California Median
$127,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$61.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+33% vs US median
US median $95,990
State Rank
#1 of 51
8,340 employed here
How much does a School Psychologist make in California?
School Psychologists in California take home a median of $127,780 annually — roughly $61.43 an hour — which runs 33% above the national median of $95,990.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $97,200 while the top 10% make $160,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $109,940 and $140,980 a year.
School Psychologist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,200 | $46.73 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $109,940 | $52.86 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $127,780 | $61.43 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $140,980 | $67.78 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,170 | $77.00 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for School Psychologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
School Psychologist salary in other states
Colorado $124,770New Mexico $110,360Maryland $109,700Washington $108,780District of Columbia $107,500New York $106,550Oregon $106,070Connecticut $100,600Georgia $99,110Massachusetts $98,670Delaware $95,990New Jersey $95,160Rhode Island $94,900Alaska $94,460Nevada $93,680Arizona $92,380Ohio $91,010Nebraska $88,980Virginia $85,670Minnesota $85,190Florida $84,760Illinois $84,690Michigan $83,960Wyoming $83,740Texas $83,690Wisconsin $83,330Vermont $82,820Pennsylvania $82,190Hawaii $82,110Maine $81,650Montana $80,010South Dakota $78,370Utah $77,820Indiana $77,640Tennessee $76,850South Carolina $76,720Kentucky $75,370West Virginia $75,220Alabama $75,060Iowa $74,410New Hampshire $73,490North Carolina $73,220Kansas $73,020Idaho $71,700Missouri $70,290Louisiana $69,020North Dakota $68,960Oklahoma $64,930Arkansas $64,030Mississippi $61,070
Working as a School Psychologist in California
Nationally, about 64,000 people work as School Psychologists in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($127,780) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a School Psychologist make in California?
The median School Psychologist salary in California is $127,780 per year, or about $61.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $97,200 at the entry level to $160,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays School Psychologists about 33% more than the national median of $95,990. California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for School Psychologists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $127,780 a year. About 8,340 School Psychologists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national School Psychologist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.