School Psychologists Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a school psychologists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $127,940/year ($61.51/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $97K at the entry level to $178K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $115,867 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 46.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $128K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About school psychologists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level school psychologists (10th percentile) start around $97K. Mid-career wages sit at $128K.Top earners bring in $178K or more - a $81K spread from bottom to top.
School Psychologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $118K | +36% | 9,350 |
| Oregon | $113K | +30% | 680 |
| Maryland | $109K | +25% | 2,010 |
| Washington | $106K | +22% | 1,290 |
| District of Columbia | $101K | +16% | 280 |
| New Mexico | $100K | +15% | 540 |
| New York | $99K | +14% | 7,250 |
| Massachusetts | $98K | +13% | 2,730 |
| Connecticut | $98K | +13% | 1,100 |
| Georgia | $97K | +11% | 1,670 |
| Alaska | $92K | +6% | 140 |
| New Jersey | $91K | +5% | 2,090 |
| Wyoming | $88K | +1% | 90 |
| Rhode Island | $88K | +1% | 220 |
| Ohio | $87K | +0% | 2,110 |
Track school psychologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do school psychologists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $127,940 a year - that works out to about $61.51 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $97,180, and experienced school psychologists can clear $177,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $128K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,514/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 46.4% 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 school psychologists salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median school psychologists salary is worth about $115,867 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do school 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.