Psychologist Pay

Hammond vs Indianapolis: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Hammond, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hammond, IN
$86,460
$41.57/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$89,307
$42.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHammond, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$86,460$89,307
Hourly Rate$41.57$42.94
Entry Level (P10)$50,146$71,517
25th Percentile$63,301$85,241
75th Percentile$110,668$105,364
Top Earner (P90)$134,013$139,998
Total Employed20830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hammond ($86,460) and Indianapolis ($89,307) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.HammondIndianapolisMedian Salary$86,460$89,307Entry Level (P10)$50,146$71,517Top Earner (P90)$134,013$139,998US Median $105,689

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hammond.

The salary gap between Hammond and Indianapolis is $2,847 (3.29%). Indianapolis's median is -15.50% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hammond spans $83,867,Indianapolis spans $68,481. Hammond has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hammond
P10 (Entry)$50,146
P25$63,301
Median$86,460
P75$110,668
P90 (Top)$134,013
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$71,517
P25$85,241
Median$89,307
P75$105,364
P90 (Top)$139,998

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hammond ($94,699 effective) pays 1.47% more than Indianapolis ($93,324 effective).

Hammond
Nominal: $86,460
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $94,699
Indianapolis
Nominal: $89,307
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $93,324

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hammond if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,699)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($89,307/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,998)
  • Larger job market (830 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Hammond grew 3.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.4% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Hammond, IN

+3.9%

$79,154 (2024) → $82,280 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+33.4%

$63,690 (2021) → $84,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Hammond or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $89,307/year, compared to Hammond at $86,460/year — a difference of $2,847 (3.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hammond and Indianapolis?

Hammond clinical and counseling psychologists earn $41.57/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $42.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hammond to Indianapolis as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hammond and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hammond = $94,699, Indianapolis = $93,324), job availability (20 vs 830 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Hammond vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $50,146 in Hammond and $71,517 in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 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