Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Santa Monica, CA: $123,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Santa Monica, CA earns a median $123,857/year (≈ $59.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Santa Monica's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $109,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Among clinical and counseling psychologists in Santa Monica, California, the median annual salary is projected to be $123,857 in 2026, which surpasses the national benchmark by 17.19%. These professionals can expect to earn between $71,837 and $191,978 annually, reflecting the significant variation in compensation based on experience and specialization. With only 20 clinical and counseling psychologists employed in the area, this figure indicates a relatively small market, which may suggest both opportunities and challenges for job seekers in Santa Monica. Local salary estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, accounting for regional price variations and the unique economic factors within this coastal city.
About the Santa Monica Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,520) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,837 | $34.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,177 | $42.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,857 | $59.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,536 | $76.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,978 | $92.30 |
Median Salary Position
17.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Monica
In Santa Monica, CA, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,141 (2026 est.). At $123,857, the local median is 17.19% above the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Monica: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Monica Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Santa Monica median: $123,857/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Monica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $122,509 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $105,689 | +17.19% more |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Santa Monica, CA earn a median of $123,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.19% higher than the national median of $105,689 and 1.10% above the California state average of $122,509.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Monica has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Monica, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $123,857 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $109,511 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$96,693
2025 BLS Actual
$117,869
2026 Current Est.
$123,857
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Santa Monica (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $96,693 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,623 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,619 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,909 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,869 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,149 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Monica metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $96,693 (2021) to $117,869 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,149 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,456 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Monica 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) | $71,837 – $89,177 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,177 – $123,857 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,857 – $158,536 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,536 – $191,978 |
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 Santa Monica
In terms of local dynamics, Santa Monica’s job market for clinical and counseling psychologists exhibits a strong yet selective nature due to the high cost of living, evidenced by a cost-of-living index of 113.1. This reality impacts take-home purchasing power and necessitates strategic career planning for those entering the field. Among the employers, private practices and large healthcare organizations typically offer the most competitive pay, while community health centers and specialty clinics may provide different benefits or work-life balance incentives. Variations in salary arise from factors such as shift differentials, required specialties, advantages of size in organizational context, and comprehensive benefits packages. To maximize earning potential in Santa Monica, psychologists should consider acquiring specialty credentials and networking within established practices to access higher-paying roles and secure lucrative opportunities in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Santa Monica, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Santa Monica, CA in 2026?
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Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Santa Monica?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Santa Monica?
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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
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 $117,869 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Santa Monica 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
Salary data for Santa Monica is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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