Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $79,670 -16.9% vs national
Median hourly $38.31
10th percentile $42,940
90th percentile $172,850
Employed locally 110
National median $95,830

Compare Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Santa Cruz, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,940
    25th
    $60,820
    50th (median)
    $79,670
    75th
    $133,300
    90th
    $172,850

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary vs area income 73% Median Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary is 27% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $160,210
    Vallejo, CA $143,370
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $139,440
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $137,990
    Salem, OR $134,440
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $133,820

    Nearby metros — Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $160,210
    Vallejo, CA $143,370
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $139,440
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $133,820
    Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL $126,910
    Fresno, CA $123,460

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $144,660
    Urban and Regional Planners $109,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $86,680
    Biological Technicians $59,200
    Biological Scientists, All Other $93,650
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers $129,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Clinical and Counseling Psychologists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Santa Cruz, CA is $38.31, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $85.87 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salaries?

    The median Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 16.9% below the national median of $95,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (10th percentile) earn around $42,940 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,820.