Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Lakewood, CA: $119,431 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Lakewood, CA earns a median $119,431/year (≈ $57.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $105,598 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, California, clinical and counseling psychologists enjoy a median annual salary of $119,431, exceeding the national median by 13%. The salary range for these professionals spans from $69,270 at the 10th percentile to $185,117 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a healthy distribution of pay based on experience and specialty. Employment in this sector currently stands at 19 individuals, indicating a relatively niche market that could lead to increased competition among practitioners. Local estimates have been derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for regional economic factors, affirming that psychologists in Lakewood are positioned within a solid salary environment.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,520) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,270 | $33.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,431 | $57.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,871 | $73.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,117 | $89.00 |
Median Salary Position
13.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CA, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,847 (2026 est.). At $119,431, the local median is 13% above the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $119,431/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $122,493 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | +13.00% more |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Lakewood, CA earn a median of $119,431 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.00% higher than the national median of $105,689 and 2.50% below the California state average of $122,493.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,431 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,598 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$93,238
2025 BLS Actual
$113,657
2026 Current Est.
$119,431
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Lakewood (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $93,238 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,848 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,595 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,232 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,657 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,431 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,498 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $93,238 (2021) to $113,657 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,498 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,260 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.08% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $69,270 – $85,990 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,990 – $119,431 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,431 – $152,871 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,871 – $185,117 |
CCP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual clinical and counseling psychologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Job Market in Lakewood
Examining the local job market, the cost-of-living index in Lakewood is 113.1, indicating that living expenses are above the national average. This reality impacts the take-home purchasing power for clinical and counseling psychologists, making salary negotiations pivotal. Among the various employers in the area, private practices and large healthcare organizations tend to offer the most competitive pay, while community health centers and specialty clinics may provide more stable employment but typically at lower rates. Factors influencing pay disparities include specialty credentials, shift differentials, and the size of the employing organization, with larger employers often delivering better benefits packages. To maximize earning potential, professionals in Lakewood may consider advancing their qualifications in in-demand specialties or seeking opportunities in higher-paying institutions.
More salary data for Lakewood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Lakewood?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $113,657 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Lakewood metropolitan area. A 5.08% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lakewood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.08%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for clinical and counseling psychologists (SOC 19-3033).
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