Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in South Charleston, WV: $82,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in South Charleston, WV earns a median $82,984/year (≈ $39.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in South Charleston's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $95,935 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Charleston, West Virginia, the role of a clinical and counseling psychologist has an estimated median annual salary of $82,984 for 2026. This figure represents an accessible pay range, with earnings spanning from $48,131 at the lower end (P10) to $128,625 at the higher end (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local economic conditions, indicate a market that remains niche; currently, only five clinical and counseling psychologists are employed within the area. Despite a comparatively lower pay scale than the national median of $105,689, South Charleston offers a suitable income in relation to its cost of living, providing a dynamic landscape for skilled professionals in this field.
About the South Charleston Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($65,240) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,131 | $23.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,285 | $29.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,984 | $39.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,219 | $51.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,625 | $61.84 |
Median Salary Position
21.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Charleston
In South Charleston, WV, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,494 (2026 est.). At $82,984, the local median is 21.48% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Charleston Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
South Charleston median: $82,984/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $86,622 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -21.48% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in South Charleston, WV earn a median of $82,984 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.48% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 4.20% below the West Virginia state average of $86,622.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Charleston has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Charleston, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $82,984 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,935 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$64,784
2025 BLS Actual
$78,972
2026 Current Est.
$82,984
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in South Charleston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $64,784 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,767 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,454 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,059 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,972 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,199 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Charleston metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $64,784 (2021) to $78,972 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,199 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,415 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Charleston 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) | $48,131 – $61,285 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,285 – $82,984 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,984 – $106,219 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,219 – $128,625 |
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 South Charleston
The job market for clinical and counseling psychologists in South Charleston reflects both competitive salaries and unique challenges. With a cost-of-living index at 86.5, practitioners enjoy a relatively lower financial burden, contributing to increased purchasing power despite lower salaries compared to national standards. Employers range from private practices to larger healthcare organizations, with community health centers and specialty clinics often providing higher-paying opportunities. The gap between the lower and upper ends of the pay spectrum is driven by factors such as employer size, specialty credentials, and the benefits structure offered. To maximize earnings, psychologists can focus on obtaining higher qualifications, pursuing vital specialty trainings, and seeking positions within larger, well-resourced institutions, which tend to compensate more generously for their diverse services in South Charleston.
More salary data for South Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in South Charleston, WV in 2026?
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Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in South Charleston?
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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 $78,972 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the South Charleston 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 South Charleston 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