School Psychologist Salary in Seattle, WA
School Psychologists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $115,570 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $90,133 take-home, or $7,511 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median school psychologist salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$16,595
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,165
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,676
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$90,133
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
School Psychologist pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,550 | $42.57 | $71,125 | $5,927 |
| 25th percentile | $105,190 | $50.57 | $82,831 | $6,903 |
| Median (50th) | $115,570 | $55.56 | $90,133 | $7,511 |
| 75th percentile | $133,170 | $64.02 | $102,288 | $8,524 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,920 | $70.63 | $111,686 | $9,307 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $115,570 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median school psychologist's $90,133 take-home pay has the buying power of $81,104 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 Seattle, WA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for school psychologists, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #5 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 Seattle, WA?
The median school psychologist salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $115,570 a year, or about $55.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $105,190 and $133,170.
What is a school psychologist’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $115,570 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $90,133 a year ($7,511 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a school psychologist?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $95,990. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $81,104 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #5 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a school psychologist afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median school psychologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
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- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $109,500
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $108,580
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- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $105,430
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