Holly Springs | $91,984 |
| 31 | Mooresville | $91,696 |
| 32 | Monroe | $91,659 |
| 33 | Garner | $91,451 |
| 34 | Wilson | $91,385 |
| 35 | Boone | $90,989 |
| 36 | Indian Trail | $90,202 |
| 37 | Carrboro | $89,849 |
| 38 | Leland | $88,523 |
| 39 | Pinehurst | $88,358 |
| 40 | Greensboro | $84,652 |
| 41 | Winston | $83,644 |
| 42 | High Point | $83,348 |
| 43 | Fayetteville | $82,782 |
| 44 | Wilmington | $80,596 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore clinical and counseling psychologist hourly pay in North Carolina 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 North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for clinical and counseling psychologists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina clinical and counseling psychologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level clinical and counseling psychologist salary in North Carolina?
How many clinical and counseling psychologists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina 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 North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 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