Psychologist Pay

Bremerton vs Seattle: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Bremerton, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bremerton, WA
$107,872
$51.86/hr
Seattle, WA
$124,979
$60.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBremerton, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$107,872$124,979
Hourly Rate$51.86$60.08
Entry Level (P10)$62,566$72,487
25th Percentile$77,668$89,985
75th Percentile$138,076$159,973
Top Earner (P90)$167,201$193,717
Total Employed8116
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bremerton ($107,872) and Seattle ($124,979) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.BremertonSeattleMedian Salary$107,872$124,979Entry Level (P10)$62,566$72,487Top Earner (P90)$167,201$193,717US Median $105,689

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bremerton.

The salary gap between Bremerton and Seattle is $17,107 (15.86%). Seattle's median is +18.25% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bremerton spans $104,635,Seattle spans $121,230. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Bremerton
P10 (Entry)$62,566
P25$77,668
Median$107,872
P75$138,076
P90 (Top)$167,201
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$72,487
P25$89,985
Median$124,979
P75$159,973
P90 (Top)$193,717

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($116,368 effective) pays 15.86% more than Bremerton ($100,439 effective).

Bremerton
Nominal: $107,872
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $100,439
Seattle
Nominal: $124,979
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $116,368

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bremerton if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($124,979/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($193,717)
  • Larger job market (116 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,368)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Bremerton grew 118.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 16.9% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Bremerton, WA

+118.1%

$47,060 (2021) → $102,657 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+16.9%

$101,750 (2021) → $118,937 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Bremerton or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $124,979/year, compared to Bremerton at $107,872/year — a difference of $17,107 (15.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bremerton and Seattle?

Bremerton clinical and counseling psychologists earn $51.86/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $60.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bremerton to Seattle as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bremerton and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bremerton = $100,439, Seattle = $116,368), job availability (8 vs 116 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Bremerton vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $62,566 in Bremerton and $72,487 in Seattle. The Seattle 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