Salary Report for California Psychology Teachers

  • The number of Psychology Teachers currently employed in California is 3,630.
  • Psychology Teachers in California earn an average of $114,950 per year or $55.26 per hour.
  • The percentage of U.S. Psychology Teachers who work in California is 10%.
  • California will need 4,200 new Psychology Teachers by 2030 or 410 new psychologists per year.

California Rankings

  • California ranks #1 in the U.S. for Psychology Teachers salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • California ranks #2 in the U.S. for the total number of Psychology Teachers employed.
  • California ranks #2 in U.S. for the number of new Psychology Teachers needed by 2030.
  • California ranks #37 in U.S. for the percentage of new Psychology Teachers needed by 2030.

Compare California to U.S.

California Psychology Teachers earn an average of $114,950 which is 30% more than the national average salary of $88,390.

TypeCaliforniaU.S.% Difference
Average Hourly Wage$55.26$42.5030.05%
Average Annual Salary$114,950$88,39030.05%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Range by Education and Experience

In California, 50% of Psychology Teachers earn between $51,380 and $155,270 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Psychology Teachers earn more than $0, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Psychology Teachers.

Approximately 10% of Psychology Teachers earn under $38,030, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Psychology Teachers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year363Under $38,030
15%2 – 4 years544$38,030 – $51,380
25%5 – 9 years908$51,380 – $102,210
25%10 – 14 years908$102,210 – $155,270
15%15 – 20 years544$102,210 – $0
10%20+ years363Above $0
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Psychology Teachers in California psychologists earn about $104,140 per year which is more than the average U.S. psychologist of $88,390.

Cost-of-living in California is 10% higher than the national average, which means California residents have an overall higher cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to other states.

  • National average salary for Psychology Teachers is $88,390.
  • Average California Psychology Teachers salary is $114,950.
  • Adjusted for cost-of-living, California Psychology Teachers earn an average salary of $104,140.

More cost-of-living reports for U.S. States.

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $114,950, California Psychology Teachers tend to earn less than Industrial Organizational Psychologists ($123,090), and Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($122,790).

However, Psychology Teachers tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($59,320), Substance Abuse Counselors ($59,790), Social Workers ($64,940), Health Care Social Workers ($84,690), School Psychologists ($96,530), and Forensic Psychologists ($112,210).

TitleAnnual Salary
Industrial Organizational Psychologists$123,090
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$122,790
Psychology Teachers$114,950
Forensic Psychologists$112,210
School Psychologists$96,530
Health Care Social Workers$84,690
Social Workers$64,940
Substance Abuse Counselors$59,790
Marriage and Family Therapists$59,320
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Projected Demand for Psychologists in 2030

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that in California the three professions needing the most new psychologists by 2030 are Social Workers (51,800), Substance Abuse Counselors (43,500) and Marriage and Family Therapists (32,700).

The three professions in California needing highest percentage new psychologists by 2030 are Substance Abuse Counselors (17.3%), Health Care Social Workers (12.2%) and Marriage and Family Therapists (10.5%).

Title20202030ChangeYearly Openings
Social Workers47,20051,8009.7%4,970
Substance Abuse Counselors37,10043,50017.3%4,330
Marriage and Family Therapists29,60032,70010.5%3,170
Health Care Social Workers13,10014,70012.2%1,440
Forensic Psychologists5,5005,5000%360
Psychology Teachers3,9004,2007.7%410
Industrial Organizational Psychologists1,8001,9005.6%120
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, 2022*

Salaries Ranked by California Cities

The average salary for Psychology Teachers in California is $114,950. The top cities that pay Psychology Teachers the most are Fresno ($81,940), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim ($141,130) and San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward ($115,150).

When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Psychology Teachers the highest average annual salary are San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward ($98,109), San Diego-Carlsbad ($97,372) and Fresno ($82,071).

The following table shows the average yearly salary range for Psychology Teachers in each city, and the average yearly salary after being adjusted for cost-of-living in that state.

The difference column shows how much more or less purchasing power a Psychology Teachers salary will have in that area.

AreaAverage SalaryCOL AdjustedDifference
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim$141,130$126,133$-14,997
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward$115,150$98,109$-17,041
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$112,060$108,051$-4,009
Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade$110,970$104,590$-6,380
San Diego-Carlsbad$110,410$97,372$-13,038
Fresno$81,940$82,071$131
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary FAQ for California Psychology Teachers

California Psychology Teachers earn between $38,030 and $0 a year depending on their level of education, experience and skill.

There are currently 3,630 Psychology Teachers employed in California which is about 10% of the U.S. total.

Industrial Organizational Psychologists are the highest paid psychologists in California with an average annual wage of $123,090.

An entry level psychologist makes as much as $38,030 a year in California

The most Psychology Teachers work in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area where 1,130 Psychology Teachers are employed.

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Psychology Teachers in California earn 104,140 per year, while the average across the United States earns $88,390.

By 2030, California will need 4,200 Psychology Teachers. A total of 410 Psychology Teachers will need to enter into the California work forces each year.

City and Rural Summaries

Fresno

Average Psychology Teachers Salary: $81,940
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $82,071
Hourly Wage: $39.39
Currently Employed: 210
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.84
Fresno Salary Report

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim

Average Psychology Teachers Salary: $141,130
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $126,133
Hourly Wage: $68
Currently Employed: 1,130
Cost-of-Living Index: 111.89
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Salary Report

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

Average Psychology Teachers Salary: $112,060
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $108,051
Hourly Wage: $53.88
Currently Employed: 230
Cost-of-Living Index: 103.71
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Salary Report

Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade

Average Psychology Teachers Salary: $110,970
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $104,590
Hourly Wage: $53
Currently Employed: 140
Cost-of-Living Index: 106.10
Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade Salary Report

San Diego-Carlsbad

Average Psychology Teachers Salary: $110,410
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $97,372
Hourly Wage: $53.08
Currently Employed: 390
Cost-of-Living Index: 113.39
San Diego-Carlsbad Salary Report

San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward

Average Psychology Teachers Salary: $115,150
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $98,109
Hourly Wage: $55
Currently Employed: 450
Cost-of-Living Index: 117.37
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward Salary Report

Official Data Sources for Psychology Teachers: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data