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.
School Psychologists
SOC: 19-3034 O*NET: 19-3034.00
Median Salary
$86,930
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a School Psychologists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$60,880
10th percentile
Early Career
$73,240
25th percentile
Median
$86,930
50th percentile
Experienced
$108,210
75th percentile
Top Earners
$132,320
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$60,880
25th
$73,240
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$86,930
Mean: $93,610
75th
$108,210
90th
$132,320
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $71,440 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $73,240 and $108,210
- •Salary spread is 40.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 63,830 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:67,200
Top Industries
Educational Services8.7%
Elementary and Secondary Schools4.4%
Educational Support Services3.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.7%
Annual Openings:3,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)67,200
Current
2034 (Projected)67,700
+0.7%
+500
Employment Change
+0.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where School Psychologists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
9,350 jobs$118,3101.25x
New York
7,250 jobs$99,3101.84x
Texas
5,140 jobs$78,1500.90x
Illinois
3,440 jobs$80,2201.37x
Massachusetts
2,730 jobs$98,1501.81x
Pennsylvania
2,240 jobs$86,0500.90x
Ohio
2,110 jobs$86,9300.92x
North Carolina
2,100 jobs$70,0901.03x
New Jersey
2,090 jobs$90,9001.19x
Maryland
2,010 jobs$108,7101.77x
Florida
1,960 jobs$82,7100.48x
Georgia
1,670 jobs$96,8100.83x
Michigan
1,510 jobs$76,9800.83x
Colorado
1,370 jobs$111,0601.15x
Washington
1,290 jobs$106,4400.88x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Service Orientation
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Physician Assistants100%
5 shared skills
Child, Family, and School Social Workers100%
5 shared skills
Dietitians and Nutritionists100%
5 shared skills
Emergency Medicine Physicians100%
5 shared skills
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants100%
5 shared skills
Paralegals and Legal Assistants100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Critical Thinking
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for School Psychologists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechZoom
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Zoom
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (3)General Responsibilities (6)Training & Development (1)Planning & Development (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (2)
1
Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Provide consultation to parents, teachers, administrators, and others on topics such as learning styles and behavior modification techniques.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development88% perform92%
6
Promote an understanding of child development and its relationship to learning and behavior.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Counsel children and families to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Develop individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from School Psychologists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
School Psychologists professionals typically have a SIC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a School Psychologists
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.84
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.83
Persistence
CriticalPersistence
Importance Level4.72
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.72
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.72
Social Orientation
CriticalSocial Orientation
Importance Level4.60
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Persistence
4.7
Cooperation
4.7
Self-Control
4.7
Social Orientation
4.6
Concern for Others
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.6
Initiative
4.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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