Psychologist Pay

Boise City vs Meridian: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Boise City, ID and Meridian, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$104,481
$50.23/hr
Meridian, ID
$101,099
$48.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDMeridian, ID
Median Salary$104,481$101,099
Hourly Rate$50.23$48.61
Entry Level (P10)$75,563$58,637
25th Percentile$84,737$74,645
75th Percentile$141,249$129,406
Top Earner (P90)$166,289$156,703
Total Employed12030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($104,481) and Meridian ($101,099) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.Boise CityMeridianMedian Salary$104,481$101,099Entry Level (P10)$75,563$58,637Top Earner (P90)$166,289$156,703US Median $105,689

Verdict

Boise City, ID offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Meridian.

The salary gap between Boise City and Meridian is $3,382 (3.35%). Boise City's median is -1.14% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $90,726,Meridian spans $98,066. Meridian has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$75,563
P25$84,737
Median$104,481
P75$141,249
P90 (Top)$166,289
Meridian
P10 (Entry)$58,637
P25$74,645
Median$101,099
P75$129,406
P90 (Top)$156,703

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise City ($106,190 effective) pays 0.10% more than Meridian ($106,085 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $104,481
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $106,190
Meridian
Nominal: $101,099
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $106,085

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,481/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($166,289)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,190)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Meridian if…

  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Boise City grew 64.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 21.5% growth in Meridian over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+64.2%

$60,550 (2021) → $99,430 (2025)

Meridian, ID

+21.5%

$79,194 (2024) → $96,211 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Boise City or Meridian?

Boise City has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $104,481/year, compared to Meridian at $101,099/year — a difference of $3,382 (3.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Meridian?

Boise City clinical and counseling psychologists earn $50.23/hr while Meridian hygienists earn $48.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Meridian as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Meridian. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $106,190, Meridian = $106,085), job availability (120 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Boise City vs Meridian?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $75,563 in Boise City and $58,637 in Meridian. The Boise City area offers higher starting salaries.
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