phd in school psychology salary

Psychologist - Ph.D. Salary in the United States

Psychologist - ph.d. salary.

How much does a Psychologist - Ph.D. make in the United States? The average Psychologist - Ph.D. salary in the United States is $115,454 as of March 26, 2024, but the range typically falls between $104,960 and $128,302 . Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education , certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target. 

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What skills does a Psychologist - Ph.D. need?

Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

Leadership: Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.

CPA: A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals.

Psychological Evaluations: A psychological evaluation may consist of a series of formal or structured psychological or neuropsychological tests as well as clinical interviews designed to identify and describe emotional, behavioral, or learning problems.

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Job Description for Psychologist - Ph.D.

Psychologist - Ph.D. evaluates patients for mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Diagnoses disorders, including nature and extent, and determines the appropriate course of treatment for the patient. Being a Psychologist - Ph.D. uses talk therapy to treat patient illness or distress, cannot prescribe medication. Requires a PhD in clinical psychology. Additionally, Psychologist - Ph.D. requires a valid state license to practice. Typically reports to a medical director. The Psychologist - Ph.D. works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. To be a Psychologist - Ph.D. typically requires 10+ years of related experience. (Copyright 2024 Salary.com)... View full job description

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Psychologist - Ph.D. Pay Difference by Location

Psychologist - Ph.D. salary varies from city to city. Compared with national average salary of Psychologist - Ph.D., the highest Psychologist - Ph.D. salary is in San Francisco, CA, where the Psychologist - Ph.D. salary is 25.0% above. The lowest Psychologist - Ph.D. salary is in Miami, FL, where the Psychologist - Ph.D. salary is 3.5% lower than national average salary.

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Should I Get a Master’s or PhD in School Psychology?

Industry Advice Healthcare

Psychology is a diverse field that offers multiple career paths, many of which are in high demand due to the toll the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people of all ages.

School psychology is an excellent option for someone interested in working with children and making a difference in their lives. Currently, the profession is facing a shortage of qualified school psychologists due to the pandemic and a general lack of awareness about the field. However, school psychology has consistently ranked among the 100 Best Jobs in U.S. News and World Report based on many factors including a good work-life balance and upward mobility potential.

Read on to learn more about working as a school psychologist, the educational requirements to become one, and how Northeastern University can get you started.

What Is School Psychology?

According to Amy Briesch , associate professor and director of School Psychology (PhD) at Northeastern, says “school psychology is very hard to put into a box.” Your responsibilities can vary based on your state and district, but ultimately, the main objective is to support student academics and mental health.

Mental Health Support

School psychologists are different from school counselors. School psychologists study how mental health concerns, like anxiety, can negatively affect student behavior. From there, they can diagnose and address the issue. School counselors do not have the training or expertise to tackle these challenges.

School psychologists provide one-on-one and group counseling to students. They work to improve students’ communication and social skills, assess their needs, reinforce problem-solving, coping skills, conflict resolution, etc. They also focus on preventative work and provide classroom interventions if needed.

Academic Support

School psychologists are trained in evidence-based interventions across academic areas (e.g., reading, math) to help students in need. They work to motivate students, monitor their progress, conduct psychological and academic assessments, and manage classroom behavior. They also provide consultation to teachers on the best methods for struggling students.

Master’s vs. PhD in School Psychology

If school psychology sounds like the right career for you, it’s essential to determine the educational requirements required to get hired and succeed in your field. Explore the differences between a master’s and PhD below.

Master’s in School Psychology

If you’re interested in working in a school, a master’s degree is required to work as a licensed school psychologist in most states.

After earning your bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to find an accredited program to get your master’s, like the Master of Science (MS) and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in School Psychology offered at Northeastern. This is a three-year, fully accredited program through the National Association of School Psychologists and the Massachusetts State Department of Education.

