Psychologist Pay

New Haven vs Stamford: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between New Haven, CT and Stamford, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$115,956
$55.74/hr
Stamford, CT
$120,746
$58.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTStamford, CT
Median Salary$115,956$120,746
Hourly Rate$55.74$58.05
Entry Level (P10)$76,982$70,033
25th Percentile$106,225$88,119
75th Percentile$155,613$154,556
Top Earner (P90)$174,559$187,157
Total Employed10027
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($115,956) and Stamford ($120,746) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.New HavenStamfordMedian Salary$115,956$120,746Entry Level (P10)$76,982$70,033Top Earner (P90)$174,559$187,157US Median $105,689

Verdict

Stamford, CT offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New Haven.

The salary gap between New Haven and Stamford is $4,790 (4.13%). Stamford's median is +14.25% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $97,577,Stamford spans $117,124. Stamford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$76,982
P25$106,225
Median$115,956
P75$155,613
P90 (Top)$174,559
Stamford
P10 (Entry)$70,033
P25$88,119
Median$120,746
P75$154,556
P90 (Top)$187,157

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Stamford ($111,905 effective) pays 0.91% more than New Haven ($110,900 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $115,956
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $110,900
Stamford
Nominal: $120,746
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $111,905

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Stamford if…

  • Higher median salary ($120,746/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($187,157)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,905)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in New Haven grew 37.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 0.0% growth in Stamford over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+37.3%

$80,400 (2021) → $110,350 (2025)

Stamford, CT

+0.0%

$114,884 (2024) → $114,909 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: New Haven or Stamford?

Stamford has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $120,746/year, compared to New Haven at $115,956/year — a difference of $4,790 (4.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Stamford?

New Haven clinical and counseling psychologists earn $55.74/hr while Stamford hygienists earn $58.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Stamford as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Stamford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $110,900, Stamford = $111,905), job availability (100 vs 27 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in New Haven vs Stamford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $76,982 in New Haven and $70,033 in Stamford. The New Haven 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