Psychologist Pay

Redlands vs San Diego: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Redlands, CA and San Diego, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Redlands, CA
$123,973
$59.60/hr
San Diego, CA
$75,752
$36.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRedlands, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$123,973$75,752
Hourly Rate$59.60$36.42
Entry Level (P10)$71,904$52,529
25th Percentile$89,261$66,726
75th Percentile$158,686$172,415
Top Earner (P90)$192,159$197,267
Total Employed161,650
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Redlands ($123,973) and San Diego ($75,752) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.RedlandsSan DiegoMedian Salary$123,973$75,752Entry Level (P10)$71,904$52,529Top Earner (P90)$192,159$197,267US Median $105,689

Verdict

Redlands and San Diego are closely matched on overall clinical and counseling psychologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Redlands and San Diego is $48,221 (63.66%). Redlands's median is +17.30% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Redlands spans $120,255,San Diego spans $144,738. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Redlands
P10 (Entry)$71,904
P25$89,261
Median$123,973
P75$158,686
P90 (Top)$192,159
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$52,529
P25$66,726
Median$75,752
P75$172,415
P90 (Top)$197,267

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Redlands ($109,614 effective) pays 61.90% more than San Diego ($67,704 effective).

Redlands
Nominal: $123,973
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $109,614
San Diego
Nominal: $75,752
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $67,704

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Redlands if…

  • Higher median salary ($123,973/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,614)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($197,267)
  • Larger job market (1,650 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 Redlands grew -10.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -45.5% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Redlands, CA

+-10.0%

$131,033 (2024) → $117,980 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+-45.5%

$132,320 (2021) → $72,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Redlands or San Diego?

Redlands has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $123,973/year, compared to San Diego at $75,752/year — a difference of $48,221 (63.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Redlands and San Diego?

Redlands clinical and counseling psychologists earn $59.60/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $36.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Redlands to San Diego as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Redlands and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Redlands = $109,614, San Diego = $67,704), job availability (16 vs 1,650 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Redlands vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $71,904 in Redlands and $52,529 in San Diego. The Redlands 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