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Behavioral Health Director Salary in California

How much does a Behavioral Health Director make in California?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Behavioral Health Director in California is $154,009 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

However, a Behavioral Health Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $202,614
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $136,138 to $179,450
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $119,867

Key Factors That Influence Behavioral Health Director Salaries

A Behavioral Health Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Behavioral Health Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Behavioral Health Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Behavior Analyst (4-7 years): $77,907
  • Behavioral Health Supervisor (7+ years): $100,178
  • Behavioral Health Manager (7+ years): $116,038
  • Behavioral Health Director (7+ years): $154,009
  • VP of Behavioral Health (7+ years): $190,613
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Behavior Analyst4-7 years$77,907
Behavioral Health Supervisor7+ years$100,178
Behavioral Health Manager7+ years$116,038
Behavioral Health Director7+ years$154,009
VP of Behavioral Health7+ years$190,613

Top Paying Cities for Behavioral Health Director

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $154,274
  • West Hollywood: $154,162
  • Dodgertown: $154,272

Behavioral Health Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Behavioral Health Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $165,908. While startup companies pay approximate $140,848.

Behavioral Health Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $140,848
Growth Stage 51~500 $148,845
Established 501~5000 $160,319
Enterprise 5000+ $165,908

Behavioral Health Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Behavioral Health Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Insurance, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Behavioral Health Director positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Behavioral Health Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Behavioral Health Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$153,590$74.010%
Healthcare$146,608$70.05%

Behavioral Health Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Behavioral Health Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$136,138
Average $154,009/year
$179,450
$11,345
Average $12,834/month
$14,954
$2,618
Average $2,962/week
$3,451
$65
Average $74/hour
$86
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $179,450 $14,954 $3,451 $86
Average $154,009 $12,834 $2,962 $74
25th Percentile $136,138 $11,345 $2,618 $65

Behavioral Health Director Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Behavioral Health Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Behavioral Health role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $190,613 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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