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
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
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 #2 of 4 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $117,540 | $85,625 | $76,068 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $122,390 | $86,176 | $75,882 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $98,670 | $73,531 | $67,917 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $90,620 | $68,240 | $65,872 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 4 metros →
About the job: school psychologists
Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.8% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
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 #2 of 4 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%.
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