Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $92,798 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $92,798/year (≈ $44.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $95,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, clinical and counseling psychologists in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, earn a median annual salary of $92,798, which is significantly lower than the national median of $105,689. The local salary range spans from $53,823 at the 10th percentile to $143,838 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variance in compensation based on factors such as experience, specialization, and work setting. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences. While Wilkes-Barre's median salary reflects a unique local market, it suggests a competitive landscape for healthcare professionals, especially within specialized therapeutic contexts.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($91,280) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,823 | $25.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,950 | $32.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,798 | $44.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,781 | $57.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,838 | $69.15 |
Median Salary Position
12.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,015 (2026 est.). At $92,798, the local median is 12.2% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $92,798/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $94,307 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -12.20% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $92,798 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.20% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $94,307.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $92,798 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,275 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% 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
$72,446
2025 BLS Actual
$88,312
2026 Current Est.
$92,798
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Wilkes-Barre (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $72,446 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,137 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,378 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,492 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,312 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,798 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,512 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $72,446 (2021) to $88,312 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,512 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,066 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $53,823 – $66,950 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,950 – $92,798 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,798 – $118,781 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,781 – $143,838 |
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 Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, the job market for clinical and counseling psychologists features a modest number of positions, with only 11 individuals currently employed in this capacity. The area has a cost-of-living index of 97.4, which indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the overall affordability can enhance the take-home purchasing power for local professionals. Psychologists working in larger healthcare organizations or specialty clinics typically command higher salaries, reflecting their capacity to offer diverse services and cater to more complex patient needs. The disparity in pay often arises from differences in employer size, specialty credentials, shift differentials, and benefits structures. To maximize earning potential in Wilkes-Barre, professionals should consider pursuing additional certifications and seeking employment with larger organizations that offer comprehensive benefits packages.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 2026?
Is Wilkes-Barre, PA a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Wilkes-Barre?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Wilkes-Barre?
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make per hour in Wilkes-Barre?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 $88,312 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Wilkes-Barre 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
Salary data for Wilkes-Barre is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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