Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $95,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Virginia Beach, VA earns a median $95,633/year (≈ $45.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Virginia Beach's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $97,643 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Virginia Beach, the projected median annual salary for clinical and counseling psychologists is $95,633 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $105,689. The salary range extends from $57,006 at the 10th percentile to as high as $185,246 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability in compensation based on experience, specialization, and employer. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the local job market's current dynamics. The relatively competitive salary for clinical and counseling psychologists can attract both new and established professionals to the area, contributing to a steady workforce.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,006 | $27.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,633 | $45.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,085 | $57.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,246 | $89.07 |
Median Salary Position
9.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, VA, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,240 (2026 est.). At $95,633, the local median is 9.51% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Virginia Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Virginia Beach Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Virginia Beach median: $95,633/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Virginia Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $92,578 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $105,689 | -9.51% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $95,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.51% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 3.30% above the Virginia state average of $92,578.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Virginia Beach has a cost of living 2.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Virginia Beach, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.941 (below the national average of 100). A clinical and counseling psychologist earning $95,633 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,643 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.1% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$99,310
2025 BLS Actual
$91,010
2026 Current Est.
$95,633
2021–2027 Growth
+1.2%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Virginia Beach (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $99,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,491 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew -8.4% from $99,310 (2021) to $91,010 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,491 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,181 (1.19%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.08% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $57,006 – $77,770 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,770 – $95,633 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,633 – $120,085 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,085 – $185,246 |
CCP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual clinical and counseling psychologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Job Market in Virginia Beach
With 420 clinical and counseling psychologists employed in Virginia Beach, demand remains strong, although the cost of living index stands at 97.941, slightly below the national average. This means that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may be impacted by housing costs and other living expenses. Among the highest-paying employers are large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, where positions may require specific credentials and experience. Factors such as shift differentials, benefit structures, and the size of the employer greatly influence the disparity in salaries. For those in the field, maximizing pay may involve seeking out specialized training, gaining diverse clinical experience, or negotiating benefits that supplement base salary in this unique Virginia Beach market.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Virginia Beach, VA in 2026?
Is Virginia Beach, VA a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Virginia Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Virginia Beach?
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make per hour in Virginia Beach?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $91,010 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Virginia Beach metropolitan area. A 5.08% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.08%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for clinical and counseling psychologists (SOC 19-3033).
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