Psychologist Pay

Grand Rapids vs Niles: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Grand Rapids, MI and Niles, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grand Rapids, MI
$99,343
$47.76/hr
Niles, MI
$72,999
$35.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MINiles, MI
Median Salary$99,343$72,999
Hourly Rate$47.76$35.10
Entry Level (P10)$66,379$61,955
25th Percentile$78,180$72,999
75th Percentile$118,173$85,871
Top Earner (P90)$135,522$124,478
Total Employed34040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($99,343) and Niles ($72,999) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.Grand RapidsNilesMedian Salary$99,343$72,999Entry Level (P10)$66,379$61,955Top Earner (P90)$135,522$124,478US Median $105,689

Verdict

Grand Rapids, MI offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Niles.

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and Niles is $26,344 (36.09%). Grand Rapids's median is -6.00% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grand Rapids spans $69,143,Niles spans $62,523. Grand Rapids has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Grand Rapids
P10 (Entry)$66,379
P25$78,180
Median$99,343
P75$118,173
P90 (Top)$135,522
Niles
P10 (Entry)$61,955
P25$72,999
Median$72,999
P75$85,871
P90 (Top)$124,478

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Rapids ($103,974 effective) pays 31.56% more than Niles ($79,029 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $99,343
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $103,974
Niles
Nominal: $72,999
CoL Index: 92.37
Adjusted: $79,029

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grand Rapids if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,343/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($135,522)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,974)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Niles if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Grand Rapids grew 47.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 5.8% growth in Niles over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+47.1%

$64,280 (2021) → $94,540 (2025)

Niles, MI

+5.8%

$65,660 (2023) → $69,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Grand Rapids or Niles?

Grand Rapids has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $99,343/year, compared to Niles at $72,999/year — a difference of $26,344 (36.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Rapids and Niles?

Grand Rapids clinical and counseling psychologists earn $47.76/hr while Niles hygienists earn $35.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grand Rapids to Niles as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and Niles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $103,974, Niles = $79,029), job availability (340 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Grand Rapids vs Niles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $66,379 in Grand Rapids and $61,955 in Niles. The Grand Rapids area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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