Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $115,525 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $115,525/year (≈ $55.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $119,175 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Milwaukee, the projected median salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in 2026 is $115,525, surpassing the national median of $105,689 by 9.31%. The salary range is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting at around $84,169 while more experienced psychologists can earn up to $158,482. These figures, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflect the region’s strong demand for mental health professionals. Given Milwaukee's lower cost of living index of 96.937, this level of compensation provides a favorable purchasing power, making the area an attractive option for those in the field looking to establish their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,169 | $40.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,362 | $42.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,525 | $55.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,324 | $70.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,482 | $76.19 |
Median Salary Position
9.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,313 (2026 est.). At $115,525, the local median is 9.31% above the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukee Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $115,525/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $123,688 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | +9.31% more |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $115,525 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.31% higher than the national median of $105,689 and 6.60% below the Wisconsin state average of $123,688.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $115,525 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $119,175 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$79,240
2025 BLS Actual
$109,940
2026 Current Est.
$115,525
2021–2027 Growth
+53.2%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Milwaukee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $79,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,525 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,394 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 38.7% from $79,240 (2021) to $109,940 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,394 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,154 (53.20%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $84,169 – $88,362 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,362 – $115,525 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,525 – $146,324 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,324 – $158,482 |
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 Milwaukee
With 310 clinical and counseling psychologists currently employed in Milwaukee, the job market for this profession is solid. The local cost of living allows for a more favorable take-home salary, despite being lower than the national average. Among area employers, large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, especially for psychologists with advanced certifications or specialized skills. Factors such as shift differentials and the size of the employer contribute significantly to the variation in pay in the region. To enhance their earning potential, professionals should consider pursuing specialties that are in demand, actively seek positions in larger institutions, and negotiate for benefits that offset salary discrepancies. Understanding these dynamics is essential for any aspiring clinical and counseling psychologist navigating the Milwaukee market.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Milwaukee?
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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 $109,940 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Milwaukee 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