How much does a school psychologist make?
The median school psychologist in the United States earns $95,990 per year, about $46.15 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all school psychologists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-3034.
School psychologist salary range
Pay for school psychologists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $63,070 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $142,330. The average (mean) wage of $99,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $63,070 | $30.32 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $77,470 | $37.25 | |
| Median (50th) | $95,990 | $46.15 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $120,310 | $57.84 | |
| 90th percentile | $142,330 | $68.43 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for school psychologists (SOC 19-3034), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
School psychologist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. School psychologists earn the most in California at $127,780 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $61,070. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $127,780 | 8,340 |
| Colorado | $124,770 | 1,380 |
| New Mexico | $110,360 | 630 |
| Maryland | $109,700 | 1,520 |
| Washington | $108,780 | 1,420 |
| District of Columbia | $107,500 | 250 |
| New York | $106,550 | 9,070 |
| Oregon | $106,070 | 570 |
| Connecticut | $100,600 | 1,140 |
| Georgia | $99,110 | 1,650 |
| Massachusetts | $98,670 | 3,300 |
| Delaware | $95,990 | 280 |
| New Jersey | $95,160 | 2,130 |
| Rhode Island | $94,900 | 210 |
| Alaska | $94,460 | 120 |
| Nevada | $93,680 | 290 |
| Arizona | $92,380 | 1,100 |
| Ohio | $91,010 | 2,050 |
| Nebraska | $88,980 | 440 |
| Virginia | $85,670 | 1,200 |
| Minnesota | $85,190 | 1,060 |
| Florida | $84,760 | 2,020 |
| Illinois | $84,690 | 3,590 |
| Michigan | $83,960 | 1,480 |
| Wyoming | $83,740 | 120 |
| Texas | $83,690 | 4,250 |
| Wisconsin | $83,330 | 1,180 |
| Vermont | $82,820 | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,190 | 2,600 |
| Hawaii | $82,110 | 90 |
| Maine | $81,650 | 120 |
| Montana | $80,010 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $78,370 | 110 |
| Utah | $77,820 | 490 |
| Indiana | $77,640 | 710 |
| Tennessee | $76,850 | 900 |
| South Carolina | $76,720 | 720 |
| Kentucky | $75,370 | 590 |
| West Virginia | $75,220 | 250 |
| Alabama | $75,060 | 370 |
| Iowa | $74,410 | 400 |
| New Hampshire | $73,490 | 360 |
| North Carolina | $73,220 | 1,540 |
| Kansas | $73,020 | 630 |
| Idaho | $71,700 | 310 |
| Missouri | $70,290 | 520 |
| Louisiana | $69,020 | 670 |
| North Dakota | $68,960 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $64,930 | 510 |
| Arkansas | $64,030 | 440 |
| Mississippi | $61,070 | N/A |
State median wages for school psychologists (SOC 19-3034), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for school psychologists
The BLS projects employment of school psychologists to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 64,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 64,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,400 openings a year for school psychologists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a school psychologist
The typical entry-level education for school psychologists is a master's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a school psychologist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $127,780) and the lowest (Mississippi, $61,070) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 63,940 people work as school psychologists in the United States. At $95,990 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
School psychologist salary FAQ
How much does a school psychologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a school psychologist is $46.15. The middle half of school psychologists earn between $37.25 and $57.84 per hour.
What is the highest school psychologist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of school psychologists earn more than $142,330 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a school psychologist make a year?
The median annual salary for a school psychologist is $95,990. The average (mean) wage of $99,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a school psychologist a well paid job?
At $95,990 a year, a school psychologist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 63,940 people work as school psychologists in the United States.
Which state pays school psychologists the most?
California has the highest median salary for school psychologists at $127,780 a year. Colorado ($124,770) and New Mexico ($110,360) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a school psychologist a good career?
Employment of school psychologists is projected to hold roughly steady 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a school psychologist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for school psychologists as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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