Your curriculum will likely include some, if not all, of the following courses:

• Introduction to Cognitive Assessment
• Behavior Management
• Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
• Understanding Culture and Diversity

The program requires 62 semester hours and a one-year internship or practicum consisting of at least 1,200 hours, half of which must be completed in a school setting.

NASP-accredited programs, like Northeastern’s , ensure students have the necessary requirements to obtain licensure, meaning they can move directly into the field upon graduation.

Once you’ve completed your degree and obtained your initial license, the final step is applying for your professional license. This requires a passing grade on the Praxis II exam (which is a degree requirement at many institutions, such as Northeastern), as well as three years of experience working in the field.

PhD in School Psychology

Public schools are not the only settings in which a school psychologist can work. Private schools, universities, and clinical settings also hire school psychologists but typically require that they hold a PhD or doctoral degree.

A PhD program provides ample opportunities for students to explore individual interests. Northeastern’s School Psychology Doctoral Program (SPDP) prepares school psychologists to work in various settings, such as schools, universities, clinics, and hospitals. Coursework in this program focuses on research and fieldwork to help students develop skills in research, intervention, assessment, and consultation. While this additional degree isn’t required to become a school psychologist, it may be the perfect option for those looking to break into psychology research.

If you want to work in a public-school setting, there is no major advantage to having a doctoral degree in school psychology. In fact, school psychology is the only subdiscipline of psychology where graduates can use the title of psychologist without a doctoral degree.

However, if you’re interested in research as well as the flexibility of working in other settings such as universities or clinics, you’ll want to pursue a PhD.

Whichever you decide is best for you, Northeastern University’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences offers accredited programs for every step of your journey to becoming a school psychologist.

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Advanced degree holders earn a salary an average 25% higher than bachelor's degree holders. (Economic Policy Institute, 2021)

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School Psychologist Salary Guide 2024

What’s in this guide.

• What Salary Can I Expect to Earn as a School Psychologist? 

Which US Cities Are Paying School Psychologists the Most?

Which us states are paying school psychologists the most, how does the salary of school psychologists compare to other psychology subfields, complete your master’s degree in psychology, earn a doctorate degree in psychology (ph.d. or psyd) , become a certified specialist with the american board of professional psychology .

By PsychologyJobs.com Staff Writer

If you are interested in pursuing a career in psychology, finding your area of specialty will help you decide where you want to work. Individuals who enjoy working with kids may want to check out their region’s school psychologist salary range before deciding to join a career field. 

What Salary Can I Expect to Earn as a School Psychologist?

If you are considering following a career path as a  school psychologist , your salary range can vary, depending on several factors, including:

• Education and training
• Certifications
• The school setting, such as primary, college, or private educational institutions

The average salary for a school psychologist in the United States will fall between $60,000 and $90,000, with an entry-level position starting at around $60,000 annually.

Of course, the more time you spend building experience and obtaining education and certifications, the higher your salary will be. For example, school psychologists that have a Ph.D. will typically earn more than those without it, even in entry-level positions.

In addition, some locations will offer school psychologists a higher salary than others. This difference can be due to a need for more available candidates, remote areas where it is difficult to attract employees, or high-paying educational facilities.

Therefore, the same position in one school setting may have a better compensation package than elsewhere. If you are open to relocation, you could find a better school psychologist salary offer away from your current residence.

It can be a lucrative career move to apply for school psychologist jobs where they pay the most, especially if you are looking for the best entry-level salary possible.

So naturally, when your school psychologist salary starts higher, annual increases and bonuses continually maintain a higher-than-average wage. Here is a list of the US cities that pay entry-level school psychologists the most.

• Santa Rosa, CA : $138,550
• Jefferson City, Missouri : $133,640
• Los Angeles, CA : $125,020
• San Diego, CA : $121,490
• Oxnard, CA : $120,830
• San Fransisco, CA : $112,961
• Atkinson, NE : $110,916
• Bolinas, CA : $106,491
• San Jose, CA : $100,631
• Salem, OR : $99,613

The trend of higher-paying school psychologist jobs in California is evident. However, some other US states will also offer higher salaries if you do not live in this region or cannot relocate there.

