Salary Outlook for School Psychologists
School psychology is concerned with the practice and science of psychology as it affects children, youth, families, learners in all age groups, and the educational process. The training and education of school psychologists prepare them to offer psychological diagnoses, assessment, prevention, intervention, health promotion, and program development. There is a specific focus on the child’s developmental process and how it interacts with the school, family, and related systems. (APA.org)
A school psychologist is trained to intervene in the system and individual level to develop, implement, and evaluate programs that aid children in their schools and lives.
Over the past several decades, school psychology has evolved into a specialty of psychology with its fundamentals rooted in education and psychology. School psychologists possess advanced knowledge of developmental and social psychology. They also have a grasp of developmental psychopathology in the areas of active learning and instruction.
School psychologists engage in most of the following:
- Understand and use effective instructional processes
- Understand school and classroom environments
- Understand how schools and educational organizations operate
- Apply learning principles to the competence develop inside and outside school
- Assess the developmental needs of children in and out of school
- Work with educational, psychological and behavioral health services for the benefit of children in the school system
School Psychologist Salary Information
Professionals who are interested in being a school psychologist will need to earn a master’s degree or PhD in school counseling.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the median salary for psychologists in general is $92,740. The top 10% salaries for this profession start at $151,880. Psychologists at the top have many years of work experience and a doctorate in psychology.
The BLS also tracks national salary data specifically for school psychologists:
- Bottom 25% salary – $70,520 and below
- Median salary – $84,940
- Average salary – $91,990
- Top 25% salary – $107,400 and up
- Top 10% salary – $131,470 and up
The BLS reports the following average salaries for school psychologists according to sector:
- Childcare services – $142,500
- Offices of other health practitioners – $105,140
- Educational support services – $102,230
- Employment services – $94,140
- Elementary and secondary schools – $90,940
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools – $88,100
- Local government, excluding schools and hospitals – $90,010
The BLS also keeps statistics for state-specific salaries of school psychologists.
Average School Psychologist Salary by State
| Hourly Wage | Annual Salary | |
| Colorado | $53.71 | $111,720 |
| California | $52.80 | $109,830 |
| New Mexico | $51.41 | $106,940 |
| New York | $51.02 | $106,130 |
| Washington | $50.57 | $105,190 |
| Massachusetts | $50.09 | $104,180 |
| Alaska | $49.32 | $102,590 |
| Oregon | $49.00 | $101,920 |
| District of Columbia | $48.72 | $101,350 |
| Connecticut | $46.87 | $97,480 |
| Maryland | $46.26 | $96,210 |
| New Jersey | $45.22 | $94,060 |
| Ohio | $44.35 | $92,240 |
| Wyoming | $43.67 | $90,830 |
| Georgia | $43.08 | $89,610 |
| Nevada | $43.00 | $89,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $42.99 | $89,410 |
| Wisconsin | $41.26 | $85,820 |
| Rhode Island | $41.17 | $85,630 |
| Virginia | $40.96 | $85,200 |
| Arizona | $40.46 | $84,160 |
| Maine | $40.34 | $83,900 |
| Minnesota | $40.26 | $83,740 |
| Illinois | $39.93 | $83,060 |
| Delaware | $39.55 | $82,260 |
| New Hampshire | $39.41 | $81,960 |
| Nebraska | $39.13 | $81,390 |
| Michigan | $39.01 | $81,140 |
| South Dakota | $38.95 | $81,020 |
| Texas | $38.76 | $80,610 |
| Vermont | $38.00 | $79,040 |
| Indiana | $37.44 | $77,870 |
| Florida | $37.19 | $77,360 |
| Montana | $37.10 | $77,160 |
| South Carolina | $36.84 | $76,620 |
| Utah | $35.30 | $73,430 |
| Idaho | $35.13 | $73,070 |
| Kentucky | $34.85 | $72,480 |
| Tennessee | $33.82 | $70,340 |
| Kansas | $33.51 | $69,690 |
| West Virginia | $33.31 | $69,280 |
| North Dakota | $33.21 | $69,070 |
| North Carolina | $33.20 | $69,060 |
| Mississippi | $32.96 | $68,560 |
| Iowa | $32.81 | $68,250 |
| Oklahoma | $32.68 | $67,970 |
| Missouri | $32.61 | $67,830 |
| Alabama | $32.32 | $67,230 |
| Louisiana | $32.14 | $66,850 |
| Arkansas | $29.15 | $60,630 |
The BLS also tracks salary information for school and career counselors, who are related to the school psychology profession. The BLS states the median salary for school counselors is $61,710. The top 10% earn a salary that starts at $100,050. The highest average salaries for school counselors are in these areas:
- Offices of other health practitioners – $104,640
- Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities – $85,630
- Insurance and employee benefit funds – $84,900
- Federal, state, and local government, excluding schools and hospitals – $81,130
- Insurance carriers – $77,560
School Psychologist Job Outlook
According to the BLS, educational leaders say universities have been unable to graduate enough people to fill available school psychologist jobs. Job openings are growing because there is a large population of school-age children, and more schools recognize children with special needs require psychological help.
The BLS also reports there should be a 0.7% increase in school psychologist jobs between 2023 and 2033. There is much more awareness today of the connection between school performance and mental health. Also, there is more demand for mental health services in schools to boost academic achievement.
Projected increase rate of school psychologist jobs, 2022-2032
| Utah | 17.3% |
| Tennessee | 16.5% |
| Colorado | 15.9% |
| Texas | 14.1% |
| Florida | 13.5% |
| Massachusetts | 12.1% |
| Wyoming | 11.1% |
| Maryland | 11.0% |
| Ohio | 10.4% |
| North Dakota | 10.0% |
| North Carolina | 9.7% |
| South Carolina | 9.3% |
| Georgia | 9.2% |
| New Mexico | 7.4% |
| Delaware | 7.3% |
| Iowa | 7.1% |
| Vermont | 6.7% |
| District of Columbia | 6.5% |
| Oregon | 6.5% |
| California | 6.2% |
| Oklahoma | 5.8% |
| Montana | 5.3% |
| Connecticut | 5.2% |
| Nebraska | 5.2% |
| Wisconsin | 5.0% |
| Kansas | 4.7% |
| Arizona | 4.6% |
| New Jersey | 4.4% |
| Arkansas | 4.2% |
| Indiana | 4.2% |
| Nevada | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 3.8% |
| New Hampshire | 3.7% |
| Minnesota | 3.5% |
| Alabama | 3.2% |
| Louisiana | 2.9% |
| West Virginia | 2.8% |
| Illinois | 2.3% |
| Kentucky | 2.0% |
| Michigan | 0.9% |
| Alaska | 0.0% |
| Maine | 0.0% |
| Mississippi | 0.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 0.0% |
| Rhode Island | 0.0% |
| South Dakota | 0.0% |
The number of jobs for school counselors is forecast to increase by 4.5% between 2023 and 2033. An increase in student enrollment in some areas of the U.S. will lead to higher demand for counselors.
Summary
If you decide to earn a master’s degree or PhD in school psychology online, there will be increasing job demand and salary potential. With a doctoral degree and 10 years of experience, a school psychologist can consider the top 10% salary in this field, which starts at $131,470. You may earn more if you live in cities with higher demand, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, or New York City.
SEE ALSO: Top 10 Online PhD in Educational Psychology Programs
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary for Psychologists, School Psychologists, and Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. National labor market information and state labor market information also sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor. Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2025.