Contents
School Psychologist Salary
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $18.49 | $24.27 | $32.53 | $42.27 | $52.57 |
| Annual Wage | $38,500 | $50,500 | $67,700 | $87,900 | $109,300 |
How much does a school psychologist make? School psychologists work in educational settings providing psychological and assessment services to students in order to promote a healthy school environment. They also identify problems in schools that potentially interfere with learning and collaborate with other school professionals to develop strategies to improve the educational experience for students. School psychologists may also educate students about problem solving techniques and proper ways to communicate and evaluate students for eligibility in special education programs. The education needed to become a school psychologist requires at least a master’s degree in psychology. Many employers prefer that school psychologists hold a PhD in the subject which requires an additional 2-4 years of schooling.
Salary
In 2012, the median salary for school psychologists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics was $67,650. The median annual salary is the amount that half of those in the field make less than and half of those in the field make more than.
Factors Impacting Salary
Where a school psychologist is employed can affect his or her salary. Typically, those working in larger school districts tend to earn more than those in smaller districts. Obtaining a PhD in psychology can further increase earning potential. In addition, school psychologists who have been in the field for several years will often earn more than those who have only been employed in the occupation for a short amount of time.
Geographical Location and Salary
The cities in the United States where school psychologists earn the most money are Allentown, PA and San Luis Obispo, CA. Some of the top paying states for school psychologists are Hawaii, Rhode Island, California, Colorado, and New York.
Work Environment and Schedule
School psychologists can find employment in a variety of school settings including public and private schools and colleges and universities. Most work full time and during regular, Monday through Friday business hours. Those employed in schools enjoy lengthy summer and holiday breaks when school is not in session.
Job Outlook
The employment growth rate for school psychologists is average. From 2012 until 2022, jobs in the field are expected to increase by 11 percent. The demand for school psychologists will increase due to the need for more trained professionals in the field to work with special needs students and those dealing with behavioral issues. School psychologists will also be needed to assess the various factors that affect how students learn.
Top Paying Industries
| Industry | Employment | % of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean salary |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 400 | 0.06 | $44.23 | $91,990 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | 680 | 0.28 | $41.38 | $86,070 |
| Employment Services | 480 | 0.01 | $39.37 | $81,890 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 4,730 | 0.09 | $38.78 | $80,660 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 13,350 | 1.80 | $38.75 | $80,600 |
Salary By State
| State | 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | 90% | Jobs (2010) | Jobs (2020) | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,100 | $47,200 | $59,900 | $84,000 | $171,700 | 950 | 1,170 | +24% |
| Alaska | $38,800 | $48,800 | $61,600 | $77,300 | $93,300 | 120 | 140 | +16% |
| Arizona | $38,400 | $45,700 | $57,400 | $71,800 | $88,000 | 2,330 | 2,800 | +20% |
| Arkansas | $38,500 | $45,900 | $57,700 | $70,600 | $86,400 | 690 | 790 | +13% |
| California | $37,800 | $56,200 | $80,500 | $98,500 | $113,800 | 24,600 | 28,100 | +14% |
