Psychologist Pay

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$104,292
$50.14/hr
Montebello, CA
$121,421
$58.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAMontebello, CA
Median Salary$104,292$121,421
Hourly Rate$50.14$58.37
Entry Level (P10)$67,461$70,425
25th Percentile$84,043$91,568
75th Percentile$150,086$155,419
Top Earner (P90)$190,153$188,202
Total Employed4,79016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($104,292) and Montebello ($121,421) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.Los AngelesMontebelloMedian Salary$104,292$121,421Entry Level (P10)$67,461$70,425Top Earner (P90)$190,153$188,202US Median $105,689

Verdict

Los Angeles and Montebello are closely matched on overall clinical and counseling psychologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Montebello is $17,129 (16.42%). Montebello's median is +14.89% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $122,692,Montebello spans $117,777. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$67,461
P25$84,043
Median$104,292
P75$150,086
P90 (Top)$190,153
Montebello
P10 (Entry)$70,425
P25$91,568
Median$121,421
P75$155,419
P90 (Top)$188,202

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Montebello ($107,357 effective) pays 16.90% more than Los Angeles ($91,834 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $104,292
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $91,834
Montebello
Nominal: $121,421
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $107,357

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($190,153)
  • Larger job market (4,790 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Montebello if…

  • Higher median salary ($121,421/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,357)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Los Angeles grew -21.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -10.0% growth in Montebello over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-21.1%

$125,860 (2021) → $99,250 (2025)

Montebello, CA

+-10.0%

$128,335 (2024) → $115,551 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Montebello has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $121,421/year, compared to Los Angeles at $104,292/year — a difference of $17,129 (16.42%).

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

Los Angeles clinical and counseling psychologists earn $50.14/hr while Montebello hygienists earn $58.37/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Montebello. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $91,834, Montebello = $107,357), job availability (4,790 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $67,461 in Los Angeles and $70,425 in Montebello. The Montebello 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