Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Hickory, NC: $95,928 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Hickory, NC earns a median $95,928/year (≈ $46.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $108,410 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hickory, NC, the landscape for clinical and counseling psychologists reveals a competitive market with 70 professionals currently employed in the area. The median annual salary is projected at $95,928 for 2026, which falls below the national median of $105,689, indicating a difference of about 9.24%. Salary ranges in Hickory can vary significantly, with lower earners making around $68,249 while top professionals could earn as much as $133,809 annually. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, showcasing the local and national context for salaries in this field. The number of active practitioners suggests that while opportunities exist, local market saturation may impact future growth potential for new entrants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,249 | $32.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,525 | $38.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,928 | $46.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,882 | $52.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,809 | $64.33 |
Median Salary Position
9.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,560 (2026 est.). At $95,928, the local median is 9.24% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hickory: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hickory Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Hickory median: $95,928/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $95,355 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $105,689 | -9.24% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Hickory, NC earn a median of $95,928 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.24% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 0.60% above the North Carolina state average of $95,355.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory has a cost of living 11.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.486 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $95,928 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,410 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.01% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$80,910
2025 BLS Actual
$91,290
2026 Current Est.
$95,928
2021–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Hickory (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $80,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,928 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,801 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 12.8% from $80,910 (2021) to $91,290 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,801 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,891 (24.58%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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) | $68,249 – $79,525 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,525 – $95,928 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,928 – $109,882 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,882 – $133,809 |
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 Hickory
In terms of compensation dynamics, the cost of living in Hickory is indexed at 88.486, meaning that purchasing power in this area is relatively favorable compared to the national average. Community health centers and large healthcare organizations tend to offer the most competitive pay for clinical and counseling psychologists, often providing additional benefits that can enhance overall compensation. The disparity in pay—from lower roles to higher-salary positions—often hinges on factors like specialty credentials, employer size, and shifts in working hours. To maximize earnings in Hickory, psychologists should consider pursuing specialized training or certifications that could elevate their marketability. Being open to a variety of employment settings, including private practices and community health centers, may also provide a pathway to higher compensation levels. Understanding the local job market and the cost of living will aid in making informed career decisions.
More salary data for Hickory, 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 $91,290 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Hickory 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