Psychologist Pay

Austin vs League City: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Austin, TX and League City, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$92,397
$44.42/hr
League City, TX
$81,007
$38.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXLeague City, TX
Median Salary$92,397$81,007
Hourly Rate$44.42$38.94
Entry Level (P10)$58,666$46,984
25th Percentile$81,405$59,088
75th Percentile$115,399$103,689
Top Earner (P90)$135,995$125,561
Total Employed23022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($92,397) and League City ($81,007) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.AustinLeague CityMedian Salary$92,397$81,007Entry Level (P10)$58,666$46,984Top Earner (P90)$135,995$125,561US Median $105,689

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to League City.

The salary gap between Austin and League City is $11,390 (14.06%). Austin's median is -12.58% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $77,329,League City spans $78,577. League City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$58,666
P25$81,405
Median$92,397
P75$115,399
P90 (Top)$135,995
League City
P10 (Entry)$46,984
P25$59,088
Median$81,007
P75$103,689
P90 (Top)$125,561

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($94,219 effective) pays 11.66% more than League City ($84,382 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $92,397
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $94,219
League City
Nominal: $81,007
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $84,382

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($92,397/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($135,995)
  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,219)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose League City if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Austin grew 6.9% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 6.3% growth in League City over the same period.

Austin, TX

+6.9%

$82,220 (2021) → $87,930 (2025)

League City, TX

+6.3%

$72,526 (2024) → $77,091 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Austin or League City?

Austin has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $92,397/year, compared to League City at $81,007/year — a difference of $11,390 (14.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and League City?

Austin clinical and counseling psychologists earn $44.42/hr while League City hygienists earn $38.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to League City as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and League City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $94,219, League City = $84,382), job availability (230 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Austin vs League City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $58,666 in Austin and $46,984 in League City. The Austin 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