Out of all 52 US states, finding top-paying locations is a terrific way to earn as much as possible in your career field. After examining average school psychologist salary amounts across the country, here is a list of the ten highest-paying US states and their typical salaries.

• New Mexico : $136,704
• California : $115,830
• Hawaii : $110,780
• Louisiana : $109,180
• Oregon : $108,000
• District of Columbia : $106,920
• Alaska : $102,218
• Utah : $96,736
• North Dakota : $89,640
• Maryland : $88,556

As you can see from this list, many of these locations are in less populated regions or along the borders.

Pursuing a career in psychology can be rewarding and lucrative, with some subfields providing higher salaries than others. Typically, you can find three fields where a trained psychologist can work, including: 

• Clinical settings
• Counseling environments
• School facilities 

Of course, they can be an overlap of these fields in many situations. For example, a school psychologist may also need to provide counseling to the family members of a student.

A clinical psychologist will bring in the highest salary out of the three major psychology subfields. However, comparing the school psychologist salary range to these other subfields, it is generally competitive with those working in counseling environments.

School psychologists can make a similar wage or higher than someone working in a counseling practice. But, of course, certifications, training, and experience will affect your eligibility for a higher salary.

How Do I Advance My Career as a School Psychologist and Earn More?

It is natural to want to advance your career as you gain experience. The more training and experience you have, the better your chance of earning more. So, what should you do to help your career as a school psychologist to gain a better salary? 

Here are some ways to advance your career and earn more money as a school psychologist. 

• Complete your master’s degree in psychology
• Earn a doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D. or PsyD)
• Become a certified specialist with the American Board of Professional Psychology 

Many school psychologists can earn a good living with their bachelor’s degree. However, if you are looking to make more money, continuing your education to complete your  master’s degree  will put you in the top 14% of graduates who seek advancement.

A school psychologist who wants a higher salary can earn a doctoral degree in psychology. There are  two options , depending on the career path you want to explore. The Ph.D. is more research-based for school psychologists, while the PsyD covers a more clinical approach.

Although it is optional to become board certified with the  American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) , it can be beneficial. A licensed school psychologist who ABPP recognizes as a certified specialist can be in higher demand and a more attractive candidate for positions providing better salaries.

NASP: The National Association of School Psychologists

• A Career in School Psychology: Selecting a Master’s, Specialist, or Doctoral Degree Program that Meets Your Needs

In This Section

• Applying for Grants and Fellowships
• Self Care: Tips for Graduate Students
• Funding Opportunities for Graduate Students
• The Extracurricular Activities of a Future School Psychologist
• Making the Most of Your Convention Experience: A Guide for Students
• Guidance on Graduate Student Legislative Advocacy
• Transitioning to Graduate School: Tips for Newly Accepted Students
• Preparing for Faculty Careers in School Psychology
• Staying on Top of Graduate Research Projects
• Successfully Navigating School-Based Training Experiences: A Guide for Graduate Students
• Specializing in Graduate School: Make the Most of Your Coursework, Electives, and Fieldwork
• Starting a Local Graduate Student Organization
• Bringing Your Vita to Life: Preparing for Internship and Early Career Positions
• Tips for Effective Interviewing: Securing a School Psychology Internship
• Doctoral Training in School Psychology: Navigating the Internship and Application Process
• Developing Your Professional Portfolio
• Selecting a School Psychology Internship: Tips for Graduate Students
• Student Fundraising: Finding Ways to Support Student Groups
• Writing for Success: A Student Guide to Publishing Your Work
• Making the Most of Supervision: Guidance for Graduate Students
• Developing and Maintaining Professional Relationships as a Graduate Student
• Alternative Careers and Additional Training for School Psychologists

Selecting the right career is an important step and deserves your careful consideration. This fact sheet provides prospective graduate students with important information on the differences between master’s, specialist, and doctoral degree programs, all while exploring the benefits and drawbacks associated with those degrees.

