California ranks 5th of 45 states and D.C. for clinical and counseling psychologists pay, trailing top-paying Oregon ($132,550) by $18,030 — a 16% gap.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.41 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.41× the national share.
California employs roughly 16.5% of all clinical and counseling psychologists in the country (11,900 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| 25th percentile | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $114,520 | $55.06 |
| 75th percentile | $158,400 | $76.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $189,540 | $91.13 |
| Mean (average) | $124,720 | $59.96 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $114,520 | n/a |
| Oregon | $132,550 | +16% |
| Colorado | $126,260 | +10% |
| Kentucky | $116,480 | +2% |
| Washington | $115,050 | +0% |
| New Jersey | $110,190 | -4% |
| Delaware | $109,120 | -5% |
| North Dakota | $109,110 | -5% |
| Hawaii | $108,840 | -5% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $115,400 | 65,170 |
| Facilities Managers | $115,700 | 18,620 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $116,000 | 14,680 |
| Computer Programmers | $116,220 | 14,720 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $112,010 | 12,580 |
| Web Developers | $117,380 | 10,820 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary in California?
The mean clinical and counseling psychologists salary in California is $124,720 per year. The median (middle) salary is $114,520 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in California?
Entry-level clinical and counseling psychologistss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $59,990 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $77,850 per year.
What is the highest Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $189,540 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $158,400 per year.
How does the California Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary compare to the national average?
The median clinical and counseling psychologists salary in California is $114,520, which is +20% above national average of $95,830.