Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Montana make a median of $68,160 a year, or about $32.77 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $144K for experienced workers. Note: the mean (average) wage is $107K, significantly higher than the median. This typically reflects a mix of employment settings including academic and private practice positions. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $70,268 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,129/month, or 25.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Montana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $68K get you in Montana?
About clinical and counseling psychologists
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What this looks like in Montana
Pay for clinical and counseling psychologists in Montana runs about 32% below the U.S. median of $101K. Rent runs $1,129/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Montana
Entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K. Top earners bring in $144K or more, a $94K spread from bottom to top.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary by metro in Montana
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $98K | +44% | 30 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a clinical and counseling psychologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
Yes — at the median salary of $68K, rent takes 25.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new clinical and counseling psychologists typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,988/month. At HUD’s $1,129/month FMR, rent would take 38% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is clinical and counseling psychologist a high-paying job in Montana?
Local pay runs 32% below the national median — $68K here vs. $101K nationally.
How does Montana compare to the national average for clinical and counseling psychologists?
Montana pays $68K median vs. the U.S. average of $101K — that’s -32%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $70K — below the national median.
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Montana?
The median is $68,160 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,800, and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists can clear $143,640. The mean (average) is $106,980, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,452/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 25.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a clinical and counseling psychologists salary go in Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median clinical and counseling psychologists salary is worth about $70,268 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do clinical and counseling psychologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.