What is a School Psychologist?
Example of School Psychologist Job Investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems.
Life As a School Psychologist
- Provide educational programs on topics such as classroom management, teaching strategies, or parenting skills.
- Assess an individual child’s needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
- Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
- Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
- Provide consultation to parents, teachers, administrators, and others on topics such as learning styles and behavior modification techniques.
- Develop individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.
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School Psychologist Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most School Psychologists say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Types of School Psychologist Jobs
- Educational Diagnostician
- School Psychology Specialist
- Bilingual School Psychologist
- School Psychologist Assistant
- Assessment Specialist
School Psychologist Job Outlook
There were about 147,500 jobs for School Psychologist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 21,000 new jobs for School Psychologist by 2026. There will be an estimated 12,100 positions for School Psychologist per year.

The states with the most job growth for School Psychologist are Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Maine, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a School Psychologist
The salary for School Psychologists ranges between about $44,040 and $129,310 a year.

School Psychologists who work in California, Oregon, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do School Psychologists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $69,070 |
Alaska | $91,450 |
Arizona | $66,040 |
Arkansas | $69,000 |
California | $108,350 |
Colorado | $85,470 |
Connecticut | $90,870 |
Delaware | $78,850 |
District of Columbia | $95,500 |
Florida | $76,190 |
Georgia | $89,190 |
Hawaii | $94,550 |
Idaho | $64,270 |
Illinois | $75,180 |
Indiana | $73,350 |
Iowa | $85,260 |
Kansas | $65,320 |
Kentucky | $64,330 |
Louisiana | $86,630 |
Maine | $75,620 |
Maryland | $79,820 |
Massachusetts | $86,490 |
Michigan | $83,210 |
Minnesota | $85,860 |
Mississippi | $67,570 |
Missouri | $76,480 |
Montana | $63,720 |
Nebraska | $66,510 |
Nevada | $83,760 |
New Hampshire | $84,270 |
New Jersey | $98,470 |
New Mexico | $73,600 |
New York | $94,140 |
North Carolina | $77,470 |
North Dakota | $87,090 |
Ohio | $75,710 |
Oklahoma | $60,760 |
Oregon | $103,870 |
Pennsylvania | $83,610 |
Rhode Island | $83,030 |
South Carolina | $63,050 |
South Dakota | $73,900 |
Tennessee | $69,510 |
Texas | $73,650 |
Utah | $80,920 |
Vermont | $77,670 |
Virginia | $80,380 |
Washington | $73,840 |
West Virginia | $59,200 |
Wisconsin | $83,420 |
Wyoming | $78,360 |
What Tools & Technology do School Psychologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that School Psychologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Testing software
- Instructional software
How to Become a School Psychologist
Education needed to be a School Psychologist:

How Long Does it Take to Become a School Psychologist?

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a School Psychologist might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: BruceBlaus via Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
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