Life, Physical, and Social Science · Holland code SIC
School Psychologists
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.
Also called: Bilingual School Psychologist, Early Intervention School Psychologist, School Neuropsychologist, School Psychometrist, Autism Consultant, Challenging Behavior Consultant, Educational Diagnostician.
O*NET 19-3034.00
At a glance
- US median annual pay
- $95,990
- Middle half earn $77,470 to $120,310. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- Most common education
- Post-Master's Certificate
- 58% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
- Preparation needed
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Extensive preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
What the work involves
The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.
- 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.
Skills and knowledge it leans on
Skills
- Reading Comprehension4.6 / 5
- Speaking4.6 / 5
- Active Listening4.5 / 5
- Writing4.1 / 5
- Critical Thinking4.1 / 5
- Monitoring4.0 / 5
Knowledge areas
- Psychology5.0 / 5
- Therapy and Counseling4.6 / 5
- Education and Training4.4 / 5
- English Language4.0 / 5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6 / 5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.6 / 5
Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.
Who tends to enjoy it
How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.
- Realistic0
- Investigative67
- Artistic39
- Social96
- Enterprising30
- Conventional50
The same work abroad
Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.
European occupation titles (ESCO)
- learning mentor · DE Lerncoach · FR assistant pédagogique/assistante pédagogique
- educational counsellor · DE Bildungsberater/Bildungsberaterin · FR conseiller en information scolaire/conseillère en information scolaire
- psychologist · DE Psychologe/Psychologin · FR psychologue
- educational psychologist · DE Erziehungspsychologe/Erziehungspsychologin · FR psychologue scolaire
- education welfare officer · DE Schulsozialarbeiter/Schulsozialarbeiterin · FR assistant social en milieu scolaire/assistante sociale en milieu scolaire
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- Clinical psychologists (2225)23,900 employed
- Other psychologists (2226)39,000 employed
- Social workers (2461)139,800 employed
Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.
Pay across Europe, for the whole group
Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.
| Country | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Belgium | €61,714 |
| Germany | €59,529 |
| Ireland | €56,877 |
| Austria | €55,374 |
| Netherlands | €53,595 |
| Sweden | €43,567 |
| France | €41,515 |
| Spain | €35,735 |
| Italy | €33,649 |
| Portugal | €26,072 |
| Poland | €14,380 |
Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.
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