Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $99,250 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $72,361 take-home, or $6,030 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,005
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,154
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,439
- California income tax$5,001
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,290
- Take-home pay$72,361
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,200 | $30.87 | $51,006 | $4,251 |
| 25th percentile | $79,980 | $38.45 | $60,848 | $5,071 |
| Median (50th) | $99,250 | $47.72 | $72,361 | $6,030 |
| 75th percentile | $142,830 | $68.67 | $97,980 | $8,165 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $180,960 | $87.00 | $120,000 | $10,000 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,250 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median clinical and counseling psychologist's $72,361 take-home pay has the buying power of $63,718 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Los Angeles, CA has 1.6× the national concentration of clinical and counseling psychologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for clinical and counseling psychologists, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #2 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $120,510 | $87,539 | $77,769 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $99,250 | $72,361 | $63,718 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $85,390 | $64,820 | $62,570 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
About the job: clinical and counseling psychologists
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +11.7% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median clinical and counseling psychologist salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $99,250 a year, or about $47.72 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,980 and $142,830.
What is a clinical and counseling psychologist’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $99,250 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $72,361 a year ($6,030 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,291 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $100,580. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $63,718 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #2 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a clinical and counseling psychologist afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median clinical and counseling psychologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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