Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Tennessee: $77,632 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median clinical and counseling psychologist pay sits at $77,632/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 19-3033. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $84,566 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chattanooga ($85,480), Nashville ($77,110), Franklin ($76,182).
In Tennessee, clinical and counseling psychologists receive a projected average median salary of $77,632 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $105,689, representing a salary gap of 26.5%. The highest-paying city in the state is Chattanooga, with salaries reaching $89,822, while Knoxville offers the lowest salaries at $67,682, a difference of $22,140. This gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for mental health services, and differing availability of job opportunities in urban versus rural regions. Tennessee has specific licensing requirements for psychologists that include earning a doctorate in psychology, completing an internship, and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. The state's scope of practice laws also allow psychologists a broad range of services, including assessments and therapy, which drives demand. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.08%, the job market for clinical and counseling psychologists is expected to expand in Tennessee. This demand is influenced by an increasing awareness of mental health issues and a push for accessible treatment options across the state. Enthusiasts entering this field in Tennessee should be prepared for a market that, while showing growth, continues to face salary disparities when compared to national figures.
Tennessee Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $41,888 (lowest entry-level) to $139,714 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee clinical and counseling psychologists earn 26.55% less than the national median ($-28,057/year difference).
Tennessee Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist salaries in Tennessee range from $53,732 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $127,481 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,632. The Tennessee median is $28,057 below the US national median of $105,689. The average hourly rate is $37.32/hr. Approximately 1,188 clinical and counseling psychologists are employed across 30 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$91,986
2025 BLS Actual
$73,879
2026 Current Est.
$77,632
2021–2027 Growth
+-11.3%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Tennessee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $91,986 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,439 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,719 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,392 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,879 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,632 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,575 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew -19.7% from $91,986 (2021) to $73,879 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,575 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,411 (-11.32%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Knoxville | $67,682 |
| Tullahoma | $70,680 |
| Sevierville | $72,221 |
| Maryville | $72,639 |
| Cookeville | $72,687 |
Best Value Cities for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for clinical and counseling psychologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $89,822 | 91.464 | $98,205 |
| Franklin | $80,052 | 91.8 | $87,203 |
| Murfreesboro | $79,592 | 91.8 | $86,702 |
| Smyrna | $77,324 | 91.8 | $84,231 |
| Clarksville | $76,498 | 90.947 | $84,113 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,732 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,632 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $127,481 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chattanooga | $89,822 |
| 2 | Nashville | $81,027 |
| 3 | Franklin | $80,052 |
| 4 | Murfreesboro | $79,592 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $77,324 |
| 6 | Jackson | $77,178 |
| 7 | Johnson City | $77,051 |
| 8 | Bartlett | $76,936 |
| 9 | Collierville | $76,670 |
| 10 | Clarksville | $76,498 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $76,082 |
| 12 | Kingsport | $76,045 |
| 13 | Morristown | $75,750 |
| 14 | Memphis | $75,521 |
| 15 | Lebanon | $75,061 |
| 16 | Oak Ridge | $75,055 |
| 17 | Cleveland | $74,717 |
| 18 | Columbia | $74,550 |
| 19 | Germantown | $74,455 |
| 20 | Hendersonville | $74,306 |
| 21 | Gallatin | $74,177 |
| 22 | Brentwood | $73,790 |
| 23 | Shelbyville | $73,217 |
| 24 | Mount Juliet | $73,214 |
| 25 | La Vergne | $73,061 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $72,687 |
| 27 | Maryville | $72,639 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $72,221 |
| 29 | Tullahoma | $70,680 |
| 30 | Knoxville | $67,682 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore clinical and counseling psychologist hourly pay in Tennessee 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 Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for clinical and counseling psychologists in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee clinical and counseling psychologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Tennessee?
How many clinical and counseling psychologists are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee 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 Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 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