Healthcare San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

Psychologist Salary in San Diego, California

The median psychologist salary in San Diego, CA is $127,995 per year, which is 50.0% above the national median and 2.7% above the California state average.

City Median
$127,995
vs State Avg
+$3,413
vs National
+$42,665
Cost of Living
142%

Psychologist Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level psychologist earns around $78,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $217,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$78,000
+$26,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$132,000
+$44,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$217,500
+$72,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $72,000
25th Percentile $96,000
Median (50th) $127,995
75th Percentile $172,500
90th Percentile $232,500

Psychologist Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$162,127
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$150,181
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$131,408
Pop. 3,898,747
Sacramento, CA
$107,516
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Psychologist in San Diego

Education

Most psychologist positions require a doctoral degree. San Diego and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PsychotherapyPsychological AssessmentCBT/DBTResearch MethodsClinical DocumentationEthics

Job Outlook

Nationally, psychologist employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in San Diego may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Psychologist Jobs in San Diego

Browse open psychologist positions in San Diego, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Psychologist Salary in San Diego

How much does a Psychologist make in San Diego, CA? ▼
The median psychologist salary in San Diego, California is $127,995 per year, which is 50.0% above the national median of $85,330. Salaries range from $72,000 (10th percentile) to $232,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Psychologist make per hour in San Diego? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $127,995, a psychologist in San Diego earns approximately $62 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Diego compare to the California state average for psychologist pay? ▼
San Diego's median psychologist salary of $127,995 is 2.7% above the California state average of $124,582. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA? ▼
San Diego has a cost of living index of 142% compared to the national average. This means a psychologist salary of $127,995 in San Diego has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a psychologist in San Diego? ▼
Most psychologist positions in San Diego require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Psychotherapy, Psychological Assessment, CBT/DBT, Research Methods. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.