verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Psychologist Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$116,000/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$55.77/hr
▲ 15% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
12,840
public U.S. Median
$100,580
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$104,769 #20 of 48

Psychologist pay in California, explained

Psychologists in California earn a median of $116,000 per year ($55.77 per hour), which is 15% above the national median of $100,580. Entry-level workers earn around $62,900, while the most experienced psychologists reach about $188,050. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $116,000 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $116,000 is worth about $104,769 in national buying power — ranking California #20 for real pay (vs #8 on the sticker number).

See the full Psychologist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Psychologist pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$62,900
$30.24/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$116,000
$55.77/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$188,050
$90.41/hr

Psychologist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $116,000 $104,769
Oregon $134,350 $129,981 −$18,350
Arizona $119,010 $118,210 −$3,010
Nevada $102,650 $102,672 +$13,350

Psychologist in California: FAQ

How much do psychologists make in California?

Psychologists in California earn a median of $116,000 per year ($55.77 per hour), compared with $100,580 nationally.

Does California pay psychologists well?

At $116,000, California pays 15% above the national median for psychologists. An estimated 12,840 work in the state.

Psychologist salary in other states

All 48 states ranked arrow_forward

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