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Jobs, Salaries and Career after Masters in School Psychology - Updated 2023
2020 median Pay for School Psychology
The median annual wage for school and career counselors and advisors was $58,120 in May 2020.
Pay
Most counselors and advisors who work in schools and colleges may not work when school is not in session, such as during the summer.
Best paying jobs for Psychology - Updated 2022
Number of Jobs for School Psychology
Number of Jobs in 2020 was 322,000
Education required
Master's degree
Job Outlook for School Psychology
Employment of school and career counselors and advisors is projected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 35,000 openings for school and career counselors and advisors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Job description of School Psychology
School counselors help students develop academic and social skills and plans for after graduation. Career counselors and advisors help students and other clients develop skills, explore an occupation, or choose an educational program that will lead to a career.
Duties
School counselors typically do the following:
- Help students understand and overcome social or behavioral challenges
- Analyze data to identify factors, such as poor attendance, that negatively affect academic performance
- Advise individuals and small groups based on their needs
- Work with students to develop skills that support learning, such as effective time management and study habits
- Evaluate students’ abilities and interests through aptitude assessments and interviews
- Collaborate with teachers and families to help students plan academic, career, and social goals
- Teach students and school staff about specific topics such as bullying and drug use
- Present options to students for educational or vocational plans after graduation
- Maintain records as required
- Report cases of possible neglect or abuse and refer students and parents to resources for additional support
The specific duties of school counselors vary with their students' ages.
Elementary school counselors visit classrooms or meet with students individually or in groups to help them develop their social and academic skills. They also meet with parents or guardians to discuss the child’s strengths and weaknesses, challenges, or special needs. School counselors work with teachers and administrators to ensure that the curriculum addresses students’ developmental and academic needs.
Middle school counselors work with school staff and families to help students improve their decision-making, study, and social skills. These counselors support students going through challenges in school or at home and offer one-on-one meetings to discuss these challenges. Middle school counselors also assist students in their transition to high school, preparing them for the next level of academic and social development.
High school counselors advise students in making academic and career plans. Many help students overcome personal issues that interfere with their academic development. They help students choose classes and plan for their lives after graduation. Counselors provide information about choosing and applying for colleges, training programs, financial aid, and internships and apprenticeships. They may present career lessons to help students learn how to search and apply for jobs.
Career counselors and advisors typically do the following:
- Use aptitude and achievement assessments to help students or clients evaluate their interests, skills, and abilities
- Evaluate students’ or clients’ background, education, and training, to help them develop realistic goals
- Guide students in making decisions about careers, such as choosing an occupation and the type of degree to pursue
- Help students select and apply for educational programs to obtain the necessary degrees, credentials, and skills
- Teach students or clients job-search skills, such as interviewing and networking
- Assist clients in locating and applying for jobs, by teaching them strategies that will be helpful in finding openings and writing a résumé
The specific duties of career counselors and advisors vary by student or client.
Career coaches work with people who have already entered the workforce. These counselors develop plans with customized objectives and activities to improve their clients’ careers. They motivate their clients and support them to achieve the goals they set together. Career coaches also provide advice about entering a new occupation or helping to resolve workplace issues.
College advisors help students choose a major or determine the jobs they are qualified for with their degrees. These advisors also help people find and get jobs by teaching them job search, résumé writing, and interviewing techniques. College advisors often specialize in counseling students in one area of the college experience, such as admissions or financial aid.
Some career counselors work in outplacement firms and assist laid-off workers with transitioning into new jobs or careers.
How to become School Psychology
School counselors typically must have a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field and have a state-issued credential. Some states require licensure for career counselors and advisors.
Education
Nearly all states and the District of Columbia require school counselors to have a master's degree, which is typically in a field such as counseling or psychology. Degree programs teach counselors the essential skills of the job, such as how to foster development; conduct group and individual counseling; work with support systems, such as parents, school staff, and community organizations; and use data to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive counseling programs. These programs often require counselors to complete an internship.
Some employers prefer that career counselors have a master’s degree in counseling with a focus on career development. Career counseling programs prepare students to assess clients’ skills and interests and to teach career development techniques. For career or academic advisors, employers may prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree and work experience.
Master’s degree programs in counseling usually require students to have a period of supervised experience, such as an internship.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Public school counselors must have a state-issued credential to practice. Depending on the state, this credential may be called a certification, a license, or an endorsement. Obtaining this credential typically requires a master’s degree in school counseling, an internship or practicum completed under the supervision of a licensed professional school counselor, and successful completion of a test.
Some employers prefer or require candidates to have classroom teaching experience, or to hold a teaching license, prior to being certified. Most states require a criminal background check as part of the credentialing process. Information about requirements for each state is available from the American School Counselor Association.
Some states require licensure for career counselors; check with your state for more information. Contact information for state regulating boards is available from the National Board for Certified Counselors.
Optional certifications for career and academic advisors are available from some professional associations.
Important Qualities
Analytical skills. School and career counselors and advisors interpret student records, schoolwide data, and assessments to match interests and abilities with potential careers.
Compassion. School and career counselors and advisors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations, so they must be able to empathize with their clients and students.
Interpersonal skills. School and career counselors and advisors must be able to work with people of all backgrounds and personalities. They need to form and maintain collaborative relationships with clients, students, or other professionals.
Listening skills. School and career counselors and advisors need to give full attention to students and clients in order to understand their problems.
Speaking skills. School and career counselors and advisors must communicate effectively with clients and students. They should express ideas and information in a way that their clients and students understand.
What people in similar profession do
| Job Title | What they do | How to become one |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics | Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments. | Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology, a master’s degree may be sufficient for school and industrial organizational positions. Psychologists in clinical practice need a license. Education Most clinical, counseling, and research psychologists need a doctoral degree. Students can complete a Ph.D. in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. |
| Developmental and Child Psychology | