Psychologist Pay

Oakley vs Sacramento: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary (2026)

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

Oakley, CA
$118,626
$57.03/hr
Sacramento, CA
$160,825
$77.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOakley, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$118,626$160,825
Hourly Rate$57.03$77.32
Entry Level (P10)$68,803$67,503
25th Percentile$90,416$100,593
75th Percentile$151,841$189,249
Top Earner (P90)$183,870$216,087
Total Employed8630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oakley ($118,626) and Sacramento ($160,825) clinical and counseling psychologist salaries.OakleySacramentoMedian Salary$118,626$160,825Entry Level (P10)$68,803$67,503Top Earner (P90)$183,870$216,087US Median $105,689

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for clinical and counseling psychologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oakley.

The salary gap between Oakley and Sacramento is $42,199 (35.57%). Sacramento's median is +52.17% compared to the US national median of $105,689.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oakley spans $115,067,Sacramento spans $148,584. Sacramento has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced clinical and counseling psychologists.

Oakley
P10 (Entry)$68,803
P25$90,416
Median$118,626
P75$151,841
P90 (Top)$183,870
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$67,503
P25$100,593
Median$160,825
P75$189,249
P90 (Top)$216,087

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($150,769 effective) pays 43.75% more than Oakley ($104,886 effective).

Oakley
Nominal: $118,626
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $104,886
Sacramento
Nominal: $160,825
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $150,769

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oakley if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($160,825/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($216,087)
  • Larger job market (630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $150,769)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, clinical and counseling psychologist salaries in Oakley grew -10.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.3% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Oakley, CA

+-10.0%

$125,380 (2024) → $112,891 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+18.3%

$129,380 (2021) → $153,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Sacramento has a higher median clinical and counseling psychologist salary at $160,825/year, compared to Oakley at $118,626/year — a difference of $42,199 (35.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oakley and Sacramento?

Oakley clinical and counseling psychologists earn $57.03/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $77.32/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oakley and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oakley = $104,886, Sacramento = $150,769), job availability (8 vs 630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) clinical and counseling psychologists earn $68,803 in Oakley and $67,503 in Sacramento. 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