What Are Your Career Goals?

Answering this difficult question requires identifying your interests, accepting your weaknesses, capitalizing on your strengths, and identifying short-term and long-term goals in relation to personal interests and aspirations. Your goals should ideally match to the various kinds of training programs. Broadly, school psychologists tend to fall mostly in one of the following career paths:

• Practitioner in school psychology: Credentialed school psychologists apply the principles, research, and methods of school psychology in school settings. Services are often directly provided to clients as assessment, counseling, intervention, and prevention or indirectly as school and parent consultation, program development and evaluation, crisis prevention and intervention, wellness promotion, and school-based research.
• Administration and Policy Development : Some school psychologists, particularly those with practitioner experience, may assume supervisory and administrative responsibilities within school districts or community and government agencies. Their responsibilities include direct supervision of school psychologists and other personnel, as well as administrative tasks such as hiring, staff evaluation, budgeting, and policy development. Often such positions require an administrative or supervisory credential from the state.
• School Psychology Faculty : These school psychologists spend the majority of their professional time training new school psychologists. As trainers, their emphasis is typically on transmitting current theories, research, and clinical practices to learners; overseeing field experiences; providing exposure to research methods; and introducing students to the methods and issues of daily practice. As researchers, they devote their time to studying issues related to student achievement, behavior, and mental health in order to help establish strategies which lead to improved outcomes for children and youth.

A specialist degree will typically serve as an entry level to careers as a practitioner, while a doctoral degree will usually be needed for careers in research and academia. Individuals who want to pursue the option of academic teaching and/or research are advised to seek training programs offering doctoral degrees and direct research experience. Individuals committed to school-based practice who are not interested in the research requirements of most doctoral programs should seek training programs for the attainment of specialist-level degrees.

Several states require that students graduate from NASP-approved programs or those whose content has been determined to be at a NASP-approved level. NASP-approved school psychology programs provide appropriate education and training that meet the goals of the national association. However, programs without NASP approval are not necessarily of lower quality. Some programs choose not to go through the approval process. Additionally, newer programs require time to develop a track record demonstrating that they meet NASP standards. Moreover, graduates from NASP-approved program typically have an easier time becoming Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP). The NCSP is a national standard that is viewed as a measure of professionalism by potential employers and other professionals. Currently, 29 states accept the NCSP as an alternative route to state credentialing as a school psychologist.

The Letters in Your Degree

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS/CAS) - typically awarded in conjunction with Masters degrees of 60 semester credits or more in programs located in the Northeastern/Eastern United States.

Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) - Awarded only to school psychologists who have completed a minimum of a specialist-level program, 1,200+ hour internship, and obtained a passing score on the Praxis II exam in school psychology.

Master's Degree (Less than 60 Semester Credits)

Completion time: A master’s degree typically requires 3 years of graduate coursework including an internship or fieldwork for state certification.

Advantages: The practice-related coursework is often similar to specialist-level programs.

Disadvantages: School psychology certification typically requires a minimum of a specialist-level degree. Employment opportunities may be limited to states that accept psychometrists or diagnosticians.

Specialist Degree or Equivalent (Master’s Degree Totaling 60 Semester Credits or More)

Please note: Many programs award a master’s degree either before or after completing the third year internship. As long as the program is a minimum of 60 credits and requires a minimum of a 1,200 hour internship, these programs are considered “specialist equivalents.”

Completion time: A specialist degree or equivalent typically requires 3 years; however, a few programs require 4 years of graduate coursework, including a year-long internship for certification.

Advantages: According to NASP, a specialist degree is generally accepted for certification as a school psychologist across the states, allowing for full professional practice within a public school setting. Practice-related coursework is often similar or identical to coursework required in school psychology doctoral programs. However, specialist programs are shorter in duration than doctoral programs, and many students have fieldwork or practicum opportunities in the schools during the first year of coursework. Typically, training programs accept more specialist-level students than doctoral-level students on a yearly basis. A specialist degree may allow for nontenure track university positions such as lecturer or adjunct faculty member. After 3 years of full-time employment, school psychologists with master’s or specialist degrees are eligible to provide field-based supervision to school psychology trainees and interns.

