Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Nashville, TN: $81,027 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Nashville, TN earns a median $81,027/year (≈ $38.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $84,107 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, clinical and counseling psychologists in Nashville, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $81,027, which is significantly lower than the national median of $105,689. The salary range for these professionals in the Nashville area extends from $59,402 at the 10th percentile to $131,854 at the 90th percentile. These figures are drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflecting a growing demand for mental health services in the region. Despite the competitive nature of salaries, Nashville's job market is adjusting to meet the rising need for qualified clinical and counseling psychologists, making this a salient time to consider career opportunities in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,402 | $28.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,701 | $33.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,027 | $38.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,882 | $52.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,854 | $63.39 |
Median Salary Position
23.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,452 (2026 est.). At $81,027, the local median is 23.33% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nashville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nashville Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Nashville median: $81,027/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $76,513 | +5.90% more |
| National Average | $105,689 | -23.33% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Nashville, TN earn a median of $81,027 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.33% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 5.90% above the Tennessee state average of $76,513.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $81,027 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,107 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% 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
$98,030
2025 BLS Actual
$77,110
2026 Current Est.
$81,027
2021–2027 Growth
+-13.1%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Nashville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $98,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,027 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,143 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew -21.3% from $98,030 (2021) to $77,110 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $-12,887 (-13.15%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $59,402 – $68,701 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,701 – $81,027 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,027 – $109,882 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,882 – $131,854 |
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 Nashville
With 460 clinical and counseling psychologists currently employed in the Nashville area, the job market offers a mix of opportunities, particularly within large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, which tend to offer higher pay than smaller private practices or community health centers. The cost of living index in Nashville stands at 96.338, presenting a favorable environment for take-home purchasing power compared to the national average. Factors driving the variance in pay include employer size, specialty credentials, shift differentials, and benefits structures. To maximize clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Nashville, professionals should pursue advanced certifications and seek employment with larger healthcare systems that typically offer better compensation packages and additional perks. Understanding the local market and strategically choosing employers can enhance both earning potential and job satisfaction for practitioners in this field.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Nashville, TN in 2026?
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Nashville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Nashville?
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make per hour in Nashville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $77,110 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Nashville 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