School Psychologists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Median annual salary $121,540 +39.8% vs national
Median hourly $58.43
10th percentile $51,970
90th percentile $163,960
Employed locally 40
National median $86,930

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

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School Psychologists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,970
    25th
    $100,310
    50th (median)
    $121,540
    75th
    $134,490
    90th
    $163,960

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    School Psychologists salary vs area income 111% Median School Psychologists salary is 11% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for School Psychologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Boulder, CO $143,020
    El Centro, CA $140,350
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $127,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $127,730
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $127,030
    Salinas, CA $126,730

    Nearby metros — School Psychologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    El Centro, CA $140,350
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $127,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $127,730
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $127,030
    Salinas, CA $126,730
    Visalia, CA $125,680

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $79,670
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $144,660
    Urban and Regional Planners $109,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $86,680
    Biological Technicians $59,200
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers $129,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do School Psychologists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for School Psychologists in Santa Cruz, CA is $58.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.83 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for School Psychologists salaries?

    The median School Psychologists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 39.8% above the national median of $86,930. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for School Psychologists in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level School Psychologists (10th percentile) earn around $51,970 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $100,310.