Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Watertown, SD: $94,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Watertown, SD earns a median $94,308/year (≈ $45.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $101,625 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With only six clinical and counseling psychologists currently employed in Watertown, SD, the local job market appears limited in terms of saturation, which can impact salary potential. In 2026, the estimated median annual salary stands at $94,308, reflecting a localized compensation environment that is approximately 10.77% below the national median of $105,689. Salaries in this field range from $55,064 at the lower end to $146,178 for those at the top percentile. These figures are based on projections derived from 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional cost of living adjustments, which are important given Watertown’s cost of living index of 92.8, indicative of a market that is slightly more affordable than the national average.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($90,410) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,064 | $26.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,097 | $33.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,308 | $45.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,715 | $58.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,178 | $70.28 |
Median Salary Position
10.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, SD, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,114 (2026 est.). At $94,308, the local median is 10.77% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Watertown Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Watertown median: $94,308/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $98,034 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -10.77% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Watertown, SD earn a median of $94,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $98,034.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $94,308 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,625 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$73,625
2025 BLS Actual
$89,749
2026 Current Est.
$94,308
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Watertown (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $73,625 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,424 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,751 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,674 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,749 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,099 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $73,625 (2021) to $89,749 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,099 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,474 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $55,064 – $70,097 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,097 – $94,308 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,308 – $120,715 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,715 – $146,178 |
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 Watertown
Analyses of the clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Watertown reveal important factors about the local employment landscape. With a relatively small number of professionals in the area, job competition remains uncommonly low, potentially allowing for better job security. However, the prevalence of lower salaries can be attributed to the cost of living dynamics and the typical employer landscape, which includes private practices and community health centers. Private practices tend to offer higher pay relative to community centers, but larger healthcare organizations might provide more comprehensive benefits, thus influencing total compensation packages. To maximize earning potential, aspiring psychologists in Watertown should consider obtaining specialized credentials and actively seek opportunities within larger healthcare setups, where salary bands may be more favorable.
More salary data for Watertown, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Watertown?
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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 $89,749 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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