Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in El Paso, TX: $78,537 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in El Paso, TX earns a median $78,537/year (≈ $37.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in El Paso's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.9), that paycheck buys what $87,349 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, professionals working as clinical and counseling psychologists in El Paso, TX, can expect a median annual salary of $78,537. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $105,689, reflecting a 25.69% disparity that affects the purchasing power of local psychologists. Salary levels for these positions can vary significantly, with earnings ranging from $48,494 at the 10th percentile to as high as $97,861 at the 90th percentile. Such data are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupation Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Given El Paso's cost of living index of 89.912, which is below the national average, practitioners may find that their salaries can stretch further within the local economy compared to higher-cost regions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,494 | $23.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,293 | $32.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,537 | $37.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,472 | $41.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,861 | $47.04 |
Median Salary Position
25.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Paso
In El Paso, TX, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,367 (2026 est.). At $78,537, the local median is 25.69% below the national median of $105,689.
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At 40 hours/week in El Paso: You'd be above the median
How El Paso Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
El Paso median: $78,537/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Paso Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $81,301 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -25.69% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in El Paso, TX earn a median of $78,537 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.69% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 3.40% below the Texas state average of $81,301.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Paso has a cost of living 10.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Paso, TX has a cost-of-living index of 89.912 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $78,537 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,349 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.22% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$80,970
2025 BLS Actual
$74,740
2026 Current Est.
$78,537
2021–2027 Growth
+1.9%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in El Paso (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $80,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,537 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,526 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Paso metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew -7.7% from $80,970 (2021) to $74,740 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,526 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,556 (1.92%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Paso 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) | $48,494 – $67,293 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,293 – $78,537 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,537 – $85,472 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,472 – $97,861 |
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 El Paso
The job market in El Paso currently has around 50 employed clinical and counseling psychologists, indicating a stable demand for mental health professionals. Considering the relatively low cost of living, the take-home pay for psychologists in this region allows for a comfortable lifestyle, albeit with a need to balance salary expectations against local economic conditions. Among the primary employers, large healthcare organizations and community health centers tend to offer the highest pay, often due in part to their capacity for comprehensive benefits packages and specialty services that attract larger patient loads. Factors such as shift differentials, additional certifications, and the overall size of the employer contribute to variations in compensation. For aspiring psychologists in El Paso, seeking opportunities in larger medical facilities or pursuing additional credentials can be effective strategies to optimize earning potential. Understanding these dynamics is essential for professionals navigating their career prospects in the local market.
More salary data for El Paso, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in El Paso, TX in 2026?
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Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in El Paso?
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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 $74,740 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the El Paso 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