Psychologist Pay

Lodi vs Los Angeles: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Lodi, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lodi, CA
$134,574
$64.70/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$104,292
$50.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLodi, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$134,574$104,292
Hourly Rate$64.70$50.14
Entry Level (P10)$78,052$67,461
25th Percentile$99,123$84,043
75th Percentile$172,254$150,086
Top Earner (P90)$208,589$190,153
Total Employed144,790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lodi ($134,574) and Los Angeles ($104,292) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.LodiLos AngelesMedian Salary$134,574$104,292Entry Level (P10)$78,052$67,461Top Earner (P90)$208,589$190,153US Median $105,689

Verdict

Lodi, CA offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Lodi and Los Angeles is $30,282 (29.04%). Lodi's median is +27.33% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lodi spans $130,537,Los Angeles spans $122,692. Lodi has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lodi
P10 (Entry)$78,052
P25$99,123
Median$134,574
P75$172,254
P90 (Top)$208,589
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$67,461
P25$84,043
Median$104,292
P75$150,086
P90 (Top)$190,153

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lodi ($118,987 effective) pays 29.57% more than Los Angeles ($91,834 effective).

Lodi
Nominal: $134,574
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $118,987
Los Angeles
Nominal: $104,292
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $91,834

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lodi if…

  • Higher median salary ($134,574/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($208,589)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $118,987)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (4,790 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Lodi grew 1.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -21.1% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Lodi, CA

+1.3%

$126,457 (2024) → $128,068 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+-21.1%

$125,860 (2021) → $99,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Lodi or Los Angeles?

Lodi has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $134,574/year, compared to Los Angeles at $104,292/year — a difference of $30,282 (29.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lodi and Los Angeles?

Lodi clinical and counseling psychologists earn $64.70/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $50.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lodi to Los Angeles as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lodi and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lodi = $118,987, Los Angeles = $91,834), job availability (14 vs 4,790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Lodi vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $78,052 in Lodi and $67,461 in Los Angeles. The Lodi area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in clinical psychology. She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy. Maria works at a mental health clinic in Chicago.

Clinically reviewed by James Wu, PsyD, LCSWData verified by Fatima Khan, PhD, LCPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.08% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC, a licensed clinical and counseling psychologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov