How much does a therapist make in California?
$81,760a year
Median yearly pay for therapists in California. That is $39.31 an hour or $6,813 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.31
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among states
- 11 of 41
- Jobs in the state
- 840
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $59,880Median: $81,760Highest 10%: $166,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,880 | $28.79 | |
| 25th | $70,730 | $34.00 | |
| Median | $81,760 | $39.31 | |
| 75th | $105,100 | $50.55 | |
| 90th | $166,300 | $79.95 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $122,100 |
| San Diego, CA | $88,330 |
| Sacramento, CA | $81,470 |
| San Jose, CA | $79,040 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $77,610 |
| Riverside, CA | $74,790 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for therapists.
| 8. Nebraska | $86,900 |
| 9. Rhode Island | $86,400 |
| 10. Oregon | $81,860 |
| 11. California | $81,760 |
| 12. New York | $77,980 |
| 13. Kansas | $76,740 |
| 14. Minnesota | $75,360 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a therapist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $39.31 ($81,760 a year).
Do therapists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $81,760 against $77,930 nationally, 5% more.
Where does California rank for therapist pay?
California ranks 11 of 41 states.
Which city in California pays therapists the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $122,100 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.