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What is a school psychology specialist and how to become one
School psychology specialists are not guidance counselors. Yes, student counseling can be part of their many responsibilities, but their purview reaches further than the student body. Their jobs typically require them to maintain a continuous dialogue with parents and even hold counseling sessions for teachers and staff. School psychology specialists research and create school-wide policies that promote environments conducive to the students' learning and development. They also sometimes have a hand in the school curriculum and can advise teachers on their lesson plans.
School psychology specialists are uniquely qualified for their position, often possessing specialized degrees. Some universities offer graduate programs specifically for school psychology, but people who majored in education, business, or counseling have also found success in this career.
School psychology specialists earn, on average, roughly about $45,000 a year--although top earners can make as much as $66,000. We've found that Oregon, California, and Mississippi are among the most lucrative states for school psychology specialists.
Avg. Salary $41,695
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 14%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.20%
Asian 3.34%
Black or African American 6.18%
Hispanic or Latino 10.44%
Unknown 3.44%
White 76.39%
Genderfemale 68.48%
male 31.52%
Age - 42American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 42Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
School psychology specialist career paths
Key steps to become a school psychology specialist
Explore school psychology specialist education requirements
Start to develop specific school psychology specialist skills
Skills Percentages Professional Development 15.66% School Administration 9.02% K-12 7.39% Data Collection 6.78% Classroom Management 6.35% Complete relevant school psychology specialist training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New school psychology specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a school psychology specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real school psychology specialist resumes.Research school psychology specialist duties and responsibilities
- Assist in maintaining DOD certification and assist in achieving and retaining national accreditation.
- Consult with other school staff as necessary to execute the goals of the IEP.
- Work alongside motocross pros Scott Davis and Donnie Hansen in demonstrating rider style and form for a kids' motocross camp.
- Develop materials for specific and generalize programs to model ABA strategies.
Prepare your school psychology specialist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your school psychology specialist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a school psychology specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable school psychology specialist resume templates
Build a professional school psychology specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your school psychology specialist resume.
Apply for school psychology specialist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a school psychology specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first school psychology specialist job
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Average school psychology specialist salary
The average school psychology specialist salary in the United States is $41,695 per year or $20 per hour. School psychology specialist salaries range between $28,000 and $60,000 per year.
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Updated January 8, 2025
