Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Reading, PA: $89,717 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Reading, PA earns a median $89,717/year (≈ $43.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $92,435 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For individuals considering a career as a clinical and counseling psychologist in Reading, Pennsylvania, the purchasing power afforded by a projected median salary of $89,717 in 2026 holds significant importance. This figure, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, reveals a full salary range extending from $63,941 at the 10th percentile to $201,228 at the 90th percentile. Compared to the national median of $105,689, the local pay reflects a variance that may impact lifestyle choices, especially given Reading's cost of living index of 97.06, which is slightly below the national average. The job market for clinical and counseling psychologists in this region suggests healthy demand, generating numerous employment opportunities for professionals seeking to establish or progress their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,941 | $30.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,856 | $39.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,717 | $43.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,604 | $65.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,228 | $96.75 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,287 (2026 est.). At $89,717, the local median is 15.11% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reading: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Reading Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Reading median: $89,717/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $94,340 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -15.11% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Reading, PA earn a median of $89,717 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 4.90% below the Pennsylvania state average of $94,340.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reading has a cost of living 2.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reading, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $89,717 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,435 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.03% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$61,880
2025 BLS Actual
$85,380
2026 Current Est.
$89,717
2021–2027 Growth
+52.4%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Reading (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $61,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,717 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,275 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 38.0% from $61,880 (2021) to $85,380 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,275 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,395 (52.35%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading 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) | $63,941 – $82,856 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,856 – $89,717 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,717 – $136,604 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,604 – $201,228 |
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 Reading
As of now, there are approximately 80 clinical and counseling psychologists employed in Reading PA, which contributes to a competitive job landscape. The lower cost of living means that salaries stretch further here than in markets with higher living expenses. Among local employers, private practices, large healthcare organizations, community health centers, and specialty clinics all have varying pay scales, with the latter often providing higher compensation linked to specialized roles and advanced credentials. Factors such as shift differentials and benefits packages can create further disparities in earnings. For aspiring professionals, focusing on obtaining specialty certifications and considering positions in larger organizations can be effective strategies for enhancing clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Reading PA.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Reading?
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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 $85,380 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Reading 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