| Colorado | $36,100 | $46,900 | $71,000 | $94,800 | $117,100 | 3,730 | 4,460 | +20% |
| Connecticut | $46,600 | $57,800 | $75,900 | $92,800 | $114,300 | 2,980 | 3,440 | +16% |
| Delaware | $29,600 | $44,900 | $71,500 | $87,200 | $122,900 | 450 | 550 | +22% |
| District of Columbia | $36,800 | $56,000 | $74,900 | $93,100 | $112,600 | 700 | 840 | +19% |
| Florida | $42,700 | $52,600 | $65,800 | $80,300 | $96,600 | 3,900 | 4,540 | +16% |
| Georgia | $34,700 | $50,500 | $63,900 | $74,800 | $91,100 | 2,760 | 3,290 | +20% |
| Hawaii | $40,500 | $54,300 | $72,600 | $99,100 | $179,600 | 850 | 1,020 | +19% |
| Idaho | $28,900 | $41,000 | $52,700 | $67,800 | $89,900 | 1,050 | 1,260 | +20% |
| Illinois | $35,800 | $48,600 | $66,400 | $85,100 | $98,600 | 5,990 | 6,880 | +15% |
| Iowa | $41,700 | $48,400 | $63,100 | $79,600 | $106,700 | 1,350 | 1,570 | +16% |
| Kansas | $32,500 | $41,900 | $52,500 | $64,900 | $81,300 | 1,940 | 2,450 | +26% |
| Kentucky | $31,500 | $40,900 | $51,400 | $62,600 | $78,600 | 1,610 | 2,070 | +29% |
| Louisiana | $37,600 | $49,300 | $64,500 | $90,000 | $111,600 | 370 | 420 | +16% |
| Maine | $31,000 | $45,100 | $58,800 | $74,700 | $116,800 | 520 | 590 | +13% |
| Maryland | $38,500 | $44,600 | $66,900 | $86,800 | $108,400 | 3,340 | 4,160 | +25% |
| Massachusetts | $44,000 | $56,500 | $73,600 | $93,600 | $114,300 | 6,250 | 7,350 | +18% |
| Michigan | $37,000 | $47,700 | $66,100 | $80,500 | $109,800 | 3,360 | 3,710 | +10% |
| Minnesota | $38,500 | $48,200 | $61,500 | $78,800 | $94,400 | 3,450 | 4,290 | +24% |
| Mississippi | $32,100 | $38,000 | $46,000 | $56,700 | $69,500 | 1,240 | 1,330 | +8% |
| Missouri | $33,600 | $47,100 | $63,400 | $81,600 | $95,800 | 2,260 | 2,490 | +10% |
| Montana | $30,800 | $39,200 | $51,800 | $69,600 | $125,500 | 720 | 820 | +14% |
| Nebraska | $38,000 | $50,300 | $62,700 | $75,500 | $99,400 | 900 | 1,040 | +15% |
| Nevada | $40,600 | $52,000 | $66,900 | $79,800 | $94,900 | 660 | 730 | +12% |
| New Hampshire | $41,900 | $53,600 | $64,800 | $74,500 | $91,900 | 690 | 790 | +15% |
| New Jersey | $54,700 | $65,200 | $78,000 | $95,000 | $115,500 | 4,970 | 5,380 | +8% |
| New Mexico | $42,200 | $53,400 | $66,400 | $82,100 | $93,800 | 3,250 | 3,900 | +20% |
| New York | $45,700 | $61,600 | $80,800 | $98,600 | $121,700 | 13,920 | 15,600 | +12% |
| North Carolina | $41,700 | $48,500 | $57,800 | $73,700 | $93,400 | 3,910 | 4,560 | +17% |
| North Dakota | $43,400 | $52,700 | $65,200 | $78,700 | $95,000 | – | – | – |
| Ohio | $43,700 | $56,300 | $71,700 | $88,000 | $100,200 | 4,130 | 4,540 | +10% |
| Oklahoma | $19,600 | $38,400 | $48,300 | $60,300 | $83,200 | 1,190 | 1,450 | +21% |
| Oregon | $37,200 | $51,300 | $69,000 | $86,300 | $104,600 | 1,110 | 1,350 | 0% |
| Pennsylvania | $37,900 | $49,500 | $65,000 | $87,400 | $118,900 | 6,720 | 7,210 | +7% |
| Rhode Island | $57,900 | $68,900 | $82,900 | $95,400 | $139,800 | 820 | 940 | +15% |
| South Carolina | $22,200 | $40,000 | $53,700 | $66,900 | $82,400 | 1,360 | 1,620 | +19% |
| South Dakota | $50,000 | $55,600 | $65,700 | $78,000 | $101,900 | 230 | 270 | +14% |
| Tennessee | $42,300 | $51,000 | $60,200 | $73,500 | $92,500 | 1,820 | 2,120 | +17% |
| Texas | $34,800 | $47,100 | $57,300 | $71,400 | $90,900 | 9,250 | 11,440 | +24% |
| Utah | $23,500 | $43,300 | $57,000 | $73,400 | $93,400 | 1,200 | 1,600 | +34% |
| Vermont | $34,200 | $40,400 | $51,400 | $67,500 | $85,300 | 700 | 820 | +18% |
| Virginia | $34,200 | $45,800 | $63,300 | $80,300 | $106,900 | 3,450 | 4,380 | +27% |
| Washington | $49,700 | $57,500 | $68,500 | $82,400 | $98,900 | 3,320 | 3,900 | +18% |
| West Virginia | $25,300 | $34,200 | $48,000 | $64,800 | $75,900 | 970 | 1,090 | +12% |
| Wisconsin | $33,800 | $48,900 | $65,000 | $82,500 | $105,600 | 3,520 | 3,860 | +10% |
| Wyoming | $41,800 | $54,700 | $68,800 | $83,100 | $100,500 | 280 | 360 | +26% |
