Life As a School Psychologist
Career Description Investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems.
School Psychologist Responsibilities
- Serve as a resource to help families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss.
- Design classes and programs to meet the needs of special students.
- Counsel children and families to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment.
- Compile and interpret students’ test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
- Provide educational programs on topics such as classroom management, teaching strategies, or parenting skills.
- Conduct research to generate new knowledge that can be used to address learning and behavior issues.
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School Psychologist Needed 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.
Other School Psychologist Job Titles
- Bilingual School Psychologist
- Behavioral Specialist
- Early Intervention School Psychologist
- Associate School Psychologist
- Child Psychologist
Job Opportunities for School Psychologists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 147,500 jobs in the United States for School Psychologist. 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
School Psychologists make between $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 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
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
Becoming a School Psychologist
Individuals working as a School Psychologist have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a School Psychologist?
Where School Psychologists Are Employed
School Psychologists work in the following industries:
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References:
Image Credit: BruceBlaus via Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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