School Psychologists
Investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems, using knowledge of cognitive, social, and developmental psychology.
School Psychologists investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems, using knowledge of cognitive, social, and developmental psychology. The role reports a median annual salary of $86,930 in the US with the middle 80% earning between $51,200 and $137,590. Entry typically requires a Doctoral or professional degree, and shows low AI exposure (0.36 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension.
Salary distribution (US)
Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Law and Government
- Mathematics
A day in the life
Your morning might start by administering a cognitive assessment to a second grader referred for possible learning disabilities, carefully noting responses and behaviors during testing. By mid-morning you are sitting in a team meeting with parents, teachers, and special-education coordinators, interpreting assessment results and recommending whether the student qualifies for an IEP. Afternoons could include a crisis intervention with a middle schooler who is experiencing anxiety, a consultation with a teacher about behavioral strategies for a disruptive classroom, or running a social-skills group for students on the autism spectrum. The work requires empathy, precision, and advocacy, and the impact of helping a struggling child get the right support can change the trajectory of their entire educational experience.
Frequently asked questions
What does School Psychologists do?
Investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems, using knowledge of cognitive, social, and developmental psychology.
What does a typical day look like in School Psychologists?
Your morning might start by administering a cognitive assessment to a second grader referred for possible learning disabilities, carefully noting responses and behaviors during testing. By mid-morning you are sitting in a team meeting with parents, teachers, and special-education coordinators, interpreting assessment results and recommending whether the student qualifies for an IEP.
How much does School Psychologists earn?
The median annual salary for School Psychologists in the US is $86,930. The middle 80% of workers earn between $51,200 and $137,590 annually. Entry-to-mid-career earners typically fall between $67,680 and $113,030.
How do I become school psychologists?
The typical entry education is a Doctoral or professional degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does School Psychologists need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Writing. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace School Psychologists?
Our AI-durability model gives School Psychologists a score of 0.36 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.
How hard is it to enter this field?
School Psychologists has very high barrier to entry — very highly gated — extended graduate education, licensure, or years of specialised training are required.
Is School Psychologists right for you?
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