Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary in California
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in California make a median of $114,520 a year, or about $55.06 an hour. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $190K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $115K get you in California?
About clinical and counseling psychologists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $115K.Top earners bring in $190K or more - a $130K spread from bottom to top.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $133K | +38% | 440 |
| Kentucky | $116K | +22% | 850 |
| Washington | $115K | +20% | 980 |
| California | $115K | +20% | 11,900 |
| New Jersey | $110K | +15% | 2,850 |
| Delaware | $109K | +14% | 190 |
| North Dakota | $109K | +14% | 150 |
| Hawaii | $109K | +14% | 300 |
| Arizona | $107K | +12% | 1,140 |
| Alaska | $106K | +10% | 80 |
| Maryland | $104K | +9% | 1,680 |
| Wisconsin | $104K | +8% | 980 |
| Nevada | $104K | +8% | 510 |
| Minnesota | $103K | +7% | 1,490 |
| Ohio | $102K | +7% | 1,360 |
Track clinical and counseling psychologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in California?
The median is $114,520 a year - that works out to about $55.06 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,990, and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists can clear $189,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $115K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,847/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 32.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a clinical and counseling psychologists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median clinical and counseling psychologists salary is worth about $114,520 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do clinical and counseling psychologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.