Psychologist Pay

Los Angeles vs Oakley: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

Compare clinical and counseling psychologist salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Oakley, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$104,292
$50.14/hr
Oakley, CA
$118,626
$57.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAOakley, CA
Median Salary$104,292$118,626
Hourly Rate$50.14$57.03
Entry Level (P10)$67,461$68,803
25th Percentile$84,043$90,416
75th Percentile$150,086$151,841
Top Earner (P90)$190,153$183,870
Total Employed4,7908
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($104,292) and Oakley ($118,626) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.Los AngelesOakleyMedian Salary$104,292$118,626Entry Level (P10)$67,461$68,803Top Earner (P90)$190,153$183,870US Median $105,689

Verdict

Los Angeles and Oakley are closely matched on overall clinical and counseling psychologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Oakley is $14,334 (13.74%). Oakley's median is +12.24% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $122,692,Oakley spans $115,067. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$67,461
P25$84,043
Median$104,292
P75$150,086
P90 (Top)$190,153
Oakley
P10 (Entry)$68,803
P25$90,416
Median$118,626
P75$151,841
P90 (Top)$183,870

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Oakley ($104,886 effective) pays 14.21% more than Los Angeles ($91,834 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $104,292
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $91,834
Oakley
Nominal: $118,626
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $104,886

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($190,153)
  • Larger job market (4,790 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Oakley if…

  • Higher median salary ($118,626/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,886)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Los Angeles grew -21.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -10.0% growth in Oakley over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-21.1%

$125,860 (2021) → $99,250 (2025)

Oakley, CA

+-10.0%

$125,380 (2024) → $112,891 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays clinical and counseling psychologists more: Los Angeles or Oakley?

Oakley has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $118,626/year, compared to Los Angeles at $104,292/year — a difference of $14,334 (13.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Oakley?

Los Angeles clinical and counseling psychologists earn $50.14/hr while Oakley hygienists earn $57.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Oakley as a clinical and counseling psychologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Oakley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $91,834, Oakley = $104,886), job availability (4,790 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists earn in Los Angeles vs Oakley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $67,461 in Los Angeles and $68,803 in Oakley. The Oakley 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