School Psychologist Salary in Denver, CO
School Psychologists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $129,340 a year — 35% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $94,687 take-home, or $7,891 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median school psychologist salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,776
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,019
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,875
- Colorado income tax$4,983
- Take-home pay$94,687
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
School Psychologist pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,880 | $48.02 | $75,409 | $6,284 |
| 25th percentile | $108,940 | $52.38 | $81,384 | $6,782 |
| Median (50th) | $129,340 | $62.18 | $94,687 | $7,891 |
| 75th percentile | $141,060 | $67.82 | $102,182 | $8,515 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,570 | $77.68 | $115,298 | $9,608 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $129,340 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median school psychologist's $94,687 take-home pay has the buying power of $89,512 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
School Psychologist jobs are about as common in Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for school psychologists, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #2 of 24 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside, CA | $139,400 | $95,999 | $90,189 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $129,340 | $94,687 | $89,512 |
| 3 | Sacramento, CA | $131,920 | $91,679 | $85,947 |
| 4 | San Diego, CA | $131,070 | $91,189 | $81,501 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $115,570 | $90,133 | $81,104 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $114,520 | $84,299 | $80,679 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $130,540 | $90,882 | $78,609 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $117,540 | $85,625 | $76,068 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 24 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school psychologist make in Denver, CO?
The median school psychologist salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $129,340 a year, or about $62.18 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $108,940 and $141,060.
What is a school psychologist’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $129,340 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $94,687 a year ($7,891 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,983 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a school psychologist?
Pay here is 35% above the national median of $95,990. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $89,512 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #2 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a school psychologist afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median school psychologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers — $120,480
- Urban and Regional Planner — $105,890
- Chemist — $102,390
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $102,120
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $95,780
- Biological Technician — $65,140
- Chemical Technician — $59,800