School Psychologist Salary in Boston, MA
School Psychologists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $98,670 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,531 take-home, or $6,128 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median school psychologist salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,877
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,118
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,431
- Massachusetts income tax$4,714
- Take-home pay$73,531
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
School Psychologist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,480 | $31.00 | $50,986 | $4,249 |
| 25th percentile | $80,110 | $38.51 | $61,402 | $5,117 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $47.44 | $73,531 | $6,128 |
| 75th percentile | $115,900 | $55.72 | $84,791 | $7,066 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,250 | $65.02 | $97,167 | $8,097 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,670 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median school psychologist's $73,531 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,917 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 2.1× the national concentration of school psychologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for school psychologists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #3 of 4 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $117,540 | $85,625 | $76,068 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $122,390 | $86,176 | $75,882 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $98,670 | $73,531 | $67,917 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $90,620 | $68,240 | $65,872 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 4 metros →
About the job: school psychologists
Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.8% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school psychologist make in Boston, MA?
The median school psychologist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $98,670 a year, or about $47.44 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,110 and $115,900.
What is a school psychologist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $98,670 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $73,531 a year ($6,128 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,714 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a school psychologist?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $95,990. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,917 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #3 of 4 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a school psychologist afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median school psychologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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