School Psychologist
Salary, job outlook, education and requirements
Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.
Also called: Autism Consultant · Bilingual School Psychologist · Challenging Behavior Consultant · Early Intervention School Psychologist · Educational Diagnostician · School Neuropsychologist · School Psychometrist
O*NET-SOC 19-3034.00 (School Psychologists)
School Psychologist salary
Wages for school psychologists across all employers, 2025 data. The 10th percentile is typical entry-level pay; the 90th percentile reflects the most experienced and highest-paid workers.
National median hourly wage: $46.15.
School Psychologist pay by state
Ten largest states by population, annual wages.
| State | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $97,200 | $127,780 | $160,170 |
| Texas | $67,650 | $83,690 | $116,180 |
| Florida | $62,320 | $84,760 | $107,540 |
| New York | $67,160 | $106,550 | $148,790 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,550 | $82,190 | $118,440 |
| Illinois | $62,620 | $84,690 | $127,640 |
| Ohio | $61,100 | $91,010 | $122,660 |
| Georgia | $61,980 | $99,110 | $132,740 |
| North Carolina | $58,510 | $73,220 | $91,970 |
| Michigan | $57,480 | $83,960 | $118,560 |
School Psychologist job outlook
- Employment is projected to go from 64,000 jobs in 2025 to 64,500 in 2035 (1% change).
- About 3,400 openings are projected each year, including jobs that open up as workers retire or change occupations.
- CareerOneStop outlook rating: Below Average.
How to become a school psychologist
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- No work experience
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
Education level of current workers
- Bachelor's degree8.9%
- Master's degree56.4%
- Doctoral or professional degree34.7%
Related training programs
- Educational Psychology
- School Psychology
What does a school psychologist do?
Common tasks
- Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
- Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
- Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
- Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
- Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.
- Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
- Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
- Initiate and direct efforts to foster tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in school communities.
- Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.
- Develop individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.
Most important skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading work-related information.
- Speaking
- Talking to others.
- Active Listening
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Understanding people's reactions.
- Writing
- Writing things for co-workers or customers.
- Critical Thinking
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
School Psychologist certifications
The certifications CareerOneStop maps to this occupation. Requirements vary by employer and state.
- American Board of Professional Psychology · Specialty
- National Association of School Psychologists · Advanced
- American Board of Professional Psychology · Specialty
School Psychologist jobs
Current federal openings from USAJOBS. For more psychology jobs, including private-sector listings, see the Psychology jobs hub.
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM.
Related careers
- Clinical Psychologist
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Child and Family Social Worker
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Neuropsychologists
- Mental Health Counselors
- Clinical Neuropsychologists
- Psychiatrist
More psychology careers
This page includes information from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Source: CareerOneStop occupation profile for School Psychologists. Wages are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program; projections are national long-term projections.