School Psychologist Salary 2026
The BLS median annual salary for school psychologists is $95,990 (OEWS May 2025, SOC 19-3034). Pay ranges from $63,070 to $142,330+ and varies by state, district funding and experience.
School psychologists make a median of $95,990 a year, about $46.15 an hour (BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 19-3034). Pay runs from $63,070 at the 10th percentile to $142,330 at the 90th, and varies most by state and district funding: California ($127,780) and Colorado ($124,770) lead, while Mississippi ($61,070) and Arkansas ($64,030) sit lowest. Total compensation runs higher than base pay alone once district pensions, subsidized health insurance and the 10-week academic calendar are counted.
School Psychologist Salary by State (Top 8 and Bottom 8)
| State / Benchmark | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| California | $127,780 |
| Colorado | $124,770 |
| New Mexico | $110,360 |
| Maryland | $109,700 |
| Washington | $108,780 |
| District of Columbia | $107,500 |
| New York | $106,550 |
| Oregon | $106,070 |
| National Median | $95,990 |
| Kansas | $73,020 |
| Idaho | $71,700 |
| Missouri | $70,290 |
| Louisiana | $69,020 |
| North Dakota | $68,960 |
| Oklahoma | $64,930 |
| Arkansas | $64,030 |
| Mississippi | $61,070 |
Top 8 and bottom 8 states by median annual wage, computed from the release rather than hand-picked. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 19-3034, state file. Snapshot taken 6 September 2026. Public domain; Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. BLS publishes a median for all 51 of the 51 states and DC for this SOC code, so no state is withheld here. The full state table covers SOC 19-3033, a different occupation.
Total Compensation: Beyond Base Salary
Benefits That Add Significant Value
- Pension: Most school districts offer defined benefit pensions, often worth $10,000 to $25,000+/year in retirement value
- Health insurance: District-subsidized plans often worth $8,000 to $15,000/yr
- Academic calendar: 10-week summer break; predictable schedule
- Job security: Tenure-track positions in many districts
- PSLF: Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years of qualifying payments
School vs Clinical Psychologist Salary
| Factor | School | Clinical |
|---|---|---|
| SOC code | 19-3034 | 19-3033 |
| BLS Median | $95,990 | $100,580 |
| Pension | Usually yes | Rarely |
| PSLF eligible | Yes | Sometimes |
| Summer break | Usually | No |
| 90th percentile | $142K | $181K |
| Entry credential | EdS (3yr) | PhD/PsyD (6-7yr) |
Both columns are national OEWS May 2025 figures. School is SOC 19-3034 (School Psychologists) and clinical is SOC 19-3033 (Clinical and Counseling Psychologists); they are separate occupations, not two cuts of the same one.
EdS vs PhD: The School Psychology Credential Path
The Education Specialist (EdS) degree is the entry credential recognized by NASP and most states for school psychology licensure. It typically takes 3 years post-bachelor's (or 2 years post-master's), including a 1,200-hour internship. Total cost is significantly less than a doctoral program.
A PhD in school psychology offers slightly higher pay in university settings and opens research and faculty positions. But for the majority of practitioners working in K-12 settings, the EdS provides equivalent employment access and similar day-to-day compensation. Given the school psychologist shortage, districts are competing for EdS graduates and salaries have risen accordingly.