Disadvantages: Most programs require full-time educational plans beginning in the fall semester. Furthermore, it may be more difficult to obtain higher-level administrative positions in a school district or to pursue career opportunities outside the school setting without a doctorate and/or administrative credential. Assistantships, grants, and fellowships to pay for graduate education tend to be more limited than those of doctoral programs. If you decide to pursue a doctoral degree later, your doctoral program may require additional internship experience and may not transfer all of your previous graduate coursework (number of credits transferred varies greatly across programs).

Doctoral Degree

Completion time: A doctoral degree typically requires 5–7 years of postbaccalaureate study, including a year of internship and a dissertation. Programs incorporate research training into program objectives.

Advantages: A doctoral degree prepares students for careers as academicians or practitioners in a variety of settings (mental health centers and clinics, hospitals, research firms, and testing companies). Doctoral designation may be regarded as increased credibility in some career opportunities. Doctoral-level graduates are recognized as full-member psychologists by the American Psychological Association (APA). Most doctoral students obtain assistantships and other forms of financial assistance. At a state level, graduates are eligible for licensure as independent psychologists provided they complete a program approved by NASP and accredited by APA.

Disadvantages: Most programs require full-time educational plans beginning in the fall semester. Admittance to doctoral programs is very competitive. PsyD programs typically offer less financial assistance in comparison to PhD programs.

PhD, EdD, PsyD: What Are The Differences?

In school psychology, there are three different doctoral degrees: the PhD, EdD, and PsyD. A few distinctions among the three different doctoral degrees in school psychology are mentioned below.

In graduate school: The number of required credits varies across programs and is unrelated to the type of doctoral degree. Generally speaking, EdD training focuses on skills and theory directed towards educational practice. For the PsyD, training typically focuses on areas of clinical work, and is preferred by students with less interest in research. PhD coursework tends to be more theoretical and experimental in nature. While all types of doctoral degrees in school psychology require a dissertation, the type of dissertation will vary in focus, depth, and breadth according to the degree.

In academia: The PhD is notably considered the research degree, and the majority of individuals in academia hold this distinction. Universities and research/test publishing firms typically employ individuals with a doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, PsyD) and related experience.

In the schools: The type of doctoral degree earned may not differentiate pay scale or job opportunity. If a doctoral stipend is offered to a practicing school psychologist, it is usually offered to anyone holding a doctorate. Positions such as an administrator are typically held by individuals holding an appropriate administrative credential and any of the above doctorates.

In clinical and private practice: The minimum requirements are not specific to the type of doctoral degree. However, each state licensing board specifies a minimum number of hours of internship, practice, types of experience, specific coursework, and the need to have graduated from an accredited program in order to obtain licensure. In addition, some states require training in specific fields of psychology (e.g., clinical, counseling psychology) for private practice. Regardless of what type of school psychology doctoral degree, it is important to examine state requirements to ensure that the program of interest meets the minimum requirements for state board licensure.

American Psychological Association. (2010). Graduate study in psychology. Author.

American Psychological Association. (2007). Getting in: A step-by-step plan for gaining admission to graduate school in psychology (2nd Ed.). Author.

Fagan, T. K., & Sachs Wise, P. (2007). School psychology: Past, present and future (3rd ed.). National Association of School Psychologists.

National Association of School Psychologists. (n.d.). Selecting a Graduate Program. Retrieved from https://www.nasponline.org/about-school-psychology/selecting-a-graduate-program

Norcross, J. C., & Castle, P. H. (2002). Appreciating the PsyD: The facts. Eye on Psi Chi , 7, 22–26.

