Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in California
Thinking about a career as a Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in California? Below are the key facts. Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients. Excludes “Psychiatrists” (29-1223).
What do Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Make in California?
The clinical and counseling psychologists working in California, wages run about $114,520 per year (or about $55.06/hour).Annual wages span from $59,990 at the 10th percentile to $189,540 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| 25th percentile | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Median (50th) | $114,520 | $55.06 |
| 75th percentile | $158,400 | $76.15 |
| 90th percentile | $189,540 | $91.13 |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 1.41, suggesting that clinical and counseling psychologists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, clinical and counseling psychologists earn a median of $68,140 per year ($32.76/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 74,184 clinical and counseling psychologists in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 11,900 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 660 clinical and counseling psychologists.
Top California Metros for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
The largest metro-area employers of clinical and counseling psychologists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 3,760 | $100,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 2,220 | $160,210 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,510 | $99,990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 760 | $96,600 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 620 | $118,780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 560 | $101,520 |
| Fresno, CA | 300 | $123,460 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 240 | $93,470 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 230 | $118,110 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 210 | $105,750 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 190 | $110,310 |
| Vallejo, CA | 170 | $143,370 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 110 | $79,670 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 100 | $133,820 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 100 | $118,780 |
| Modesto, CA | 90 | $83,000 |
| Salinas, CA | 80 | $118,780 |
| Visalia, CA | 50 | $107,860 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 40 | $139,440 |
| Redding, CA | 40 | $95,800 |
| Chico, CA | 30 | $94,060 |
Top States for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Employment
View the states that employ the most clinical and counseling psychologists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 11,900 |
| New York | 7,190 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,850 |
| Illinois | 3,470 |
| Massachusetts | 3,470 |
| Texas | 3,410 |
| Florida | 3,230 |
| New Jersey | 2,850 |
| Michigan | 2,650 |
| North Carolina | 2,420 |
| Colorado | 1,940 |
| Maryland | 1,680 |
| Indiana | 1,630 |
| Minnesota | 1,490 |
| Missouri | 1,490 |
| Ohio | 1,360 |
| Georgia | 1,210 |
| Arizona | 1,140 |
| Utah | 1,000 |
| Washington | 980 |
Highest-Paying States for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Where clinical and counseling psychologists earn the most: clinical and counseling psychologists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $132,550 |
| Colorado | $126,260 |
| Kentucky | $116,480 |
| Washington | $115,050 |
| California | $114,520 |
| New Jersey | $110,190 |
| Delaware | $109,120 |
| North Dakota | $109,110 |
| Hawaii | $108,840 |
| Arizona | $106,970 |
Skills
Key clinical and counseling psychologists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for clinical and counseling psychologists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists typically:
- Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
- Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
- Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
- Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
- Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
- Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
- Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans or diagnoses as necessary.
- Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.
- Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, or needs.
- Develop and implement individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy.
- Maintain current knowledge of relevant research.
Work Activities
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Processing Information
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software, Google Docs In-demand technologies: Google Meet
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- General Psychology
- Clinical & Counseling Psychology
- Child Development & Psychology
- Mental & Social Health Services
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to clinical and counseling psychologists include:
- School Psychologists
- Neuropsychologists
- Clinical Neuropsychologists
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Mental Health Counselors
Also Known As
Applied Behavior Science Specialist (ABSS), Assessment Coordinator, Behavior Analyst, Behavior Specialist, Behavior Therapist, Behavioral Analyst, Behavioral Health Specialist, Behavioral Psychologist, Behavioral Specialist, Behavioral Therapist, Case Manager, Chemical Dependency Therapist, Child Custody Evaluator, Child and Adolescent Therapist, Clinical Child Psychologist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-3033.00
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