Is a career in school psychology worth it?

Yes, being a school psychologist is generally considered very rewarding and worthwhile for those passionate about helping children, offering a good salary, strong job growth, flexible schedules with summers off, and the fulfillment of making a significant positive impact, though high caseloads, district politics, and demanding situations can be challenging. It's a field that blends personal fulfillment with financial stability for many, aligning well with a desire to support student well-being and development within the school system.

Is being a school psychologist a good career?

School Psychologist Salary

Colorado, New York, California, and Washington are the top-paying states for school psychologists, and the average annual mean wage is over $95,000 in each of these states.

Is there a demand for school psychologists?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the field of school counseling are expected to grow 10% between 2021 and 2031, faster than expected growth for other professions. The median salary for a school psychologist is $78,780 annually.

What can you do with a school psychology degree?

School psychologists work in a variety of settings to promote optimal learning for children.

• Educational Consultant. ...
• Researcher. ...
• Professor. ...
• Private Practice. ...
• Behavior Analyst. ...
• Special Education Coordinator. ...
• Program Evaluator. ...
• Crisis Intervention Specialist.

Do school psychologists make more money than teachers?

Yes, school psychologists generally make more than teachers due to higher educational requirements (Master's/Doctorate vs. Bachelor's), but salaries vary significantly by state, district, experience, and whether they're on the teacher pay scale or a separate schedule, with some districts placing them on higher lanes for advanced degrees. While teachers average around $60k, school psychologists often see averages from $78k to $87k+, with top earners exceeding $100k, but some roles might be closer to teacher pay. 

10 Reasons Why You Should Be A School Psychologist

Which field of psychology is the highest paid?

The psychologist type that makes the most money is often a Psychiatrist, as they are Medical Doctors (MDs) who can prescribe medication and have extensive training, earning significantly more than other psychology roles, with figures often exceeding $200,000-$300,000 annually, while other top earners include Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychologists, Neuropsychologists, and specialized forensic or engineering psychologists, depending on setting (private practice, corporate) and experience. 

Why are school psychologists leaving the profession?

School psychologists are leaving the profession primarily due to overwhelming burnout from heavy workloads, unreasonable demands (like endless testing), and high student-to-psychologist ratios, compounded by low pay relative to advanced degrees, lack of administrative support, limited opportunities for meaningful work, and increased political/social pressures impacting mental health initiatives. This leads to emotional exhaustion and a feeling of being unable to effectively help students, driving many to consider or leave the field. 

Can you make 6 figures as a school psychologist?

Yes, you can absolutely make six figures as a school psychologist, especially with experience, advanced degrees (like a doctorate), specialized skills (like bilingualism), or by working in high-cost-of-living areas or well-funded districts, though median salaries are lower and entry-level pay varies. Top earners consistently break the $100k mark, with some experienced professionals reaching well over $120k or even $130k+ in lucrative locations like California. 

How hard is school psychology?

School psychology is generally ranked as a moderately challenging major in national difficulty surveys, which typically assess factors like workload intensity, technical and analytical skill requirements, and the number of practicum or fieldwork hours.

Where do most school psychologists work?

Where Do School Psychologists Work? According to the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) (opens in a new window) 1, 81 percent of school psychologists work in K-12 public schools. The remaining 19 percent are employed in private schools, community health organizations, and universities.

Will AI replace psychologists?

Given these concerns, the researchers concluded that commercially available chatbots are not, at this point, a viable replacement for human-delivered therapy. However, they are quick to note that the conversation about AI's place in mental health is complex and nuanced.

What is the easiest psychology job to get?

The easiest psychology jobs to get often involve supporting roles with lower entry barriers, like Social and Human Services Assistants, Psychiatric Aides, Behavior Technicians, or Case Managers, requiring typically a high school diploma or associate's degree and providing hands-on experience in community settings, while offering pathways to more advanced roles. 

Why is there a shortage of school psychologists?

Springhart said the school psychologist shortage seems to be caused by the same factors triggering shortages of other school staff: inevitable events like retirement, but also financial hardship, forcing people to move out of parts of California with high costs of living.

What is the turnover rate for school psychologists?

Based on this model, the rate of turnover for the 2020-2021 school year was 6.7%.

Do school psychologists make more than teachers?

Yes, school psychologists generally make more than teachers due to higher educational requirements (Master's/Doctorate vs. Bachelor's), but salaries vary significantly by state, district, experience, and whether they're on the teacher pay scale or a separate schedule, with some districts placing them on higher lanes for advanced degrees. While teachers average around $60k, school psychologists often see averages from $78k to $87k+, with top earners exceeding $100k, but some roles might be closer to teacher pay. 

What is the fastest growing field in psychology?

Forensic Psychologists

While specific numbers vary, forensic psychology is frequently mentioned as one of the "fastest-growing psychology careers" due to increasing interest in understanding criminal behavior.

Do school psychologists have a good work-life balance?

Benefits of being a school psychologist

Those in this position typically follow their institution's schedule and calendar when working at a school. As a result, they may get significant time off, including for summers and holidays, and their work hours align with the typical school days.

What is the 70 30 rule in teaching?

The 70/30 rule in teaching is a principle that shifts focus from teacher-led instruction to student-centered, active learning, suggesting students should do 70% of the talking/practice and teachers 30% of direct instruction, or that teachers plan 70% for activities and 30% for content, promoting deeper engagement and skill development over passive reception, particularly in language learning. 

What is the #1 reason teachers quit?

Teachers often cite working conditions, such as the support of their principals and the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues, as the top reason for leaving.

How difficult is it to become an educational psychologist?

Entry onto an accredited Doctorate course is becoming increasingly competitive and requires a good first degree, usually a 2:1 or higher, as well as a minimum of one year's full-time experience working with children and young people in an education, health, social care, youth justice or childcare setting.

Is being a psychologist worth it financially?

Being a psychologist can be financially rewarding, with median salaries often above average, but it requires significant upfront investment in education and carries opportunity costs, with earnings heavily dependent on specialization (like I-O or neuropsychology), location, experience, and practice setting (private practice vs. community agency). While initial years in community settings might pay less, building experience and specializing allows for high earning potential, especially in private practice where top earners exceed $150,000 annually, though it takes time and effort to reach that level. 

What jobs use psychology but aren't therapy?

Professionals with a background in applied psychology can pursue careers with a focus in consumer research, marketing, jury trial selection, organizational design, human resources, user experience, business and more.

Can I go into HR with a psychology degree?

For psychology majors looking for a career in which they can apply their skills but prefer to skip the clinical environment, human resources can offer an ideal path to do just that. HR and psychology can complement each other to better help employees thrive in the workplace.