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Clinical and Counseling Psychologists: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in California (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary grow from entry-level to senior in California? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

199% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • California salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$62,900
$5,242/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$116,000
$9,667/mo
Senior (P90)
$188,050
$15,671/mo

California vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$62,900
National: $57,603
+9.2%
Mid-Career (Median)
$116,000
National: $97,188
+19.4%
Senior (P90)
$188,050
National: $165,198
+13.8%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in California spans from $62,900 at entry-level to $188,050 at senior level — a difference of $125,150 per year.

P10
$62K
P25
$77K
Median
$116K
P75
$162K
P90
$188K

Career Growth Premium: +199%

Senior Clinical and Counseling Psychologistss in California earn $125,150 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$125,150
Monthly Difference
+$10,429
Hourly Difference
+$60.17
Growth Multiple
3.0x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary increases with experience in California, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $62,900 $5,242 $30.24
Early Career P25 $77,050 $6,421 $37.04
Mid-Career Median $116,000 $9,667 $55.77
Experienced P75 $162,360 $13,530 $78.06
Senior / Expert P90 $188,050 $15,671 $90.41
Key Insight

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in California shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $62,900, while senior-level professionals earn $188,050 — a 199% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($116,000) and experienced level ($162,360), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How California Compares to Other States

Where does California rank for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists senior-level salaries? Compare California's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$324,950
Entry: $70K
+362%
2
$259,990
Entry: $55K
+369%
3
$224,050
Entry: $57K
+292%
4
$216,570
Entry: $60K
+259%
5
$213,160
Entry: $52K
+303%
6
$205,790
Entry: $62K
+231%
7
$204,540
Entry: $64K
+215%
8
$194,050
Entry: $44K
+336%
9
$188,050
Entry: $62K
+199%
10
$179,850
Entry: $45K
+297%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Clinical and Counseling Psychologists?

Entry-level Clinical and Counseling Psychologistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $62,900 per year, or $5,241 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $77,050. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Clinical and Counseling Psychologists make?

Senior Clinical and Counseling Psychologistss (90th percentile) earn approximately $188,050 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $162,360. This represents a career premium of 199% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Clinical and Counseling Psychologists?

The career salary growth potential for Clinical and Counseling Psychologistss is 199%. Entry-level professionals start at $62,900, while senior-level can earn up to $188,050 — a difference of $125,150 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Clinical and Counseling Psychologistss?

The highest-paying state for senior Clinical and Counseling Psychologistss is California, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $188,050 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for California from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within California.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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