Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between school psychologists and clinical 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 school psychologist and a clinical psychologist. Additionally, a clinical psychologist has an average salary of $97,659, which is higher than the $78,431 average annual salary of a school psychologist.
The top three skills for a school psychologist include professional development, mental health and psychological services. The most important skills for a clinical psychologist are patients, rehabilitation, and clinical psychology.
| School Psychologist | Clinical Psychologist | |
| Yearly salary | $78,431 | $97,659 |
| Hourly rate | $37.71 | $46.95 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 25,457 | 69,762 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A clinical psychologist is a healthcare professional who treats patients with various mental disorders through one-on-one or group settings. Clinical psychologists assist their patients in identifying their psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues so that a plan of action is created to help patients achieve personal and social development. To create a patient treatment plan, clinical psychologists must interview their patients who have different mental problems. They also collaborate with professionals such as social workers, nurses, and occupational therapists to provide the right treatment to their patients.
School psychologists and clinical psychologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| School Psychologist | Clinical Psychologist | |
| Average salary | $78,431 | $97,659 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $110,000 | Between $72,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | CORA Services | Kaiser Permanente |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a school psychologist and a clinical psychologist in terms of educational background:
| School Psychologist | Clinical Psychologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Clinical Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between school psychologists' and clinical psychologists' demographics:
| School Psychologist | Clinical Psychologist | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 37.0% Female, 63.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 12% | 12% |