This fact sheet was initiated by Janeann M. Lineman, PhD, NCSP, and Bethany Mildren while they were graduate students in school psychology at Barry University and the University of Kansas, respectively, and it was prepared by Anna M. Peña, NCSP, during her tenure as a graduate assistant in the NASP office. The content was updated in 2020 by Eric R. Field, a first year PhD student at the University of Kansas.

Printable Version

Related Resources

Student Connections Articles Collect of articles from the Student Connections colummn in Communiqué .

Get Involved Learn how to get involved in the association to make the most of your membership and advance you career.

Awards, Scholarships, & Grants Get information on applying for grants and scholarships, and nominating a recipient for NASP's award programs.

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Salary Outlook with PhD in Educational Psychology

Educational psychologists study children in every age group and how they learn. As they investigate how children process social, emotional, and cognitive stimuli, they perform assessments based on how the child reacts to stimuli. They use this information to identify learning, social, and behavioral problems that affect the child’s learning.

Educational psychology has grown beyond preschool and elementary schools to help adults in educational settings. Adults who have learning disabilities may benefit from working with educational psychologists. ( TUW.edu ).

Some of the areas of focus in this degree program are teaching, testing, assessment methods, psychometrics, classroom and learning environments, and learning, social, and behavioral problems that can slow the learning process. ( WSU.edu ).

Other topics of note in educational psychology programs are:

• Educational technology: Understanding how different types of technology help students learn.
• Instructional design: Designing innovative learning materials.
• Special education: Helping students who might need specialized instruction.
• Curriculum development: Devising curriculums that improve the learning process.
• Organizational learning: Studying how children and adults learn in an organizational setting.
• Gifted learners: Assisting students who have been identified as gifted learners.

Graduates in educational psychology can expect to find work in school districts, universities, private companies, or state and local social service agencies.

To become an educational psychologist, it is required to earn a Ph.D. in the field. If you are interested in this degree, below is detailed salary information for educational psychologists with a Ph.D.

Ph.D. in Educational Psychology Salary Information

American Psychological Association (APA)

According to the APA, educational psychologists with a postgraduate degree earn a median salary of $75,000 per year. ( APA.org ). That organization also reported that most psychologists of all types earn between $60,000 and $120,000.

To earn more money, the APA reported that the Middle Atlantic region paid the most with a salary of $108,000 per year. Psychologists in the East South Central region earned $59,000 per year.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median salary for all psychologists was $79,010 as of May 2018. The lowest 10% earned less than $43,800, and the top 10% earned more than $129,000 per year. Median wages for psychologists by specialty were: ( BLS.gov )

• All other psychologists: $100,700
• Industrial-organizational psychologists: $97,200
• Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists: $76,900

Salaries for psychologists in different fields were:

• Government: $96,400
• Hospitals: $86,500
• Ambulatory healthcare services: $79,100
• Elementary and secondary schools: $75,800

Another common occupation for professionals with this degree is postsecondary education administrator. The median salary for professionals in this field was $94,300 in May 2018. The top 10% earned more than $190,000 per year. ( BLS.gov ).

• Colleges and universities: $95,900
• Junior colleges: $90,400

Ziprecruiter.com

Ziprecruiter.com reports the national average salary for educational psychologists is $93,175 per year with a range between $23,000 and $215,000. ( Ziprecruiter.com ). The site reports the typical range for this field is between $64,000 and $99,000. Also, it notes that there could be fewer opportunities for higher salary and advancement based on skill level. Instead, increased pay can come based on location and years of work experience.

Payscale.com

Payscale.com reports the average educational psychologist’s salary is $72,000, with a range between $48,000 and $103,000. ( Payscale.com ). The website also states that an early career educational psychologist with one to four years of work experience earns $70,000 per year, while a psychologist with five to nine years of experience earns $82,000 per year.

