Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Murrieta, CA: $122,289 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Murrieta, CA earns a median $122,289/year (≈ $58.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Murrieta's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $108,125 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Murrieta, California, the salary for clinical and counseling psychologists is quite competitive, with a projected median annual salary of $122,289 for 2026. This figure positions local professionals above the national average salary of $105,689, reflecting a +15.71% premium for working in this specific geographic area. Compensation falls within a broad range from $70,928 at the lower end (P10) to $189,548 for those at the higher end of the scale (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences, suggest an evolving job market for psychologists in Murrieta, influenced by both demand and local economic conditions.
About the Murrieta Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,520) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,928 | $34.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,454 | $43.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,289 | $58.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,530 | $75.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,548 | $91.13 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murrieta
In Murrieta, CA, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,620 (2026 est.). At $122,289, the local median is 15.71% above the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murrieta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murrieta Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Murrieta median: $122,289/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murrieta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $122,534 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | +15.71% more |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Murrieta, CA earn a median of $122,289 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% higher than the national median of $105,689 and 0.20% below the California state average of $122,534.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murrieta has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Murrieta, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $122,289 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $108,125 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$95,469
2025 BLS Actual
$116,377
2026 Current Est.
$122,289
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Murrieta (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $95,469 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,286 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,193 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,253 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,377 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,289 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,501 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murrieta metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $95,469 (2021) to $116,377 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,501 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,032 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murrieta 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) | $70,928 – $89,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,454 – $122,289 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,289 – $156,530 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,530 – $189,548 |
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 Murrieta
The local employment landscape consists of 25 clinical and counseling psychologists, indicating a reasonable level of market saturation. The cost of living index in Murrieta is 113.1, which can affect take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Higher salaries are typically offered by large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, as they tend to provide better benefits and opportunities for advancement compared to private practices. Factors contributing to the wage disparity include shift differentials, required certifications, and the size of the employing institution. To maximize earnings in Murrieta, clinical and counseling psychologists are advised to pursue specialization credentials, seek employment in larger healthcare settings, and negotiate offer terms that account for the local cost of living.
More salary data for Murrieta, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Murrieta, CA in 2026?
Is Murrieta, CA a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Murrieta?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Murrieta?
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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 $116,377 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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