Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Chicago, IL
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $85,390 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,820 take-home, or $5,402 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,956
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,294
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,238
- Illinois income tax$4,082
- Take-home pay$64,820
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $53,650 | $25.79 | $42,777 | $3,565 |
| Median (50th) | $85,390 | $41.05 | $64,820 | $5,402 |
| 75th percentile | $128,480 | $61.77 | $92,867 | $7,739 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,400 | $81.92 | $119,444 | $9,954 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $85,390 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median clinical and counseling psychologist's $64,820 take-home pay has the buying power of $62,570 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 2.3× the national concentration of clinical and counseling psychologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for clinical and counseling psychologists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #3 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $120,510 | $87,539 | $77,769 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $99,250 | $72,361 | $63,718 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $85,390 | $64,820 | $62,570 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
About the job: clinical and counseling psychologists
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +11.7% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make in Chicago, IL?
The median clinical and counseling psychologist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $85,390 a year, or about $41.05 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $53,650 and $128,480.
What is a clinical and counseling psychologist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $85,390 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $64,820 a year ($5,402 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,082 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $100,580. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $62,570 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #3 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a clinical and counseling psychologist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median clinical and counseling psychologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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- School Psychologist — $90,620
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