Glassdoor.com

Glassdoor.com reports the average salary for educational psychologists is $78,400, with a range between $55,000 and $104,000. ( Glassdoor.com )

Indeed.com reports the average salary for educational psychologists is between $64,300 to $95,700 per year. ( Indeed.com ). The website also reported the following salaries:

• Psychologist: $86,100
• Clinical psychologist: $95,700
• Assistant professor: $63,400

Salary.com reports the average educational psychologist salary is $78,163 with a range between $61,995 and $147,500. ( Salary.com ).

Job Demand for Ph.D. in Educational Psychology

The overall demand for psychologists will grow by 14% through 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. ( BLS.gov ).

Employment for counseling, clinical, and educational psychologists will grow because of enhanced demand for psychological services in hospitals,  mental health centers, schools, and social service agencies. Demand for counseling and clinical psychologists will rise as people are more often turning to psychologists to help them with their mental health issues.

Psychologists also will be needed to offer services to a population that is getting older, and to help them to handle the physical and mental changes of aging. Psychological services also will be required for veterans that suffered from war trauma.

Job demand for postsecondary education administrators will grow by 7% from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than average. Growth is expected due to higher student enrollment in universities and colleges.

People will seek postsecondary education to gain better skills in the modern employment market; the significant advances in technology mean that more workers must have greater levels of skill to earn a good living in America. As more students go to college, there will be more postsecondary educators needed to serve the needs of students. ( BLS.gov ).

Educational psychologists are employed in critical work today, with many in the field focusing on the educational development of children, adults, and adolescents. Others focus on people with learning challenges, such as ADHD or dyslexia. Whatever your specialty or population focus, this work is vital to ensure that people are given the learning tools they need to succeed.

Earning a Ph.D. in educational psychology offers the student a high potential salary in psychological research, or an institution of higher learning. The career potential with this advanced degree makes it worth exploring if you have a passion for educational psychology.

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Psychologist Salary Info: The 9 Highest Paying Careers

Which psychology jobs pay the best salary?

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Psychology can be a high-paying job, but it is important to recognize that there is tremendous diversity among psychology professions, and  salaries and yearly earnings are just as varied. In a struggling economy, many students have turned their interest toward some of the highest-paying careers in psychology. The highest-paying psychologist career salaries average around $167,000.

While many psychology careers have a higher-than-average yearly salary, it is important to remember that actual income depends upon various factors, including geographic location, employment sector, educational background, and years of experience.

Learn more about some of the highest-paying psychology careers, the typical salaries for such professions, and the educational requirements for entering these fields.

Psychiatrist

Average Salary:  $216,090 per year

Educational Requirements:  Considered a medical career, psychiatry is significantly tied to the study and application of psychology. Approximately eight years of post-undergraduate study. After earning a bachelor's degree, aspiring psychiatrists must graduate from medical school and then complete a four-year residency.

Psychiatry is one of the highest-paying fields tied to psychology. However, salaries can vary considerably within this field depending upon your specialty area , where you are employed, and the type of work you perform.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Average Salary: $105,310

Educational Requirements: In most cases, a master's degree in psychology is the minimum training required, although having a doctorate degree may be to your advantage. While there are opportunities available at the master's degree level, earning a doctorate degree in industrial-organizational psychology offers greater opportunities and higher salaries.

Industrial-organizational psychologists use their knowledge of psychology to tackle workplace issues. Increasing worker productivity, selecting the best employees for particular jobs, and developing market research surveys are just a few things that an industrial-organizational psychologist might do.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that I/O psychologists in the scientific research and development industry earned an average annual wage of $122,660. Those employed at colleges, universities, and professional schools earned an average of $110,070.

According to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology , the average salary for a doctorate-level consultant was $167,000.

Neuropsychologist

Average Salary: $90,460 per year

Educational Requirements: A doctorate degree in neuropsychology or clinical neuropsychology is needed to work in this field.

Neuropsychologists specialize in the study of the brain and cognitive science.   People who work in this field often perform cognitive tests, run brain scans, assess people suffering from brain injury, and study how drugs impact the nervous system. They may work at colleges and universities, hospitals, research centers, mental health clinics, and pharmaceutical labs.

