Psychologist Pay

Clovis vs San Francisco: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Clovis, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clovis, CA
$125,448
$60.32/hr
San Francisco, CA
$174,853
$84.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClovis, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$125,448$174,853
Hourly Rate$60.32$84.06
Entry Level (P10)$72,759$86,397
25th Percentile$90,323$117,826
75th Percentile$160,573$192,202
Top Earner (P90)$194,444$211,452
Total Employed191,540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clovis ($125,448) and San Francisco ($174,853) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.ClovisSan FranciscoMedian Salary$125,448$174,853Entry Level (P10)$72,759$86,397Top Earner (P90)$194,444$211,452US Median $105,689

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Clovis.

The salary gap between Clovis and San Francisco is $49,405 (39.38%). San Francisco's median is +65.44% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clovis spans $121,685,San Francisco spans $125,055. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Clovis
P10 (Entry)$72,759
P25$90,323
Median$125,448
P75$160,573
P90 (Top)$194,444
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$86,397
P25$117,826
Median$174,853
P75$192,202
P90 (Top)$211,452

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($151,240 effective) pays 36.35% more than Clovis ($110,918 effective).

Clovis
Nominal: $125,448
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $110,918
San Francisco
Nominal: $174,853
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $151,240

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clovis if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($174,853/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($211,452)
  • Larger job market (1,540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $151,240)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Clovis grew -10.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.0% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Clovis, CA

+-10.0%

$132,591 (2024) → $119,383 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+28.0%

$129,980 (2021) → $166,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Clovis or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $174,853/year, compared to Clovis at $125,448/year — a difference of $49,405 (39.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clovis and San Francisco?

Clovis clinical and counseling psychologists earn $60.32/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $84.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clovis to San Francisco as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clovis and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clovis = $110,918, San Francisco = $151,240), job availability (19 vs 1,540 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Clovis vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $72,759 in Clovis and $86,397 in San Francisco. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in clinical psychology. She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy. Maria works at a mental health clinic in Chicago.

Clinically reviewed by James Wu, PsyD, LCSWData verified by Fatima Khan, PhD, LCPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.08% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC, a licensed clinical and counseling psychologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov