Psychologist Pay

Milwaukee vs Pleasant Prairie: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Milwaukee, WI and Pleasant Prairie, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$115,525
$55.55/hr
Pleasant Prairie, WI
$117,531
$56.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIPleasant Prairie, WI
Median Salary$115,525$117,531
Hourly Rate$55.55$56.50
Entry Level (P10)$84,169$68,167
25th Percentile$88,362$85,554
75th Percentile$146,324$150,440
Top Earner (P90)$158,482$182,173
Total Employed3104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($115,525) and Pleasant Prairie ($117,531) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.MilwaukeePleasant PrairieMedian Salary$115,525$117,531Entry Level (P10)$84,169$68,167Top Earner (P90)$158,482$182,173US Median $105,689

Verdict

Pleasant Prairie, WI offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Milwaukee.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Pleasant Prairie is $2,006 (1.74%). Pleasant Prairie's median is +11.20% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $74,313,Pleasant Prairie spans $114,006. Pleasant Prairie has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$84,169
P25$88,362
Median$115,525
P75$146,324
P90 (Top)$158,482
Pleasant Prairie
P10 (Entry)$68,167
P25$85,554
Median$117,531
P75$150,440
P90 (Top)$182,173

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pleasant Prairie ($125,836 effective) pays 5.59% more than Milwaukee ($119,175 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $115,525
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $119,175
Pleasant Prairie
Nominal: $117,531
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $125,836

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Pleasant Prairie if…

  • Higher median salary ($117,531/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($182,173)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,836)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Milwaukee grew 38.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 35.6% growth in Pleasant Prairie over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+38.7%

$79,240 (2021) → $109,940 (2025)

Pleasant Prairie, WI

+35.6%

$82,491 (2024) → $111,849 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Milwaukee or Pleasant Prairie?

Pleasant Prairie has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $117,531/year, compared to Milwaukee at $115,525/year — a difference of $2,006 (1.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Pleasant Prairie?

Milwaukee clinical and counseling psychologists earn $55.55/hr while Pleasant Prairie hygienists earn $56.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Pleasant Prairie as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Pleasant Prairie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $119,175, Pleasant Prairie = $125,836), job availability (310 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Milwaukee vs Pleasant Prairie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $84,169 in Milwaukee and $68,167 in Pleasant Prairie. The Milwaukee 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