Psychologist Pay

Indianapolis vs Michigan City: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

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

Indianapolis, IN
$89,307
$42.94/hr
Michigan City, IN
$84,534
$40.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INMichigan City, IN
Median Salary$89,307$84,534
Hourly Rate$42.94$40.64
Entry Level (P10)$71,517$49,029
25th Percentile$85,241$62,627
75th Percentile$105,364$108,203
Top Earner (P90)$139,998$131,027
Total Employed8306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($89,307) and Michigan City ($84,534) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.IndianapolisMichigan CityMedian Salary$89,307$84,534Entry Level (P10)$71,517$49,029Top Earner (P90)$139,998$131,027US Median $105,689

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Michigan City is $4,773 (5.65%). 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 Indianapolis spans $68,481,Michigan City spans $81,998. Michigan City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$71,517
P25$85,241
Median$89,307
P75$105,364
P90 (Top)$139,998
Michigan City
P10 (Entry)$49,029
P25$62,627
Median$84,534
P75$108,203
P90 (Top)$131,027

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($93,324 effective) pays 0.79% more than Michigan City ($92,589 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $89,307
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $93,324
Michigan City
Nominal: $84,534
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $92,589

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($89,307/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,998)
  • Larger job market (830 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,324)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Michigan City if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Indianapolis grew 33.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 4.0% growth in Michigan City over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+33.4%

$63,690 (2021) → $84,990 (2025)

Michigan City, IN

+4.0%

$77,390 (2024) → $80,447 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Indianapolis has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $89,307/year, compared to Michigan City at $84,534/year — a difference of $4,773 (5.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Michigan City?

Indianapolis clinical and counseling psychologists earn $42.94/hr while Michigan City hygienists earn $40.64/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Michigan City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $93,324, Michigan City = $92,589), job availability (830 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $71,517 in Indianapolis and $49,029 in Michigan City. 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