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Clinical psychologist-licensed vs school psychologist

The differences between clinical psychologist-licenseds and school psychologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clinical psychologist-licensed and a school psychologist. Additionally, a clinical psychologist-licensed has an average salary of $96,135, which is higher than the $78,431 average annual salary of a school psychologist.

The top three skills for a clinical psychologist-licensed include rehabilitation, patients and family therapy. The most important skills for a school psychologist are professional development, mental health, and psychological services.

Clinical psychologist-licensed vs school psychologist overview

Clinical Psychologist-LicensedSchool Psychologist
Yearly salary$96,135$78,431
Hourly rate$46.22$37.71
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs83,52625,457
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does a clinical psychologist-licensed do?

A licensed clinical psychologist specializes in diagnosing and treating various emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues. Part of their job is to conduct initial interviews and assessments to identify the patients' needs, study their medical history, coordinate with fellow health care professionals, develop intervention and treatment plans, and provide regular counseling sessions, monitoring the patients' progress. They may also conduct research and analyses, assess the clients' risks, and work together with the clients' families to ensure the client's welfare.

What does a school psychologist do?

School psychologists are knowledgeable professionals whose responsibilities include identifying, addressing, and overcoming the educational and behavioral needs of school-aged children. They generally work in schools and focus their observations on children and youth who often face issues related to education, social relationships, decision-making, as well as managing emotions. They help families, counselors, and members of the community understand and solve these issues the children may encounter. Additionally, they provide comprehensive psychological services to help students achieve academic, behavioral, social, and emotional success.

Clinical psychologist-licensed vs school psychologist salary

Clinical psychologist-licenseds and school psychologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Psychologist-LicensedSchool Psychologist
Average salary$96,135$78,431
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $129,000Between $55,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyKaiser PermanenteCORA Services
Best paying industryProfessionalEducation

Differences between clinical psychologist-licensed and school psychologist education

There are a few differences between a clinical psychologist-licensed and a school psychologist in terms of educational background:

Clinical Psychologist-LicensedSchool Psychologist
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorClinical PsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityNorthwestern University

Clinical psychologist-licensed vs school psychologist demographics

Here are the differences between clinical psychologist-licenseds' and school psychologists' demographics:

Clinical Psychologist-LicensedSchool Psychologist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 30.8% Female, 69.2%Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 3.3% White, 76.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 3.3% White, 76.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between clinical psychologist-licensed and school psychologist duties and responsibilities

Clinical psychologist-licensed example responsibilities.

  • Provide individual and family psychotherapy for adult and geriatric nursing-home patients including crisis intervention, treatment planning, and medical consultations.
  • Provide parent-support and training for parents with toddlers or young children recently diagnose with an autism spectrum disorder.
  • Provide psychological screening, evaluation, and treatment for individuals in rehabilitation and nursing home settings.
  • Generate positive results from recommendations such as decreasing PRN usage, minimizing require staff observations, and discharging previously problematic patients.
  • Conduct psychological and psychoeducational testing evaluations for disability and vocational rehabilitation.
  • Provide cognitive behavioral treatment for members with PTSD from combat and sexual assault.
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School psychologist example responsibilities.

  • Work alongside grade-level teachers and lead small math groups for both remedial and advance students.
  • Lead small student groups addressing social skills, friendship-making, divorce, ADHD, organizational skills and homework completion.
  • Provide brief evidence-base individual, couple, and group psychotherapy to veterans refer for mental health treatment.
  • Provide individual and family interventions to geriatric patients in nursing home facilities for long term care and rehabilitation treatment.
  • Participate on the weekly DBT consultation team.
  • Motivate kids to stay in school and improve their social skills.
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Clinical psychologist-licensed vs school psychologist skills

Common clinical psychologist-licensed skills
  • Rehabilitation, 13%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Family Therapy, 11%
  • Group Therapy, 9%
  • Mental Illness, 7%
  • Social Work, 7%
Common school psychologist skills
  • Professional Development, 18%
  • Mental Health, 13%
  • Psychological Services, 7%
  • K-12, 7%
  • Crisis Intervention, 4%
  • Autism, 3%

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