School Psychologist Salary
School psychologists earn a national median salary of $84,940 per year. Explore salary breakdowns by state, experience, employer type, and education level.
Taylor Rupe
B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington — Seattle
Key Takeaways
- The national median salary for school psychologists is $84,940, with the top 10% earning over $131,470 per year (BLS, 2023).
- California, Colorado, and Oregon are the highest-paying states for school psychologists.
- A severe nationwide shortage of school psychologists is driving salary increases and signing bonuses in many districts.
- Most school psychologists work on a 10- or 11-month contract aligned with the school year, with the option for summer employment.
- Earning a specialist-level degree (EdS) or doctorate and obtaining the NCSP credential can boost salary by 10–20%.
School psychologists help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally by providing assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, and consultation with teachers and parents. They work primarily in K–12 schools, though some are employed by school district central offices, private schools, and university training clinics.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks school psychologist salaries under SOC code 19-3034. The National Association of School Psychologists reports that the field faces a significant shortage, with an estimated ratio of 1 school psychologist for every 1,127 students — well above the recommended 1:500 ratio — which is driving salary increases in many districts.
How Much Do School Psychologists Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, school psychologists earn a median annual wage of $84,940. The lowest 10% earn approximately $52,100, while the highest 10% earn over $131,470.
These figures represent base salaries and may not include summer employment, stipends for bilingual skills, or additional compensation for extended-year contracts. The BLS reports approximately 56,560 school psychologist positions nationwide, though NASP workforce data suggests thousands of unfilled positions exist across the country.
10th Percentile
$52,100
Median
$84,940
90th Percentile
$131,470
School Psychologist Salary by State
| State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $106,890 | 7,430 |
| Colorado | $104,810 | 1,590 |
| District of Columbia | $102,850 | 230 |
| Oregon | $101,660 | 1,120 |
| New Jersey | $99,780 | 3,210 |
| Connecticut | $97,540 | 1,490 |
| Massachusetts | $95,200 | 2,780 |
| New York | $93,470 | 5,960 |
| Washington | $91,680 | 2,040 |
| Maryland | $89,350 | 1,760 |
School Psychologist Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–2 years) | $55,000–$65,000 |
| Early Career (3–5 years) | $68,000–$80,000 |
| Mid-Career (6–12 years) | $82,000–$100,000 |
| Senior (13+ years) | $100,000–$132,000 |
School Psychologist Salary by Employer Type
| Employer Type | Salary |
|---|---|
| Public School Districts (large/urban) | $80,000–$120,000 |
| Public School Districts (small/rural) | $60,000–$80,000 |
| Private Schools | $65,000–$90,000 |
| District Central Offices / Administration | $95,000–$130,000+ |
School Psychologist Salary by Education Level
| Education Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree (where accepted for licensure) | $55,000–$70,000 |
| Education Specialist (EdS) Degree | $75,000–$95,000 |
| Doctoral Degree (PhD/PsyD/EdD) | $90,000–$132,000 |
| EdS/Doctorate + NCSP Credential | $85,000–$132,000+ |
How to Increase Your School Psychologist Salary
School psychologist salaries are often tied to district salary schedules, but there are several strategies to maximize your earnings. The National Association of School Psychologists notes that the current workforce shortage gives qualified candidates significant negotiating power in many regions.
- Earn the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential — many districts offer salary stipends of $2,000–$5,000 for this certification.
- Pursue a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) to qualify for higher placement on district salary schedules and open doors to administrative roles.
- Develop bilingual assessment skills — districts with large English Language Learner populations often pay $3,000–$8,000 stipends for bilingual school psychologists.
- Consider relocating to higher-paying states or districts. California school psychologists earn $106,890 median — nearly $22,000 more than the national median.
- Negotiate extended-year contracts (12-month instead of 10-month) or take on summer assessment work to increase your annual income by 15–20%.
Related Pages
How to Become a School Psychologist
Education, certification, and licensure requirements for entering the field.
Child Psychologist Salary
Compare school psychologist pay with the closely related child psychology specialty.
Best Online Psychology Programs
Graduate programs that can lead to a career in school psychology.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on the median salary of $84,940 and a typical 10-month contract, school psychologists earn approximately $49 per hour. Those on 12-month contracts earn roughly $40.84 per hour. Many school psychologists also have the option to do private assessment work during the summer, which can pay $100–$200+ per evaluation hour.
Yes. School psychologists earn a median of $84,940, compared to approximately $61,710 for school counselors (BLS, 2023). The difference reflects the additional specialized training in psychoeducational assessment and the higher degree requirements (specialist-level vs. master's-level) for school psychologists.
California pays the highest median salary at $106,890, followed by Colorado ($104,810) and the District of Columbia ($102,850). However, cost of living varies dramatically — a school psychologist earning $90,000 in a midwestern state may have more purchasing power than one earning $107,000 in California.
Yes. NASP reports a significant nationwide shortage with approximately 1 school psychologist per 1,127 students, more than double the recommended ratio of 1:500. This shortage is driving up salaries, producing signing bonuses, and creating loan forgiveness opportunities in many districts, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Most school psychologists work 10- or 11-month contracts aligned with the school year. During the summer, they can take on extended school year (ESY) assessment work, provide private psychoeducational evaluations, consult with clinics, or teach graduate courses for additional income. Some districts offer optional 12-month contracts with correspondingly higher annual pay.
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