Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Forensic Psychologists currently employed in San Diego-Carlsbad is 280.
  • Forensic Psychologists in San Diego-Carlsbad earn an average of $105,610 per year or $50.77 per hour.
  • The percentage of California Forensic Psychologists who work in San Diego-Carlsbad is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Forensic Psychologists who work in San Diego-Carlsbad is 2%.

Rankings for San Diego-Carlsbad

  • Ranks #4 in California for salary and #2 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #2 in California for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #12 in the nation for salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #8 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to California

San Diego-Carlsbad Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $105,610 or $50.77 per hour which is 5% less than the California average salary of $112,210.

AverageSan Diego-CarlsbadCalifornia% Difference
Hourly Wage$50.77$53.95-5.89%
Annual Salary$105,610$112,210-5.88%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

San Diego-Carlsbad Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $105,610 or $50.77 per hour which is 7% more than the U.S. average salary of $98,010.

AverageSan Diego-CarlsbadU.S.%
Hourly Wage$50.77$47.127.75%
Annual Salary$105,610$98,0107.75%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Forensic Psychologists in San Diego-Carlsbad earns an average annual salary of $93,139 which compares to the California average annual salary of $112,210. per year.

Cost-of-living in San Diego-Carlsbad is 13% higher than the California average, which means San Diego-Carlsbad residents have an overall higher cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to California average.

  • California average salary is $112,210.
  • California cost-of-living adjusted salary is $101,658.
  • San Diego-Carlsbad average salary is $105,610.
  • San Diego-Carlsbad cost-of-living adjusted salary is $93,139.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
San Diego-Carlsbad$105,610113.39%$93,139
California$112,210110.38%$101,658
U.S.$98,010$98,010
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In San Diego-Carlsbad, 50% of Forensic Psychologists earn between $86,720 and $127,170 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Forensic Psychologists earn more than $134,060, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Forensic Psychologists.

Approximately 10% of Forensic Psychologists earn under $51,850, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Forensic Psychologists.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year28Under $51,850
15%2 – 4 years42$51,850 – $86,720
25%5 – 9 years70$86,720 – $113,420
25%10 – 14 years70$113,420 – $127,170
15%15 – 20 years42$113,420 – $134,060
10%20+ years28Above $134,060
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $105,610, San Diego-Carlsbad Forensic Psychologists tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($136,630), and Psychology Teachers ($110,410).

However, Forensic Psychologists tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($52,340), Substance Abuse Counselors ($53,090), Social Workers ($59,790), Health Care Social Workers ($76,400), and School Psychologists ($97,320).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$136,630
Psychology Teachers$110,410
Forensic Psychologists$105,610
School Psychologists$97,320
Health Care Social Workers$76,400
Social Workers$59,790
Substance Abuse Counselors$53,090
Marriage and Family Therapists$52,340
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for San Diego-Carlsbad Forensic Psychologists

The number of Forensic Psychologists currently employed in San Diego-Carlsbad is 280.

Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $105,610 per year or $50.77 per hour in San Diego-Carlsbad.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in San Diego-Carlsbad Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $93,139 per year or $45 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in San Diego-Carlsbad are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($136,630), Psychology Teachers($110,410), Forensic Psychologists($105,610).


Additional Salary Reports for Forensic Psychologists in California cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Forensic Psychologists: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data