School Psychologists Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The median pay for a school psychologists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $127,030/year ($61.07/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $116,756 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 41.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $127K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level school psychologists (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $127K.Top earners bring in $158K or more - a $77K 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do school psychologists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $127,030 a year - that works out to about $61.07 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,410, and experienced school psychologists can clear $157,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $127K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,469/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 41.8% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (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 $116,756 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.