SOC 19-3033 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists — San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA · 10 metro areas compared
At $155,960 a year, the median wage for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in San Luis Obispo, CA sits 55.1% above the national figure of $100,580.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $155,960 a year, the median wage for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in San Luis Obispo, CA sits 55.1% above the national figure of $100,580. Half of workers earn between $120,960 and $162,360. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $94,340 and the ninetieth at $215,140.
The area has 90 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.50 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. San Francisco leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $166,400. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 18th of 361 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $94,340 | −6.2% |
| 25th | $120,960 | +20.3% |
| Median (50th) | $155,960 | +55.1% |
| 75th | $162,360 | +61.4% |
| 90th | $215,140 | +113.9% |
| Mean | $166,470 | +65.5% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $166,400 | 1,540 | |
| 2 | Sacramento | $153,050 | 630 | |
| 3 | Hanford | $147,210 | 40 | |
| 4 | Vallejo | $143,600 | 180 | |
| 5 | Stockton | $129,860 | 160 | |
| 6 | Fresno | $129,120 | 280 | |
| 7 | Modesto | $123,030 | 70 | |
| 8 | Oxnard | $116,960 | 300 | |
| 9 | Santa Rosa | $116,620 | 200 | |
| 10 | Bakersfield | $116,550 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Luis Obispo run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $155,960 buys what $140,885 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 40.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$155,960as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$140,885US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $155,960 a year, 55.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $94,340 to $215,140 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $166,400.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in San Luis Obispo, CA?
The median annual wage is $155,960, or $74.98 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $100,580, so pay in San Luis Obispo, CA is 55.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Luis Obispo, CA earns more than $215,140 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $94,340 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Francisco, at $166,400 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 jobs in this occupation in San Luis Obispo, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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