Clinical Psychologist

Average Salary: $81,330 per year

Educational Requirements: In most states, clinical psychologists must have a doctorate degree in psychology. In addition to this education, they must also complete one to two years of supervised residency and pass state licensing exams in order to practice as a licensed clinical psychologist.

Clinical psychologists are trained in assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness. This is also the largest area of employment within psychology. Clinical psychologists work in various settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, and private practice.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that in May 2019, those employed in individual and family services earned an average of $85,140. Those employed in the offices of other health practitioners earned an average of $100,300 per year.

Engineering Psychologist

Average Salary: $79,818 per year

Educational Requirements: Entry-level positions require a master's degree, but those with a doctorate will find greater employment opportunities and better salaries.

Engineering psychologists work to improve the design of systems, operations, and equipment in order to increase efficiency, improve productivity, and minimize injury. As with other specialty areas of psychology, the area of employment plays a major role in determining salary. Engineering psychologists who work in the private sector earn considerably more than those employed in university settings.

Counseling Psychologist

Average Salary: $72,540 per year

Educational Requirements: A PhD, PsyD , or EdD degree is required to become a counseling psychologist.

Counseling psychologists perform many of the same tasks as clinical psychologists such as offering psychotherapy and mental health treatment, but they typically work with clients suffering from less severe forms of mental illness.

While mental health is one of the largest areas within counseling psychology, some people in this field opt to conduct research. They also teach university courses or provide vocational counseling.

Forensic Psychologist

Average Salary: $59,440

Educational Requirements: While there are some jobs available with a master's degree, you will typically need a doctorate degree in clinical, counseling, or forensic psychology.

Forensic psychologists deal with psychological issues related to the law. Some of the duties that a professional in this field might perform include developing psychological profiles of criminals, dealing with child custody issues, investigating child abuse, providing expert testimony, preparing witnesses to testify in court, and offering training to law enforcement.

School Psychologist

Average Salary: $58,360

Educational Requirements: Most states require completing a 60-credit school psychology specialist program, which leads to a master's or EdS degree. Approximately 32% of school psychologists hold a PhD , PsyD, or EdD degree.

School psychologists work within the educational system to diagnose and treat behavior and learning problems in children. They often collaborate with other professionals, including teachers and doctors as well as parents, to help kids overcome social, emotional, behavioral, and academic problems.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, jobs in this field are expected to grow by approximately 10% over the next decade.

Sports Psychologist

Average Salary:  $55,000 per year

Educational Requirements:  Most jobs require a master's or doctorate degree in sports psychology or in related areas such as clinical or counseling psychology. Sports psychologists  are interested in the psychological components of sports and athletics.  

Professionals in this field often focus on topics such as  motivation  and athletic performance. They utlizie their knowledge of psychology to help athletes perform better or to help people recover from sports injuries.

While salaries for sports psychologists typically range between $60,000 and $80,000, those working with professional athletes often earn over six figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

While specific salaries vary depending on factors including experience and location, psychiatry tends to be the highest-paying psychology-related career.

They can! However, it is important to recognize that individual salaries vary a great deal. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for psychologists is $81,040. However, the lowest paid 10% made less than $47,850 per year. Your own salary may depend on factors such as your specialty, training, experience, area of employment, and geographic location.

Psychology can be a good career if it is suited to your interests and goals. The field is expected to experience modest growth in the coming year, and there are always opportunities for growth depending on where your interests lie. The growing need for mental health services and an aging population means that there will be a need for trained psychologists.

A Word From Verywell

Choosing a career is a big decision, and the salary is just one of many factors you need to consider. Money is an important component, but factors such as job outlook and quality of life are also essential.

So is becoming a psychologist worth it? Only you can decide. Think about how a particular career may suit your personality and goals in life before committing. In the end, the best job for you is the one you will enjoy the most and fulfills your personal and professional needs.

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By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."