How much does a psychologist make in California?
$157,500a year
Median yearly pay for psychologists in California. That is $75.74 an hour or $13,130 a month.
- Hourly
- $75.74
- Vs. national median
- +42%
- Rank among states
- 1 of 42
- Jobs in the state
- 1,600
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $45,150Median: $157,500Highest 10%: $199,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,150 | $21.71 | |
| 25th | $95,160 | $45.75 | |
| Median | $157,500 | $75.74 | |
| 75th | $177,300 | $85.22 | |
| 90th | $199,000 | $95.65 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $175,200 |
| San Francisco, CA | $168,000 |
| Sacramento, CA | $166,500 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $153,600 |
| San Diego, CA | $148,800 |
| Riverside, CA | $148,500 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for psychologists.
| 1. California | $157,500 |
| 2. Kentucky | $150,000 |
| 3. Nevada | $146,900 |
| 4. Oklahoma | $141,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a psychologist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $75.74 ($157,500 a year).
Do psychologists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $157,500 against $110,800 nationally, 42% more.
Where does California rank for psychologist pay?
California ranks 1 of 42 states.
Which city in California pays psychologists the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $175,200 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.