School Psychologist Salary
School Psychologists earn a median $95,990 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What school psychologists do
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)
- Openings per year
- 3,400
Employment of school psychologists is projected to grow 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
School Psychologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,288
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,951
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,392
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$76,359
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,070 | $30.32 | $52,857 |
| 25th percentile | $77,470 | $37.25 | $63,330 |
| Median (50th) | $95,990 | $46.15 | $76,359 |
| 75th percentile | $120,310 | $57.84 | $93,468 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,330 | $68.43 | $108,549 |
Best cities for school psychologists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $117,540 | $85,625 | $76,068 | 7,890 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $122,390 | $86,176 | $75,882 | 3,060 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $98,670 | $73,531 | $67,917 | 2,340 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $90,620 | $68,240 | $65,872 | 2,770 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $122,390
- New York, NY — $117,540
- Boston, MA — $98,670
- Chicago, IL — $90,620
School Psychologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $127,780 | +8.0% | $89,289 | $97,200 – $160,170 | 8,340 |
| Colorado | $124,770 | +12.3% | $91,765 | $88,090 – $161,570 | 1,380 |
| New Mexico | $110,360 | +10.2% | $82,392 | $83,980 – $165,830 | 630 |
| Maryland | $109,700 | +0.9% | $81,149 | $64,360 – $138,250 | 1,520 |
| Washington | $108,780 | +2.2% | $85,357 | $82,600 – $139,110 | 1,420 |
| District of Columbia | $107,500 | +6.7% | $78,287 | $83,470 – $164,380 | 250 |
| New York | $106,550 | +7.3% | $78,542 | $67,160 – $148,790 | 9,070 |
| Oregon | $106,070 | −6.3% | $74,999 | $83,710 – $146,320 | 570 |
| Connecticut | $100,600 | +2.6% | $75,644 | $68,350 – $126,170 | 1,140 |
| Georgia | $99,110 | +2.4% | $74,033 | $61,980 – $132,740 | 1,650 |
| Massachusetts | $98,670 | +0.5% | $73,531 | $65,990 – $135,280 | 3,300 |
| Delaware | $95,990 | +19.6% | $71,365 | $68,270 – $124,830 | 280 |
| New Jersey | $95,160 | +4.7% | $71,903 | $72,700 – $127,910 | 2,130 |
| Rhode Island | $94,900 | +8.0% | $72,650 | $59,640 – $107,360 | 210 |
| Alaska | $94,460 | +2.5% | $75,283 | $67,140 – $104,160 | 120 |
| Nevada | $93,680 | +10.4% | $74,734 | $72,250 – $136,160 | 290 |
| Arizona | $92,380 | +12.3% | $71,719 | $66,920 – $121,700 | 1,100 |
| Ohio | $91,010 | +4.7% | $71,135 | $61,100 – $122,660 | 2,050 |
| Nebraska | $88,980 | +11.7% | $68,258 | $66,420 – $125,050 | 440 |
| Virginia | $85,670 | +5.7% | $64,987 | $63,130 – $132,800 | 1,200 |
| Minnesota | $85,190 | +3.2% | $64,492 | $61,530 – $113,330 | 1,060 |
| Florida | $84,760 | +2.5% | $68,459 | $62,320 – $107,540 | 2,020 |
| Illinois | $84,690 | +5.6% | $64,362 | $62,620 – $127,640 | 3,590 |
| Michigan | $83,960 | +9.1% | $64,578 | $57,480 – $118,560 | 1,480 |
| Wyoming | $83,740 | −5.0% | $67,741 | $60,500 – $111,690 | 120 |
| Texas | $83,690 | +7.1% | $67,706 | $67,650 – $116,180 | 4,250 |
| Wisconsin | $83,330 | +4.5% | $64,417 | $60,660 – $129,380 | 1,180 |
| Vermont | $82,820 | +5.8% | $64,088 | $61,940 – $105,920 | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,190 | −4.5% | $64,127 | $62,550 – $118,440 | 2,600 |
| Hawaii | $82,110 | — | $61,884 | $77,190 – $92,750 | 90 |
| Maine | $81,650 | +6.8% | $61,928 | $66,960 – $118,450 | 120 |
| Montana | $80,010 | +4.8% | $61,957 | $59,520 – $101,380 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $78,370 | +1.8% | $63,963 | $65,930 – $127,310 | 110 |
| Utah | $77,820 | +2.6% | $61,040 | $60,400 – $109,980 | 490 |
| Indiana | $77,640 | +3.9% | $61,189 | $56,260 – $105,290 | 710 |
| Tennessee | $76,850 | +12.1% | $62,894 | $53,290 – $102,400 | 900 |
| South Carolina | $76,720 | +1.9% | $59,356 | $52,340 – $104,450 | 720 |
| Kentucky | $75,370 | +9.0% | $59,332 | $61,550 – $113,760 | 590 |
| West Virginia | $75,220 | +7.7% | $59,057 | $58,690 – $99,610 | 250 |
| Alabama | $75,060 | +4.7% | $58,147 | $68,710 – $104,720 | 370 |
| Iowa | $74,410 | +5.8% | $59,002 | $45,130 – $99,720 | 400 |
| New Hampshire | $73,490 | −12.6% | $60,530 | $38,680 – $98,850 | 360 |
| North Carolina | $73,220 | +4.5% | $57,928 | $58,510 – $91,970 | 1,540 |
| Kansas | $73,020 | +7.4% | $56,925 | $60,620 – $95,810 | 630 |
| Idaho | $71,700 | +16.4% | $56,579 | $51,630 – $101,040 | 310 |
| Missouri | $70,290 | +16.6% | $55,913 | $57,290 – $100,410 | 520 |
| Louisiana | $69,020 | +5.7% | $55,701 | $58,260 – $100,940 | 670 |
| North Dakota | $68,960 | −0.6% | $57,258 | $52,690 – $84,660 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $64,930 | +5.7% | $51,975 | $39,080 – $104,190 | 510 |
| Arkansas | $64,030 | +4.2% | $51,344 | $31,770 – $81,110 | 440 |
| Mississippi | $61,070 | +1.4% | $49,539 | $46,470 – $78,180 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $100,580 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.7% |
| Psychologists, All Other | $110,840 | Master's degree | +2.3% |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 | Master's degree | +6.5% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,110 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
| Geographer | $102,040 | Bachelor's degree | -2.1% |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $89,320 | Master's degree | +3.9% |
| Sociologist | $106,030 | Master's degree | +3.8% |
| Historian | $76,750 | Master's degree | +3.0% |
| Anthropologist and Archeologist | $70,770 | Master's degree | +6.0% |
| Survey Researcher | $69,460 | Master's degree | -4.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school psychologist make?
The national median salary for school psychologists is $95,990 a year ($46.15 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $63,070 and the top 10% earn over $142,330. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays school psychologists the most?
California has the highest median pay at $127,780. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many school psychologists are there in the U.S.?
About 63,940 people work as school psychologists nationwide.