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School Psychologists

Typical education: Master's degreeModerate pressure

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $95,990 Median per year · $46.15/hr Most earn $63,070–$142,330

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
  • Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
  • Provide educational programs on topics such as classroom management, teaching strategies, or parenting skills.
  • Design classes and programs to meet the needs of special students.
  • Conduct research to generate new knowledge that can be used to address learning and behavior issues.
  • Refer students and their families to appropriate community agencies for medical, vocational, or social services.

Job outlook

United States
1% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 3,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Elementary and secondary schools83.3%
  • Educational support services3.8%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools2.2%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Master's degreeExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

School psychology is not an entry-level job straight out of school. Most people need a bachelor's degree and then a master's (or specialist) degree in school psychology, which usually takes around 6 to 7 years of college-level study in total, plus some related work experience.

  1. Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, or a related field

    4 years

    You build a foundation in how people learn, think, and behave, and you can start volunteering or working with kids while you study.

  2. School-based or child-focused entry job, such as Special Education Teacher or behavior/classroom aide

    6 months to 1 year

    You gain real experience working with students who have learning or behavior needs, which helps you get into a graduate program and understand schools from the inside.

  3. Master's or specialist degree in school psychology

    2 to 3 years

    You learn testing, counseling, and intervention methods, and you complete a supervised field placement or internship in a school, which is usually required before you can get certified.

  4. School Psychologist

    Ongoing once hired

    You assess students, plan support strategies, counsel students and families, and work with teachers, often after earning a state certification or license.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead School Psychologist

    3 to 5 years of experience first

    You take on more responsibility for guiding other school psychologists, coordinating testing and support teams, and helping set district policies.

  2. Clinical and Counseling Psychologist

    2 to 4 years of experience first

    With a doctoral degree and licensure, you can work in clinics or private practice and diagnose and treat a wider range of mental health concerns, not just school-based ones.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take psychology, statistics, and English classesPsychology gives you a head start on the field, and statistics and writing are important for understanding and reporting on students.
  • Join a peer tutoring or mentoring programHelping classmates learn builds communication skills and shows you how it feels to support someone through a challenge.
  • Volunteer with children or teensWorking with younger kids at a library, rec center, or youth group helps you see what school support work looks like.
  • Get a part-time job working with kidsCamp counselor, daycare helper, or after-school aide jobs build patience and experience with different learning and behavior styles.
  • Talk with your school counselorThey can tell you about local colleges and help you plan a path that includes psychology courses.

In college

  • Major in psychology or educationA psychology or education major covers child development and learning, which are core to school psychology graduate programs.
  • Take courses in child development, research methods, and statisticsThese courses prepare you for graduate-level testing, data analysis, and reading research.
  • Work as a classroom aide or behavior technicianThis gives you the 6 months to 1 year of related experience that many people have before entering a graduate program.
  • Get involved in psychology or pre-graduate clubsClubs and student groups help you meet faculty, learn about grad programs, and build leadership experience.
  • Look for a research assistant position with a psychology professorResearch experience strengthens graduate applications and teaches you how psychologists study learning and behavior.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a school psychologist if you can shadow them or interview them about their day; it's one of the best ways to see if this job fits you.
  • Look up your state's certification requirements for school psychologists early so you can plan the right master's program.
  • Build a record of working with kids, such as tutoring, camp counseling, or volunteering, since graduate programs and employers both look for hands-on experience.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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