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Job title · SOC 19-3034

School Psychologist

01

Overview

Sourced

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.

O*NET definition of School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034) · Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed.

53,830
in government (SOC 19-3034)
84%
of this occupation works for government
$95,460
median pay in government
Local
levels of government

Titles employers use

Bilingual School PsychologistEarly Intervention School PsychologistSchool NeuropsychologistSchool PsychometristAutism ConsultantChallenging Behavior ConsultantEducational Diagnostician
How people usually get in Editorial
Ed.S./NCSP + state credential. Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

02

Requirements

Sourced
Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 19-3034)
Education needed to enter
Master's degree
Related work experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency

Education workers say the job requires

Master's Degree
23%
Post-Master's Certificate
58%
First Professional Degree
15%
Doctoral Degree
4%

Share of surveyed workers in School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034) naming each level as required to be hired, 26 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

03

How to get hired

Sourced

Psychologists typically need an advanced degree, such as a master's or doctoral degree, in psychology. Licensing requirements vary by state and position.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Psychologists”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.

04

Academy and training

Sourced
Training to become competent (BLS)
SOC 19-3034
Internship/residency
Preparation level (O*NET)
Job zone
Extensive Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

06

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Steps and lanes: certificated salary schedule: years (steps) × education (lanes). Typical structure for a public school certificated staff; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

  1. Teacher, Step 1 (by lane: BA / BA+15 / MA / MA+30 / PhD)
  2. Teacher, Steps 2…N (annual)
  3. Longevity steps
  4. Mentor / Lead Teacher / Department Chair (stipend)
  5. Instructional Coach
  6. Assistant Principal
  7. Principal
  8. Central-office Director
  9. Superintendent

Source: GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial).

07

Pay

Sourced
Federal
Not published
State
$89,700
Local
$95,530
All government
$95,460
Private sector
$98,710

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer typeWorkers10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
State960$65,930$79,310$89,700$115,080$142,000
Local52,860$63,580$77,710$95,530$115,350$135,780
All government53,830$63,580$77,740$95,460$115,350$136,150
Private sector10,110$59,120$75,410$98,710$146,950$148,780

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

08

Schedule

Sourced
Work schedule
Regular
85%
Irregular
15%
Seasonal
0%
Typical work week
Less than 40 hours
0%
40 hours
64%
More than 40 hours
36%

Share of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2026). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

12

Day-to-day work

Sourced
  1. Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.4.8
  2. Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.4.8
  3. Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.4.8
  4. Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.4.7
  5. Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.4.6
  6. Select, administer, and score psychological tests.4.5
  7. Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.4.4
  8. Initiate and direct efforts to foster tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in school communities.4.4
  9. Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.4.4
  10. Promote an understanding of child development and its relationship to learning and behavior.4.3

The 10 most important of 19 core tasks for School Psychologists, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teacher
Same promotion ladder
Elementary School Teacher
Same promotion ladder
ESL / ELL Teacher
Same promotion ladder
High School Teacher
Same promotion ladder
Instructional Coach / Coordinator
Same promotion ladder
Kindergarten Teacher
Same promotion ladder
Middle School Teacher
Same promotion ladder
Public Pre-K Teacher
Same promotion ladder
14

Exams by name

Sourced
ExamAdministered byUsed inTypeOfficial page
Praxis School Psychologist (5403)
2 hours 5 minutes; 125 selected-response and other question types; computer delivered.
ETSUSlicensingOfficial page

Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.

Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.

15

Employer directory

Sourced

13,321 school districts in the registry. Regular public school districts in the NCES Common Core of Data (charter-only districts are not included). The 10 largest by teachers (fte):

EmployerLocationTeachers (FTE)Website
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299Chicago, IL23,532Official site
Los Angeles UnifiedLos Angeles, CA21,246Official site
MIAMI-DADEMiami, FL17,139Official site
Clark CountyLas Vegas, NV16,446Official site
Fairfax County Public SchoolsFalls Church, VA13,501Official site
Gwinnett CountyLawrenceville, GA12,796—
Hawaii Department of EducationHonolulu, HI12,215Official site
Montgomery County Public SchoolsRockville, MD11,574Official site
PALM BEACHWest Palm Beach, FL11,548Official site
ORANGEOrlando, FL11,416Official site

Full lists by state:

Texas · 1,022California · 988Illinois · 855New York · 717Ohio · 619New Jersey · 560Michigan · 536Missouri · 518Oklahoma · 507Pennsylvania · 500Wisconsin · 420Montana · 392

As reported by each employer to its federal registry.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data, 2024–25 local education agency universe (directory and staff). Data captured September 30, 2026.

16

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for School Psychologists (SOC 19-3034) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

StateWorkers10th pct.Median90th pct.
California8,340$97,200$127,780$160,170
Colorado1,380$88,090$124,770$161,570
New Mexico630$83,980$110,360$165,830
Maryland1,520$64,360$109,700$138,250
Washington1,420$82,600$108,780$139,110
District of Columbia250$83,470$107,500$164,380
New York9,070$67,160$106,550$148,790
Oregon570$83,710$106,070$146,320
Connecticut1,140$68,350$100,600$126,170
Georgia1,650$61,980$99,110$132,740
Massachusetts3,300$65,990$98,670$135,280
Delaware280$68,270$95,990$124,830
New Jersey2,130$72,700$95,160$127,910
Rhode Island210$59,640$94,900$107,360
Alaska120$67,140$94,460$104,160
Nevada290$72,250$93,680$136,160
Arizona1,100$66,920$92,380$121,700
Ohio2,050$61,100$91,010$122,660
Nebraska440$66,420$88,980$125,050
Virginia1,200$63,130$85,670$132,800
Minnesota1,060$61,530$85,190$113,330
Florida2,020$62,320$84,760$107,540
Illinois3,590$62,620$84,690$127,640
Michigan1,480$57,480$83,960$118,560
Wyoming120$60,500$83,740$111,690
Texas4,250$67,650$83,690$116,180
Wisconsin1,180$60,660$83,330$129,380
Vermont180$61,940$82,820$105,920
Pennsylvania2,600$62,550$82,190$118,440
Hawaii90$77,190$82,110$92,750
Maine120$66,960$81,650$118,450
Montana170$59,520$80,010$101,380
South Dakota110$65,930$78,370$127,310
Utah490$60,400$77,820$109,980
Indiana710$56,260$77,640$105,290
Tennessee900$53,290$76,850$102,400
South Carolina720$52,340$76,720$104,450
Kentucky590$61,550$75,370$113,760
West Virginia250$58,690$75,220$99,610
Alabama370$68,710$75,060$104,720
Iowa400$45,130$74,410$99,720
New Hampshire360$38,680$73,490$98,850
North Carolina1,540$58,510$73,220$91,970
Kansas630$60,620$73,020$95,810
Idaho310$51,630$71,700$101,040
Missouri520$57,290$70,290$100,410
Louisiana670$58,260$69,020$100,940
North Dakota90$52,690$68,960$84,660
Oklahoma510$39,080$64,930$104,190
Arkansas440$31,770$64,030$81,110
MississippiNot published$46,470$61,070$78,180

51 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

  • 05 Probation
    Probation length and what ends it
    Not yet collected
  • 09 Benefits and pension
    Pension plan/tier and formula, retirement age/years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b), PSLF eligibility
    Not yet collected
  • 10 Union contracts
    Bargaining unit, union, current CBA (source link, effective dates)
    Not yet collected
  • 11 Transfers and lateral entry
    Lateral policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonus, inter-agency moves
    Not yet collected