Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Wilmington, NC: $80,596 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Wilmington, NC earns a median $80,596/year (≈ $38.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $83,587 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, clinical and counseling psychologists expect a median annual salary of $80,596 in 2026, reflecting the local employment landscape where 70 professionals currently practice. While the salary range stretches from $51,384 at the 10th percentile to $146,723 at the 90th percentile, these figures indicate a competitive market, albeit one that falls short of the national median of $105,689 by approximately 23.74%. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment statistics, reveals insights into the area's job market dynamics, providing a framework for understanding compensation as it relates to local demand and saturation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,384 | $24.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,062 | $32.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,596 | $38.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,865 | $48.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,723 | $70.54 |
Median Salary Position
23.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,339 (2026 est.). At $80,596, the local median is 23.74% below the national median of $105,689.
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At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $80,596/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $95,380 | -15.50% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -23.74% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $80,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.74% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 15.50% below the North Carolina state average of $95,380.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $80,596 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,587 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$60,550
2025 BLS Actual
$76,700
2026 Current Est.
$80,596
2021–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Wilmington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $60,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,596 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,691 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 26.7% from $60,550 (2021) to $76,700 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,691 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,141 (39.87%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $51,384 – $67,062 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,062 – $80,596 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,596 – $101,865 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,865 – $146,723 |
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 Wilmington
The Wilmington job market presents a solid opportunity for clinical and counseling psychologists, yet the overall cost of living is reflected in a lower index of 96.422. Employers such as large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer higher pay, while positions in community health centers and private practices can vary significantly. This disparity in pay is often influenced by factors like the complexity of cases handled, specialty credentials, and the benefits structures at various organizations. Psychologists looking to maximize their income in Wilmington should consider pursuing niche specialties, optimizing their credentials, and targeting larger healthcare institutions, which may offer more competitive salaries and comprehensive benefit packages compared to smaller practices. Understanding local market conditions is key for professionals aiming to increase their earning potential in the Wilmington area.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
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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 $76,700 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Wilmington 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