Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in San Francisco, CA: $174,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in San Francisco, CA earns a median $174,853/year (≈ $84.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $151,240 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 42.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in San Francisco, California, is projected to reach $174,853, significantly higher than the national median of $105,689, representing a remarkable 65.44% increase in purchasing power. With a salary range extending from $86,397 at the 10th percentile to $211,452 at the 90th percentile, this data reflects trends derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The city’s competitive job market reflects not only the high cost of living but also the increasing demand for mental health services, making San Francisco an attractive yet challenging locale for professionals in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,397 | $41.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,826 | $56.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $174,853 | $84.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $192,202 | $92.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,452 | $101.65 |
Median Salary Position
65.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,055 (2026 est.). At $174,853, the local median is 65.44% above the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $174,853/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $122,532 | +42.70% more |
| National Average | $105,689 | +65.44% more |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $174,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.44% higher than the national median of $105,689 and 42.70% above the California state average of $122,532.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $174,853 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,240 — a 13.5% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$129,980
2025 BLS Actual
$166,400
2026 Current Est.
$174,853
2021–2027 Growth
+41.4%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in San Francisco (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $129,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $144,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $160,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $183,736 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 28.0% from $129,980 (2021) to $166,400 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $183,736 by 2027 — a total increase of $53,756 (41.36%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $86,397 – $117,826 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,826 – $174,853 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $174,853 – $192,202 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $192,202 – $211,452 |
CCP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual clinical and counseling psychologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Job Market in San Francisco
Despite the advantages of a larger salary, the cost of living index for San Francisco is 115.613, suggesting that take-home purchasing power may not be as expansive as salaries imply. With 1,540 clinical and counseling psychologists practicing in the area, competition may drive salaries and benefits to vary widely among employers. Private practices and large healthcare organizations often provide the highest compensation, while community health centers and specialty clinics may offer lower pay. Factors driving salary disparities include shift differentials for unsociable hours, specialty credentials, and the size of the employing organization affecting benefits structures. To maximize pay in San Francisco, professionals should consider pursuing advanced certifications that meet specific community needs while also examining employment negotiations carefully with larger institutions that may provide more substantial benefits.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in San Francisco, CA in 2026?
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in San Francisco?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in San Francisco?
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make per hour in San Francisco?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $166,400 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the San Francisco metropolitan area. A 5.08% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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