As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for phd psychologist in California is $162,949, equivalent to $78 per hour, $3,134 weekly, or $13,579 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for phd psychologist in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for phd psychologist in California vary widely, spanning from $133,553 to $180,801. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($147,562) and 75th percentile ($172,293), while top earners (90th percentile) make $180,801 per year. This $24,731 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Leadership or CPA, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, California phd psychologist often earn 10.3% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 50 companies. However, California currently ranks 2 nationwide for phd psychologist job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
phd psychologist Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile phd psychologist Salary $133,553 CA April 01, 2026
25th Percentile phd psychologist Salary $147,562 CA April 01, 2026
50th Percentile phd psychologist Salary $162,949 CA April 01, 2026
75th Percentile phd psychologist Salary $172,293 CA April 01, 2026
90th Percentile phd psychologist Salary $180,801 CA April 01, 2026
25% $147,562 10% $133,553 90% $180,801 75% $172,293 $162,949 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Clinical Psychologist (PsyD, PhD)

LifeStance Health - Modesto, CA

Clinical Psychologist (PsyD, PhD)

LifeStance Health - Santa Fe Springs, CA

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What is A phd psychologist ?

A PhD psychologist typically engages in advanced research, clinical practice, and teaching within the field of psychology. Responsibilities may include conducting psychological assessments, developing treatment plans, and providing therapy to individuals or groups. Additionally, these professionals often contribute to academic research, publish findings in scholarly journals, and may supervise graduate students or interns. Salaries for PhD psychologists can vary widely based on factors such as geographic location, area of specialization, and type of employment setting (e.g., academic institu...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

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Location Avg. Salary Date Updated
Location Coachella, CA Avg. Salary $149,760 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Acampo, CA Avg. Salary $152,848 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Acton, CA Avg. Salary $157,322 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Adelanto, CA Avg. Salary $149,646 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Adin, CA Avg. Salary $146,172 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Agoura Hills, CA Avg. Salary $155,263 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Aguanga, CA Avg. Salary $149,960 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Ahwahnee, CA Avg. Salary $142,370 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Alameda, CA Avg. Salary $174,560 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Location Alamo, CA Avg. Salary $174,160 Date Updated April 01, 2026
Job Openings for phd psychologist in California

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Psychologist - M.A.

    7 + years experience
    Master's Degree or MBA

  2. This Job:

    phd psychologist

    10 + years experience
    JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent

  3. Up a level:

    Psychological Services Director


    Bachelor's Degree

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