Average Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The average salary for a Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $103,020. This compensation is in line with national standards, reflecting a balanced and stable local job market. Notably, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is a key hub for this profession, with a job concentration 2.37x higher than average.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $103,020 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 1.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $172,850.
- Outlook: The current demand for Clinical and Counseling Psychologistss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 110 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA economy.
Salary Overview
The average Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns-4.0%below the national average.
$49.5
$1,981
$8,585
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary Trends (2020-2024)
Over the past 3 years, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA have remained stable with a modest increase of 1.7%. This positive trajectory often correlates with increased demand and a favorable future outlook for the profession.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary Distribution in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The earning potential for Clinical and Counseling Psychologistss in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 4.0x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $42,940, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $172,850.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $42,940 | $20.6 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $77,265 | $37.1 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $79,670 | $38.3 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $128,775 | $61.9 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $172,850 | $83.1 |
Detailed Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$103,020
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$103,020
Adjusted for COL (100)
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $103,020 to $103,020.
Job Market Context
110
Total Jobs
1.112
Per 1K Jobs
2.37
Location Quotient
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has 2.4x the national concentration of Clinical and Counseling Psychologists jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
110 people work as Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA.
1.112 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists positions — a typical concentration.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary | $124,280↑ 21% | 26 mi |
| Salinas, CA Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary | $113,410↑ 10% | 30 mi |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary | $150,060↑ 46% | 58 mi |
| Modesto, CA Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary | $98,810↓ 4% | 73 mi |
| Vallejo, CA Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary | $135,190↑ 31% | 79 mi |
Comparing salaries near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Hiring Clinical and Counseling Psychologistss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Clinical and Counseling Psychologists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median annual salary for a Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $103,020. This typically ranges from $42,940 for entry-level positions to $172,850 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is 4.0% lower than the national median of $107,350.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place for Clinical and Counseling Psychologistss?
Yes, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is highly recommended due to strong job demand. While salaries are competitive ($103,020), the area is particularly notable for its high job density for Clinical and Counseling Psychologistss. See distinct detailed breakdown below.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place to live for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists?
The Cost of Living Index in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,280) and Salinas, CA.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 110 employees in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area with a job density of 1.112 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA