Psychologist Pay

Kernersville vs Winston: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Kernersville, NC and Winston, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kernersville, NC
$94,455
$45.42/hr
Winston, NC
$83,644
$40.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKernersville, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$94,455$83,644
Hourly Rate$45.42$40.21
Entry Level (P10)$54,785$60,967
25th Percentile$68,946$69,069
75th Percentile$120,903$101,917
Top Earner (P90)$146,406$137,718
Total Employed6150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kernersville ($94,455) and Winston ($83,644) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.KernersvilleWinstonMedian Salary$94,455$83,644Entry Level (P10)$54,785$60,967Top Earner (P90)$146,406$137,718US Median $105,689

Verdict

Kernersville, NC offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Winston.

The salary gap between Kernersville and Winston is $10,811 (12.93%). Kernersville's median is -10.63% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kernersville spans $91,621,Winston spans $76,751. Kernersville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kernersville
P10 (Entry)$54,785
P25$68,946
Median$94,455
P75$120,903
P90 (Top)$146,406
Winston
P10 (Entry)$60,967
P25$69,069
Median$83,644
P75$101,917
P90 (Top)$137,718

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kernersville ($100,913 effective) pays 11.05% more than Winston ($90,875 effective).

Kernersville
Nominal: $94,455
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $100,913
Winston
Nominal: $83,644
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $90,875

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kernersville if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,455/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($146,406)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,913)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Kernersville grew 18.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.5% growth in Winston over the same period.

Kernersville, NC

+18.0%

$76,197 (2024) → $89,889 (2025)

Winston, NC

+23.5%

$64,430 (2021) → $79,600 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Kernersville or Winston?

Kernersville has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $94,455/year, compared to Winston at $83,644/year — a difference of $10,811 (12.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kernersville and Winston?

Kernersville clinical and counseling psychologists earn $45.42/hr while Winston hygienists earn $40.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kernersville to Winston as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kernersville and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kernersville = $100,913, Winston = $90,875), job availability (6 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Kernersville vs Winston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $54,785 in Kernersville and $60,967 in Winston. The Winston 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