School Psychologist Salary in Los Angeles, CA
School Psychologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $122,390 a year — 28% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $86,176 take-home, or $7,181 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median school psychologist salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$18,108
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,588
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,775
- California income tax$7,153
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,591
- Take-home pay$86,176
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
School Psychologist pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,390 | $43.46 | $67,068 | $5,589 |
| 25th percentile | $109,940 | $52.86 | $78,749 | $6,562 |
| Median (50th) | $122,390 | $58.84 | $86,176 | $7,181 |
| 75th percentile | $139,040 | $66.85 | $95,791 | $7,983 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,610 | $76.74 | $107,670 | $8,973 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $122,390 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 school psychologist's $86,176 take-home pay has the buying power of $75,882 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
School Psychologist jobs are about as common in Los Angeles, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.19).
Best-paying cities for school psychologists, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #9 of 24 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside, CA | $139,400 | $95,999 | $90,189 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $129,340 | $94,687 | $89,512 |
| 3 | Sacramento, CA | $131,920 | $91,679 | $85,947 |
| 4 | San Diego, CA | $131,070 | $91,189 | $81,501 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $115,570 | $90,133 | $81,104 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $114,520 | $84,299 | $80,679 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $130,540 | $90,882 | $78,609 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $117,540 | $85,625 | $76,068 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $122,390 | $86,176 | $75,882 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 24 metros →
School Psychologist salaries elsewhere in California
- Riverside, CA — $139,400
- Sacramento, CA — $131,920
- San Diego, CA — $131,070
- San Francisco, CA — $130,540
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school psychologist make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median school psychologist salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $122,390 a year, or about $58.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $109,940 and $139,040.
What is a school psychologist’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $122,390 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $86,176 a year ($7,181 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,744 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a school psychologist?
Pay here is 28% above the national median of $95,990. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $75,882 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #9 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a school 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) — 31% of a median school psychologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Los Angeles, CA
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- Psychologists, All Other — $153,630
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- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $134,890
- Biochemist and Biophysicist — $131,700
- Urban and Regional Planner — $111,380
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $105,340
- Forensic Science Technician — $104,410
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- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $100,550
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- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $99,250