Coach & Scout
Median wage · national
$47,320
Range: $35K – $65K
Employed
249K
Openings/yr
42K
Typically: bachelor's degree
School Psychologist
School Psychologist earn $95,990 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $77,470 and $120,310. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About School Psychologist
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.
- Median Wage
- $95,990
- Employed Nationally
- 64K
- Openings / Year
- 3,800
- Entry Education
- Master's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Area School Psychologist
Assessment Specialist
Autism Consultant
Behavior Specialist
Behavioral Analyst
How Much Do School Psychologists Make?
School Psychologist earn $95,990 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,470 and $120,310. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$95,990
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$77K–$120K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$77,470
Entry-level
$95,990
Median
$120,310
Experienced
What Do School Psychologists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for School Psychologist roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
- Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
- Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
- Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
- Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Monitoring
Social Perceptiveness
Who Thrives Here
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do School Psychologists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for School Psychologists?
The BLS projects +0.7% employment change for School Psychologist through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 3,800 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +0.7%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Slower than average.
3,800
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
64K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most School Psychologist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $95,990 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 9,350 | $118,310 | +23.3% |
| 2 | New York | 7,250 | $99,310 | +3.5% |
| 3 | Texas | 5,140 | $78,150 | -18.6% |
| 4 | Illinois | 3,440 | $80,220 | -16.4% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 2,730 | $98,150 | +2.3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most School Psychologist positions require a master's degree to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Master's degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Counseling Psychology | 39,326 | $50,523 | 799 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring School Psychologists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 4 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 5 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
| 6 | Rice University Houston, TX | 91 | $13,370 | $89,718 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up School Psychologist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to School Psychologist pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
School Psychologist Pros & Cons
The data on School Psychologist shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $95,990 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $120,310 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Slow job growth At +0.7% projected growth, this career lags the national average. Limited expansion means stiffer competition for openings that do appear.
- High education requirement Most employers require a master's degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.
School Psychologist Frequently Asked Questions
How much do School Psychologist professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for School Psychologist is $95,990, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,470 and $120,310. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is School Psychologist a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $95,990 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Research salary outcomes at specific programs, not just the national median, before committing to a graduate path.
How long does it take to become a School Psychologist?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A master's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Counseling Psychology are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $95,990 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a master's degree worth it to become a School Psychologist?
For in-state public programs, generally yes. The margin tightens significantly at private schools with heavy debt loads. A $95,990 median may take 15 to 20 years to recover at high-cost programs. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for School Psychologist?
The BLS projects +0.7% employment change for School Psychologist through 2034, slower than average compared to all occupations. About 3,800 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 64K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do School Psychologist professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for School Psychologist roles: Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Monitoring, and Social Perceptiveness. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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