The average salary for a psychologist in California is around $46,840 per year.
Avg Salary
Psychologists earn an average yearly salary of $46,840.
Wages typically start from $26,700 and go up to $116,960.
13% below national average Updated in 2017
Psychologist earnings by seniority
Top-level psychologist earnings begin at:
$56.23 per hour
$116,960 per year
Senior-level psychologist earnings begin at:
$39.42 per hour
$82,000 per year
Mid-level psychologist earnings begin at:
$22.52 per hour
$46,840 per year
Junior-level psychologist earnings begin at:
$13.00 per hour
$27,040 per year
Starting level psychologist earnings begin at:
$12.84 per hour
$26,700 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Psychologist salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $46,840 |
| New York | $33,280 |
How much does a Psychologist earn?
Indeed.com reports the national psychologists salary average to be $67,000 as of April 17, 2015. The HR Report data from Salary.com, however, states that as of April 2015, the median salary for psychologists in the U.S. is $88,120. Salary.com varies from Indeed.com and the BLS by almost $19,000 which is most likely due to the fact that Salary.com uses real-time survey feedback. All reported salary averages are dependent on the sample size and the demographic and geographic spread of the respondents.
As with other careers, the best psychology salaries generally go to those with the most experience. Payscale.com has reported the average national salaries for psychologists with various years of experience:
Less than 1 year: $69,315
1-4 years: $80,911
5-9 years: $86,634
10-19 years: $106,374
20 years or more: $120,877
Psychologists Compensation by Geographical Region
Where psychologists choose to work will play a big part in determining how much they’ll earn. For instance, in New York City, salaries for qualified psychologists are typically much higher than in rural locations, such as Lincoln, Nebraska. However, when considering location, individuals must also take into account the cost of living. The cost of living in New York City is much higher than it is Lincoln, Nebraska.
How do psychologist salaries compare to similar careers?
Psychologists earn 10% less than similar careers in California. On average, they make less than registered nurses but more than licensed practical nurses.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Registered nurse salary | $83K |
| Scientist salary | $45K |
| Health educator salary | $44K |
| Nurse salary | $59K |
| Physical therapist salary | $73K |
| Psychologist salary | $47K |
| Medical and clinical laboratory technician salary | $41K |
| Urban planner salary | $47K |
| Optician salary | $36K |
| Licensed practical nurse salary | $48K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)