School Counselor
Help students succeed academically, socially and in planning their futures.
- $64,330
- Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s
Education & Childcare career
School Psychologist
Also called: Educational Psychologist · School Psych · Licensed Specialist in School Psychology · Child Study Team Psychologist
What school psychologists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a school psychologist do?
School psychologists assess students’ learning and behavior, help plan special education services, and support mental health in schools. The median pay is $95,990 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +0.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$95,990$46.15/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+0.8%2025–35, little or no change
- Openings per year3,400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationMaster's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train3 years after a bachelor’sTypical program length
- U.S. jobs64,000Employment, 2025
What school psychologists do
School psychologists help students succeed. They test students for learning disabilities and other needs, help write IEPs, design behavior plans, counsel students, respond to crises and consult with teachers and parents. They work across several schools in many districts.
Most have a specialist degree (Ed.S.) or a doctorate in school psychology, a year-long internship and a state credential. Many earn the NCSP.
Typical duties
- Assess students for special education
- Write psychological reports
- Take part in IEP meetings
- Design behavior plans
- Counsel students
- Consult with teachers and parents
- Respond to crises
Work environment and schedule
School psychologists work in schools, often traveling between several buildings.
Schedule: School-year schedule with summers often off.
A day in the life
- Give a cognitive test to a third grader.
- Score and interpret results.
- Observe a student in class.
- Lead a social skills group.
See a full day in the life of a school psychologist →
School Psychologist salary
Half of school psychologists earned more than $95,990 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $63,070 for the lowest 10% to $142,330 for the top 10%.
Full school psychologist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a school psychologist
- Earn a bachelor’s in psychology
- Enter a school psychology program
- Complete practicum
- Complete a year-long internship
- Get credentialed
A specialist-level degree (Ed.S.) or doctorate in school psychology plus a supervised internship is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a school psychologist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Psychological assessment
- Special education law
- Behavior analysis
- Counseling
- Report writing
People skills
- Empathy
- Communication
- Objectivity
- Collaboration
All school psychologist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Help kids directly
- School calendar
- Strong demand in many states
- Varied work
Cons
- Heavy caseloads
- Lots of report writing
- Legal deadlines
- Emotionally hard cases
Certifications and licenses
- State school psychologist credential: Required to practice in schools.
- NCSP: Nationally Certified School Psychologist.
- Crisis prevention training: PREPaRE or similar.
- BCBA: Optional behavior credential.
Career path
- Intern: Supervised year.
- School Psychologist: Caseload.
- Lead Psychologist: Mentor others.
- Special Education Director: Lead programs.
Learn the job before day one
Our School Psychologist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as write a psychoeducational report parents understand and complete a functional behavior assessment, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: School Psychologist vs. School Counselor · School Psychologist vs. Special Ed Teacher · School Psychologist vs. Family Therapist · School Psychologist vs. Psychology Professor
School Psychologist FAQ
Is a school psychologist the same as a school counselor?
No. School psychologists focus on testing, special education and behavior; counselors focus on academics, careers and guidance.
Do school psychologists need a doctorate?
Not usually. Most states accept a specialist-level degree.
Do they work summers?
Usually not, though some do extended-year work.
How much does a school psychologist make?
The median annual wage for school psychologists was $95,990 ($46.15 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $63,070 and the highest 10% earned more than $142,330.
How long does it take to become a school psychologist?
Most people need about 3 years after a bachelor’s of training. A specialist-level degree (Ed.S.) or doctorate in school psychology plus a supervised internship is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a school psychologist?
Yes. BLS lists a master’s degree as typical, and most states require a specialist-level program (about 60 graduate credits) with a 1,200-hour internship, or a doctorate.
More school psychologist questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 19-3034 (School psychologists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for School psychologists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.