School psychologists salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Mean (average) | $99,160 | $47.67 |
| 90th percentile | $142,330 | $68.43 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
School psychologists pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 52 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $75,060 | $68,710 | $104,720 | 370 | 0.43 |
| Alaska | $94,460 | $67,140 | $104,160 | 120 | 0.92 |
| Arizona | $92,380 | $66,920 | $121,700 | 1,100 | 0.83 |
| Arkansas | $64,030 | $31,770 | $81,110 | 440 | 0.82 |
| California | $127,780 | $97,200 | $160,170 | 8,340 | 1.11 |
| Colorado | $124,770 | $88,090 | $161,570 | 1,380 | 1.17 |
| Connecticut | $100,600 | $68,350 | $126,170 | 1,140 | 1.64 |
| Delaware | $95,990 | $68,270 | $124,830 | 280 | 1.41 |
| District of Columbia | $107,500 | $83,470 | $164,380 | 250 | 0.87 |
| Florida | $84,760 | $62,320 | $107,540 | 2,020 | 0.49 |
| Georgia | $99,110 | $61,980 | $132,740 | 1,650 | 0.82 |
| Hawaii | $82,110 | $77,190 | $92,750 | 90 | 0.33 |
| Idaho | $71,700 | $51,630 | $101,040 | 310 | 0.89 |
| Illinois | $84,690 | $62,620 | $127,640 | 3,590 | 1.43 |
| Indiana | $77,640 | $56,260 | $105,290 | 710 | 0.54 |
| Iowa | $74,410 | $45,130 | $99,720 | 400 | 0.62 |
| Kansas | $73,020 | $60,620 | $95,810 | 630 | 1.07 |
| Kentucky | $75,370 | $61,550 | $113,760 | 590 | 0.72 |
| Louisiana | $69,020 | $58,260 | $100,940 | 670 | 0.84 |
| Maine | $81,650 | $66,960 | $118,450 | 120 | 0.46 |
| Maryland | $109,700 | $64,360 | $138,250 | 1,520 | 1.34 |
| Massachusetts | $98,670 | $65,990 | $135,280 | 3,300 | 2.21 |
| Michigan | $83,960 | $57,480 | $118,560 | 1,480 | 0.82 |
| Minnesota | $85,190 | $61,530 | $113,330 | 1,060 | 0.88 |
| Mississippi | $61,070 | $46,470 | $78,180 | ||
| Missouri | $70,290 | $57,290 | $100,410 | 520 | 0.43 |
| Montana | $80,010 | $59,520 | $101,380 | 170 | 0.79 |
| Nebraska | $88,980 | $66,420 | $125,050 | 440 | 1.04 |
| Nevada | $93,680 | $72,250 | $136,160 | 290 | 0.46 |
| New Hampshire | $73,490 | $38,680 | $98,850 | 360 | 1.29 |
| New Jersey | $95,160 | $72,700 | $127,910 | 2,130 | 1.21 |
| New Mexico | $110,360 | $83,980 | $165,830 | 630 | 1.76 |
| New York | $106,550 | $67,160 | $148,790 | 9,070 | 2.28 |
| North Carolina | $73,220 | $58,510 | $91,970 | 1,540 | 0.76 |
| North Dakota | $68,960 | $52,690 | $84,660 | 90 | 0.49 |
| Ohio | $91,010 | $61,100 | $122,660 | 2,050 | 0.9 |
| Oklahoma | $64,930 | $39,080 | $104,190 | 510 | 0.73 |
| Oregon | $106,070 | $83,710 | $146,320 | 570 | 0.71 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,190 | $62,550 | $118,440 | 2,600 | 1.04 |
| Puerto Rico | $97,210 | $86,030 | $97,740 | 810 | 2.11 |
| Rhode Island | $94,900 | $59,640 | $107,360 | 210 | 1.03 |
| South Carolina | $76,720 | $52,340 | $104,450 | 720 | 0.76 |
| South Dakota | $78,370 | $65,930 | $127,310 | 110 | 0.56 |
| Tennessee | $76,850 | $53,290 | $102,400 | 900 | 0.66 |
| Texas | $83,690 | $67,650 | $116,180 | 4,250 | 0.74 |
| Utah | $77,820 | $60,400 | $109,980 | 490 | 0.69 |
| Vermont | $82,820 | $61,940 | $105,920 | 180 | 1.41 |
| Virginia | $85,670 | $63,130 | $132,800 | 1,200 | 0.71 |
| Washington | $108,780 | $82,600 | $139,110 | 1,420 | 0.97 |
| West Virginia | $75,220 | $58,690 | $99,610 | 250 | 0.88 |
| Wisconsin | $83,330 | $60,660 | $129,380 | 1,180 | 0.97 |
| Wyoming | $83,740 | $60,500 | $111,690 | 120 | 1.08 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for school psychologists
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 3,400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 0.3%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for school psychologists
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- School Psychology CIP 42.2805
- Educational Psychology CIP 42.2806
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical 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.
- Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Zoom (hot technology)
- Centris Group IEP Direct
- Centris Group RTIm Direct
- Chalkware Education Solutions IEPPro
- Email software
- Ewing Solutions QuickWriter
- Global Education Technologies EXCENT
- Google Meet
- Instructional software
- MediaNet Solutions e-IEP PRO
- Oasys structural design and analysis software
- PowerSchool Group PowerSchool SIS
Transferable skills for career changers: Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Service Orientation, Coordination, Persuasion.
Common job titles: Autism Consultant, Bilingual School Psychologist, Challenging Behavior Consultant, Early Intervention School Psychologist, Educational Diagnostician, School Neuropsychologist, School Psychometrist.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do school psychologists make?
The national median annual wage for school psychologists was $95,990 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $63,070 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $142,330. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do school psychologists need?
BLS lists master's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and internship/residency on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is school psychologists a growing career?
BLS projects employment of school psychologists to change +0.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 3,400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay school psychologists the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were California ($127,780), Colorado ($124,770), New Mexico ($110,360). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.