What Does a School Psychologist Do? (With Salary and Skills)

Written by

Edited by

Updated March 26, 2025

As a school psychologist, your job revolves around the mental health and well-being of students. Your responsibilities include not just the individual students, but the entire school environment as well. Learning the role of a school psychologist can help you determine whether this is the appropriate career path for you.In this article, we what a school psychologist does, how much they earn, the skills required for the job and similar roles in this field.

What does a school psychologist do?

A school psychologist’s role primarily involves the application of psychological principles to enhance the learning capabilities and mental well-being of students. This includes conducting psychological assessments, implementing interventions to help students manage emotional issues and collaborating with teachers and parents to create a nurturing educational environment.It is a multidimensional role in which you, as a school psychologist, also need to incorporate curricular knowledge, interpersonal skills and behavior management techniques. Common responsibilities for a school psychologist include:

Intervention implementation

You work directly with students who have mental health concerns, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. You focus on applying various intervention strategies to aid students in overcoming these issues, helping them adapt to their learning environment better.

Psychological assessment

You're tasked with conducting psychological evaluations to determine a student's cognitive capabilities, behavioral characteristics and emotional health. Your assessments are crucial and provide valuable insights for developing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students in need.

Collaboration with school staff and parents

As part of your role, you collaborate with other school staff—teachers, administrators—and parents to understand the student's academic and personal needs better. You act as a liaison between the stakeholders, facilitating effective communication to ensure that everyone works towards the holistic development of the student.

Where does a school psychologist work?

As a school psychologist, your work setting is mostly educational institutions. Among the many places where school psychologist operates, a few common ones are:

Elementary schools
Middle schools
High schools
Colleges and universities
District administrative offices
Residential treatment centers
School-based health and mental centers.

Is it hard to become a school psychologist?

Becoming a school psychologist requires a significant level of commitment in terms of time and effort. It entails a rigorous academic journey that goes beyond just a bachelor's degree. You also usually need a specialist degree in school psychology, which is typically a 3-year program, including a year-long internship.In most states, licensing or certification for practicing as a school psychologist is a requirement. Keep in mind your journey to become a school psychologist also involves gaining comprehensive practical experience, preferably in an educational environment, to enhance your professional competency.

Skills for a school psychologist

A school psychologist needs to harbor a unique blend of skills. This comprises educational knowledge, psychological insight and communicational acumen, among others. The role certainly demands more than academic prowess. Essential skills for a school psychologist include:

Excellent communication

As a school psychologist, you need to facilitate dialogue between various stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents and other staff members. Clear and compassionate communication is essential in helping you articulate your thoughts and concerns effectively.

Empathy

Your role calls for a deep understanding and empathy towards the students and their struggles. This involves perceiving the students’ emotional states and understanding their perspectives. Empathy enables you to respond to the students' needs appropriately and develop effective support strategies.

Problem-solving

Every day, you will encounter unique challenges that require you to use your problem-solving skills. The ability to think critically, analyze complex situations and devise effective strategies is crucial in your role as a school psychologist.

Ethical decision-making

You deal with sensitive information, and you are expected to uphold high levels of confidentiality. Your ethical decision-making skills help you in considering all aspects of a situation before reaching a decision. It allows you to act in the best interest of the students and their well-being.

Average salary and job outlook for a school psychologist

The average salary of a school psychologist varies based on several factors. These include your level of education, years of experience, geographical location, and the institution you're employed by. Additionally, certification and specialization in certain areas can also significantly impact your earnings.On average, a school psychologist in the United States earns about $56,172 per year, according to Indeed. Keep in mind, the pay scales in metropolitan cities could be higher due to the cost of living and the higher demand for such professionals.The job outlook for school psychologists appears promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment for psychologists is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average for all occupations. School psychologists might see better prospects due to increased awareness about the mental health needs of students.

Jobs that are similar to a school psychologist

If you're considering a career similar to that of a school psychologist, there are several closely related professions. These roles demand a similar skill set and may have overlapping responsibilities. Below is a list of jobs that are similar to a school psychologist. Get the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed.

1. School counselor

National average salary: $55,573 per year
Primary duties: This role involves working closely with students, helping them with their academic, personal and career developments. As a school counselor, you work on establishing safe learning environments for students and helping them make informed decisions about their future.
Find school counselor jobs

2. Educational psychologist

National average salary: $101,530 per year
Primary duties: As an educational psychologist, you apply your psychological theories to understand how individuals learn or teach. You work on developing innovative ways to enhance learning environments and provide interventions for learning difficulties.
Find educational psychologist jobs

3. Child psychologist

National average salary: $101,530 per year
Primary duties: Child psychologists specialize in understanding the mental health issues of children and adolescents. They work on diagnosing and treating various behavioral, developmental and mental health disorders.
Find child psychologist jobs

4. Social worker

National average salary: $58,939 per year
Primary duties: Social workers work towards improving the lives of individuals, families or groups. In a school setting, a social worker might collaborate with teachers, parents and students, ensuring that students are provided necessary resources and support to thrive in their learning environments.
Find social worker jobsIt's essential to note that while these roles share similarities with a school psychologist, each comes with its own specialized skill set and responsibilities, and thus likely different career trajectories and salary prospects.For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries.Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organizations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

The information on this site is provided as a courtesy and for informational purposes only. Indeed is not a career or legal advisor and does not guarantee job interviews or offers