Psychologist Pay

Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in SeaTac, WA: $111,228 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in SeaTac, WA earns a median $111,228/year (≈ $53.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in SeaTac's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $103,564 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Washington state average.

$111,228
Median Annual Salary
$53.48/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$64,513
Entry Level (P10)
$172,404
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in SeaTac, WA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
SeaTac, WA clinical and counseling psychologist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In SeaTac, Washington, a clinical and counseling psychologist can expect to earn a median annual salary of $111,228, slightly higher than the national median of $105,689. This median salary reflects local market conditions and adjusts for the cost of living, which has an index of 107.4, indicating that the purchasing power for psychologists in the area is slightly less than what it would be at the national average. Salary expectations vary markedly, with a range from $64,513 at the 10th percentile to $172,404 at the 90th percentile. Given the diversity of employment settings in SeaTac, including private practices and large healthcare organizations, this variation in pay demonstrates the differing financial incentives associated with various types of employers in the region.

About the SeaTac Market

Salary estimated from Washington average ($105,190) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$64,513$31.02
Lower Range (P25)$80,085$38.50
Median (P50)(typical)$111,228$53.48
Upper Range (P75)$142,372$68.45
Top Earners (P90)$172,404$82.89

Median Salary Position

$64,513$172,404
City Median: $111,228
National: $105,689
P10–P90 Range

5.24% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in SeaTac

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for clinical and counseling psychologists in SeaTac. The median salary is $111,228, compared to the national median of $105,689.$58.1K$88.8K$119.5K$150.3K$181.0K$64.5K10th Pctl$80.1K25th Pctl$111.2KMedian$142.4K75th Pctl$172.4K90th PctlUS Median$105.7K

In SeaTac, WA, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,891 (2026 est.). At $111,228, the local median is 5.24% above the national median of $105,689.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of clinical and counseling psychologist pay in the SeaTac metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,139
per week
$9,269
per month
$111,228
per year

At 40 hours/week in SeaTac: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How SeaTac Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares

SeaTac median: $111,228/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySeaTac Pays
Washington Average$113,498-2.00% less
National Average$105,689+5.24% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing clinical and counseling psychologist median salary in SeaTac ($111,228) with Washington average ($113,498) and the US national median ($105,689).SeaTac$111,228Washington Avg$113,498-2.00%US National$105,689+5.24%

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in SeaTac, WA earn a median of $111,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.24% higher than the national median of $105,689 and 2.00% below the Washington state average of $113,498.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$111,228
Nominal Salary
107.4
CoL Index
$103,564
Adjusted Salary

SeaTac has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $111,228. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the purchasing-power equivalent is $103,564, a loss of $7,664.$88.0K$98.0K$108.0K$117.9K$127.9K$111,228NominalSalary$103,564CoL Adjusted(CoL: 107.4) -6.89%US Median $105.7K

SeaTac, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $111,228 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,564 — a 6.89% reduction.

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

$86,834

2025 BLS Actual

$105,851

2026 Current Est.

$111,228

2021–2027 Growth

+34.6%

Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in SeaTac (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for clinical and counseling psychologists in SeaTac. Baseline $86,834 in 2025, projected to $116,879 by 2027.$80.8K$91.3K$101.9K$112.4K$122.9K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$86.8K$94.9K$101.1K$110.7K$105.9K$111.2K$116.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$86,834Actual
2022$94,853Actual
2023$101,136Actual
2024$110,703Actual
2025$105,851Actual
2026(current)$111,228Estimated
2027$116,879Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the SeaTac metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $86,834 (2021) to $105,851 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,879 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,045 (34.60%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the SeaTac metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$64,513$80,085
3-5 years (Mid Career)$80,085$111,228
5+ years (Experienced)$111,228$142,372
10+ years (Top Earner)$142,372$172,404

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 SeaTac

As of the latest estimates, the job market for clinical and counseling psychologists in SeaTac is rather limited, with just six professionals currently employed in the area. This small number can limit competition for high-paying positions, while simultaneously highlighting the demand for mental health services. Those pursuing work in this field should be aware of the local cost-of-living reality, as a higher index means salaries may not stretch as far as they could in other regions. Employers that offer the highest compensation in SeaTac are typically large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics. Factors contributing to the wide pay disparities within the field include shift differentials, specialized skills or credentials, and the overall size and benefits structure of the employing organization. To maximize earnings, clinical and counseling psychologists should consider pursuing additional certifications, negotiating benefits packages, and seeking employment in organizations known for competitive pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in SeaTac, WA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median clinical and counseling psychologist salary in SeaTac is $111,228/year ($53.48/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.08% annual growth). Salaries range from $64,513 at entry level (10th percentile) to $172,404 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts SeaTac at 5.2% above the national median. Full-time clinical and counseling psychologists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is SeaTac, WA a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

SeaTac clinical and counseling psychologist salaries are 5.2% above the national average and 2.0% below the Washington state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 clinical and counseling psychologists. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in SeaTac?

Yes — the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary in SeaTac is already $111,228, meaning more than half of clinical and counseling psychologists here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $172,404/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in SeaTac?

After adjusting for SeaTac's cost-of-living index of 107.4 (where 100 equals the national average), the $111,228 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $103,564 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in SeaTac reduce the effective value of your salary by 6.9% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make per hour in SeaTac?

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in SeaTac earn a median hourly rate of $53.48, which translates to approximately $111,228/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $31.02 for entry-level positions to $82.89 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem clinical and counseling psychologists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Washington

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

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 $105,851 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the SeaTac 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

Salary data for SeaTac is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: