Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Pennsylvania: $108,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median clinical and counseling psychologist pay sits at $108,704/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 19-3033. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $111,606 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($112,690), Erie ($95,910), Pittsburgh ($92,510).
For those considering a career in clinical or counseling psychology in Pennsylvania, the projected average median salary stands at $108,704 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $105,689, marking a 2.9% increase. Philadelphia leads the state with the highest salary at $118,415, while State College offers the lowest at $84,568, creating a salary gap of $33,847. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, demand for psychological services, and local funding for mental health. Pennsylvania has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence earning potential. The job market for clinical and counseling psychologists shows a promising growth rate of 5.08% annually, based on projections from 2025 BLS data. With a total employed figure of 3,193 in these roles, the cities expected to offer the next highest salaries include Erie at $100,782, Pittsburgh at $97,210, Scranton at $96,054, and Lancaster at $95,749. Overall, the demand for mental health professionals continues to rise, contributing to a positive job outlook for aspiring psychologists in the state.
Pennsylvania Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $50,333 (lowest entry-level) to $214,195 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania clinical and counseling psychologists earn 2.85% more than the national median (+$3,015/year difference).
Pennsylvania Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist salaries in Pennsylvania range from $64,905 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $191,488 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $108,704. The Pennsylvania median is $3,015 above the US national median of $105,689. The average hourly rate is $52.26/hr. Approximately 3,193 clinical and counseling psychologists are employed across 24 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$74,529
2025 BLS Actual
$103,449
2026 Current Est.
$108,704
2021–2027 Growth
+53.3%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Pennsylvania (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $74,529 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,207 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,882 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,372 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,449 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,226 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 38.8% from $74,529 (2021) to $103,449 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,697 (53.26%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| State College | $84,568 |
| West Chester | $88,283 |
| Williamsport | $88,341 |
| Pottstown | $88,936 |
| Harrisburg | $89,171 |
Best Value Cities for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for clinical and counseling psychologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $118,415 | 102.554 | $115,466 |
| Erie | $100,782 | 90.95 | $110,810 |
| Pittsburgh | $97,210 | 94.671 | $102,682 |
| Scranton | $96,054 | 93.556 | $102,670 |
| Bethlehem | $95,110 | 97.4 | $97,649 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $64,905 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $108,704 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $191,488 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $118,415 |
| 2 | Erie | $100,782 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh | $97,210 |
| 4 | Scranton | $96,054 |
| 5 | Lancaster | $95,749 |
| 6 | Bethlehem | $95,110 |
| 7 | Lebanon | $92,908 |
| 8 | Allentown | $92,849 |
| 9 | Wilkes-Barre | $92,798 |
| 10 | Hazleton | $91,510 |
| 11 | Norristown | $91,334 |
| 12 | Easton | $91,256 |
| 13 | Chester | $91,122 |
| 14 | Altoona | $90,749 |
| 15 | New Castle | $90,219 |
| 16 | Chambersburg | $90,169 |
| 17 | York | $89,981 |
| 18 | Reading | $89,717 |
| 19 | Johnstown | $89,651 |
| 20 | Harrisburg | $89,171 |
| 21 | Pottstown | $88,936 |
| 22 | Williamsport | $88,341 |
| 23 | West Chester | $88,283 |
| 24 | State College | $84,568 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore clinical and counseling psychologist hourly pay in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for clinical and counseling psychologists in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania clinical and counseling psychologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Pennsylvania?
How many clinical and counseling psychologists are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 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