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School Psychologist

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What is a School Psychologist?

Occupation Description Investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems.

What Do School Psychologists Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.
  • Refer students and their families to appropriate community agencies for medical, vocational, or social services.
  • Provide educational programs on topics such as classroom management, teaching strategies, or parenting skills.
  • Compile and interpret students’ test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
  • Serve as a resource to help families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss.
  • Attend workshops, seminars, or professional meetings to remain informed of new developments in school psychology.

School Psychologist Skills

These are the skills School Psychologists say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

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.

  • Consulting Psychologist
  • Behavioral Specialist
  • Educational Diagnostician
  • Early Intervention School Psychologist
  • Bilingual School Psychologist

Are There Job Opportunities for School Psychologists?

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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 12,100 job openings in this field each year.

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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.

School Psychologist Average Salary

The salary for School Psychologists ranges between about $44,040 and $129,310 a year.

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School Psychologists who work in California, Oregon, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.

How much do School Psychologists make in each U.S. state?

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

Tools & Technologies Used by School Psychologists

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many School Psychologists:

  • 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 do I Become a School Psychologist?

Education needed to be a School Psychologist:

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What work experience do I need to become a School Psychologist?

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School Psychologists Sector

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Below are examples of industries where School Psychologists work:

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Those interested in being a School Psychologist may also be interested in:

References:

Image Credit: BruceBlaus via Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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