Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $82,782 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $82,782/year (≈ $39.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $90,002 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, North Carolina, the anticipated median annual salary for clinical and counseling psychologists is projected to reach $82,782 in 2026, which is approximately 21.67% lower than the national median of $105,689. The salary range can vary significantly, from $50,859 at the 10th percentile to $138,937 at the 90th percentile. These figures derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data based on 2025 surveys, projecting trends for the coming year. Despite the differences observed at the state and national levels, Fayetteville's job market shows steady promise, as the employment of clinical and counseling psychologists locally remains a vital resource for the community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,859 | $24.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,216 | $33.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,782 | $39.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,502 | $47.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,937 | $66.80 |
Median Salary Position
21.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,078 (2026 est.). At $82,782, the local median is 21.67% below the national median of $105,689.
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At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $82,782/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $95,371 | -13.20% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -21.67% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $82,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.67% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 13.20% below the North Carolina state average of $95,371.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.02% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 91.978 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $82,782 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,002 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.72% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$78,280
2025 BLS Actual
$78,780
2026 Current Est.
$82,782
2021–2027 Growth
+11.1%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Fayetteville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $78,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,782 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,987 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 0.6% from $78,280 (2021) to $78,780 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,987 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,707 (11.12%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $50,859 – $69,216 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,216 – $82,782 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,782 – $98,502 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,502 – $138,937 |
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 Fayetteville
The employment scene in Fayetteville comprises around 80 clinical and counseling psychologists, indicating a stable market for professionals in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 91.978, the local economic climate typically allows for a comfortable lifestyle, though it does create unique challenges for pay brackets. Among local employers, large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer the highest remuneration packages, reflective of their size and resource capabilities. The differences in salary often arise from factors such as specific expertise, shift differentials, and the comprehensive benefits structures provided by larger organizations. Aspiring psychologists in Fayetteville can optimize their earning potential by pursuing specialty credentials and considering roles in these higher-paying entities, as well as leveraging experience and negotiation skills to secure competitive compensation packages.
More salary data for Fayetteville, NC:
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 $78,780 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Fayetteville 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, 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