Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Washington make a median of $115,240 a year, or about $55.4 an hour. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $179K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $112,969 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 23.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $115K get you in Washington?
About clinical and counseling psychologists
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for clinical and counseling psychologists, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $101K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 24.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for clinical and counseling psychologistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $115K. Top earners bring in $179K or more, a $101K spread from bottom to top.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary by metro in Washington
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $113K | -2% | 120 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $108K | -6% | 50 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a clinical and counseling psychologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $115K, rent takes 24.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new clinical and counseling psychologists typically earn — is $79K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,736/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 39% 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 Washington?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $115K here vs. $101K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for clinical and counseling psychologists?
Washington pays $115K median vs. the U.S. average of $101K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $113K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Washington?
The median is $115,240 a year, that works out to about $55 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,940, and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists can clear $179,470. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $115K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,455/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 24.5% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median clinical and counseling psychologists salary is worth about $112,969 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.