Psychologist Pay

New Castle vs Pittsburgh: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between New Castle, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Castle, PA
$90,219
$43.38/hr
Pittsburgh, PA
$97,210
$46.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Castle, PAPittsburgh, PA
Median Salary$90,219$97,210
Hourly Rate$43.38$46.74
Entry Level (P10)$52,327$66,610
25th Percentile$70,032$82,004
75th Percentile$115,480$138,033
Top Earner (P90)$139,838$138,033
Total Employed4450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Castle ($90,219) and Pittsburgh ($97,210) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.New CastlePittsburghMedian Salary$90,219$97,210Entry Level (P10)$52,327$66,610Top Earner (P90)$139,838$138,033US Median $105,689

Verdict

Pittsburgh, PA offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New Castle.

The salary gap between New Castle and Pittsburgh is $6,991 (7.75%). Pittsburgh's median is -8.02% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Castle spans $87,511,Pittsburgh spans $71,423. New Castle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Castle
P10 (Entry)$52,327
P25$70,032
Median$90,219
P75$115,480
P90 (Top)$139,838
Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$66,610
P25$82,004
Median$97,210
P75$138,033
P90 (Top)$138,033

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pittsburgh ($102,682 effective) pays 10.85% more than New Castle ($92,627 effective).

New Castle
Nominal: $90,219
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $92,627
Pittsburgh
Nominal: $97,210
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $102,682

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Castle if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($139,838)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,210/year)
  • Larger job market (450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,682)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in New Castle grew 0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.3% growth in Pittsburgh over the same period.

New Castle, PA

+0.9%

$85,060 (2024) → $85,857 (2025)

Pittsburgh, PA

+32.3%

$69,930 (2021) → $92,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: New Castle or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $97,210/year, compared to New Castle at $90,219/year — a difference of $6,991 (7.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Castle and Pittsburgh?

New Castle clinical and counseling psychologists earn $43.38/hr while Pittsburgh hygienists earn $46.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Castle to Pittsburgh as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Castle and Pittsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Castle = $92,627, Pittsburgh = $102,682), job availability (4 vs 450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in New Castle vs Pittsburgh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $52,327 in New Castle and $66,610 in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh 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