Social Scientists and Related Workers

How to become a School Psychologist

Official title: School Psychologists

Also called: Autism Consultant, Bilingual School Psychologist, Challenging Behavior Consultant, Early Intervention School Psychologist, Educational Diagnostician, School Neuropsychologist, School Psychometrist

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.

Main tasks

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.
Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.
Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.

How to become one

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

Typical education to start: Master's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Psychology degrees, Offered by 33 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 46 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $95,990 a year The middle half earn $77,470 to $120,310.
About 64,000 people work in this job now, and about 64,500 are projected by 2035. (+0.8%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a School Psychologist?

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

How much does a School Psychologist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $95,990 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $77,470 to $120,310.

Is a School Psychologist a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 64,000 people now and 64,500 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a School Psychologist?

Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a School Psychologist?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.