Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Winston, NC: $83,644 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Winston, NC earns a median $83,644/year (≈ $40.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $90,875 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Winston, NC, showcases a median of $83,644 for 2026, a figure that indicates competitive earnings relative to the local market, despite falling short of the national median of $105,689. The projected salary range for professionals in this field swings between $60,967 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as much as $137,718 at the 90th percentile. There are approximately 150 employed clinical and counseling psychologists in Winston, suggesting a moderate level of market saturation, which can influence both job availability and salary potential in this region. This analysis is derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, helping to frame the employment landscape for this important field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,967 | $29.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,069 | $33.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,644 | $40.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,917 | $49.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,718 | $66.21 |
Median Salary Position
20.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,751 (2026 est.). At $83,644, the local median is 20.86% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Winston median: $83,644/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $95,375 | -12.30% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -20.86% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Winston, NC earn a median of $83,644 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.86% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 12.30% below the North Carolina state average of $95,375.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $83,644 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,875 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.64% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$64,430
2025 BLS Actual
$79,600
2026 Current Est.
$83,644
2021–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Winston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $64,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,644 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,893 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 23.5% from $64,430 (2021) to $79,600 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,893 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,463 (36.42%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $60,967 – $69,069 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,069 – $83,644 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,644 – $101,917 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,917 – $137,718 |
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 Winston
In Winston, the relatively low cost of living index at 92.043 allows for a favorable purchasing power, especially when considering the average clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Winston, NC. The employment market here primarily consists of private practices, large healthcare organizations, community health centers, and specialty clinics. Typically, larger healthcare providers and specialized facilities tend to offer the most competitive salaries, often bolstered by comprehensive benefits packages. Factors such as shift differentials and specialized credentials can also drive the disparity in wages. For those looking to maximize their earnings, focusing on advanced certifications and seeking roles in higher-paying facilities or expanding into specialty areas can be fruitful strategies, especially with a projected annual growth rate of 5.08% in this sector. By staying attuned to local employment trends and sharpening professional skills, psychologists can position themselves for optimal pay and career advancement in Winston's evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Winston, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Winston, NC in 2026?
Is Winston, NC a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Winston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Winston?
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make per hour in Winston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $79,600 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Winston 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