Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Knoxville, TN: $67,682 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Knoxville, TN earns a median $67,682/year (≈ $32.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $73,115 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, TN, the job market for clinical and counseling psychologists comprises approximately 170 professionals, indicating moderate competition in the field. The 2026 median annual salary for these psychologists is $67,682, significantly lower than the national median of $105,689, highlighting a disparity in compensation. Salaries in Knoxville range from $53,959 at the 10th percentile to as high as $139,714 at the 90th percentile, based on data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys. This financial context suggests that while there are opportunities within the city, they may not match the earnings potential found in larger metropolitan areas, positioning Knoxville's market as supportive yet constrained for those in the psychology profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,959 | $25.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,797 | $26.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,682 | $32.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,220 | $49.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,714 | $67.17 |
Median Salary Position
35.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,755 (2026 est.). At $67,682, the local median is 35.96% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Knoxville Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $67,682/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $76,477 | -11.50% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -35.96% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $67,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.96% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 11.50% below the Tennessee state average of $76,477.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $67,682 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,115 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$65,380
2025 BLS Actual
$64,410
2026 Current Est.
$67,682
2021–2027 Growth
+8.8%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Knoxville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $65,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,682 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,120 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew -1.5% from $65,380 (2021) to $64,410 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,740 (8.78%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $53,959 – $55,797 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,797 – $67,682 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,682 – $103,220 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,220 – $139,714 |
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 Knoxville
With a cost-of-living index of 92.569, Knoxville offers a relatively affordable environment compared to many parts of the nation, which can positively affect the take-home purchasing power for clinical and counseling psychologists. Among the employers, private practices and larger healthcare organizations tend to provide higher compensation, often influenced by the complexity of cases handled and the level of expertise required. The variation in salaries can also stem from additional factors such as shift differentials for evening or weekend work and the potential for specialty certifications to command a premium. For professionals looking to maximize their clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Knoxville, networking, pursuing advanced credentials, and considering positions within larger healthcare systems can be advantageous strategies. Understanding the local employment dynamics will allow practitioners to navigate their career paths more effectively in this evolving market.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Knoxville, TN in 2026?
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Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Knoxville?
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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 $64,410 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Knoxville 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