Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Pay in Santa Cruz, CA: $57.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a clinical and counseling psychologist working in Santa Cruz, CA runs $57.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,593 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Weighted against Santa Cruz's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.9, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,156 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Cruz, clinical and counseling psychologists earn a median hourly rate of $57.02, surpassing the national median of $50.81. This competitive pay reflects the demand for mental health professionals in the region, making it an attractive option for part-time work, such as a three-day workweek, where a psychologist can earn around $43,071 annually if working 24 hours per week. The hourly wage ranges from $31.89 at the 10th percentile to $90.23 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the substantial earning potential for top professionals in the area. This data is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicating that Santa Cruz offers favorable compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists engaging in clinical settings or private practices.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.89 | $255.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.79 | $302.29 |
| Median (P50) | $57.02 | $456.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.24 | $601.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.23 | $721.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Cruz
Based on $57.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.02/hr, a clinical and counseling psychologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Cruz, CA can expect to earn approximately $118,594 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,420. With a cost-of-living index of 109.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Cruz.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Cruz
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,280.66 | $9,883 | $118,594 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,368.39 | $5,930 | $71,156 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $912.26 | $3,953 | $47,438 |
Compare CCP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist (Santa Cruz) | $57.02 |
| School Psychologist (National Avg) | $41.79 |
| Psychiatrist (National Avg) | $116.00 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.16 |
| Clinical Social Worker (Mental Health & Substance Abuse) (National Avg) | $30.99 |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $118,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% higher than the national median of $105,689 and 3.20% below the California state average of $122,514.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.02/hr = $71,156/year (purchasing power: $64,749).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,594/year (purchasing power: $107,915).
CoL index: 109.896 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$47.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.02/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+27.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Santa Cruz (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for clinical and counseling psychologists in Santa Cruz grew 15.4% from $47.02/hr (2021) to $54.26/hr (2025). At a 5.08% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.91/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem clinical and counseling psychologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.08% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Clinical and Counseling Psychologist in Santa Cruz
The earning potential for a part-time clinical and counseling psychologist working 24 hours weekly is significant, as they may take home approximately $43,071 per year compared to the more robust incomes of full-time colleagues. Per diem clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Santa Cruz can be considerably higher, often ranging from 10% to 25% above standard staff salaries. This premium incentivizes some professionals to choose per-diem positions, especially in high-demand settings like specialty clinics and community health centers. Various employer types, from private practices to large healthcare organizations, influence the hourly pay, impacting benefits such as health insurance. This leads to a trade-off; those willing to accept lower hourly rates for comprehensive benefits can find job security, while others may opt for higher hourly wages without benefits. Furthermore, for those negotiating hourly rates in Santa Cruz, being informed about these variances and emphasizing certifications can strengthen their position in discussions with potential employers.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for clinical and counseling psychologists in Santa Cruz in 2026?
How much do part-time clinical and counseling psychologists make in Santa Cruz?
Are clinical and counseling psychologists in Santa Cruz paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time clinical and counseling psychologist make per year in Santa Cruz?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.08% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for clinical and counseling psychologists in Santa Cruz. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.08%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for clinical and counseling psychologists (SOC 19-3033).
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