Psychologist Pay

Amherst Town vs Boston: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Amherst Town, MA and Boston, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Amherst Town, MA
$98,597
$47.40/hr
Boston, MA
$127,431
$61.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmherst Town, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$98,597$127,431
Hourly Rate$47.40$61.26
Entry Level (P10)$52,887$63,143
25th Percentile$84,547$90,863
75th Percentile$134,723$172,489
Top Earner (P90)$232,521$245,772
Total Employed901,920
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amherst Town ($98,597) and Boston ($127,431) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.Amherst TownBostonMedian Salary$98,597$127,431Entry Level (P10)$52,887$63,143Top Earner (P90)$232,521$245,772US Median $105,689

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Amherst Town.

The salary gap between Amherst Town and Boston is $28,834 (29.24%). Boston's median is +20.57% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Amherst Town spans $179,634,Boston spans $182,629. Boston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Amherst Town
P10 (Entry)$52,887
P25$84,547
Median$98,597
P75$134,723
P90 (Top)$232,521
Boston
P10 (Entry)$63,143
P25$90,863
Median$127,431
P75$172,489
P90 (Top)$245,772

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($117,702 effective) pays 19.67% more than Amherst Town ($98,358 effective).

Amherst Town
Nominal: $98,597
CoL Index: 100.243
Adjusted: $98,358
Boston
Nominal: $127,431
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $117,702

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amherst Town if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($127,431/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($245,772)
  • Larger job market (1,920 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,702)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Amherst Town grew -6.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 46.8% growth in Boston over the same period.

Amherst Town, MA

+-6.0%

$99,820 (2024) → $93,830 (2025)

Boston, MA

+46.8%

$82,630 (2021) → $121,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Amherst Town or Boston?

Boston has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $127,431/year, compared to Amherst Town at $98,597/year — a difference of $28,834 (29.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Amherst Town and Boston?

Amherst Town clinical and counseling psychologists earn $47.40/hr while Boston hygienists earn $61.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Amherst Town to Boston as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amherst Town and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amherst Town = $98,358, Boston = $117,702), job availability (90 vs 1,920 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Amherst Town vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $52,887 in Amherst Town and $63,143 in Boston. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by James Wu, PsyD, LCSWData verified by Fatima Khan, PhD, LCPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.08% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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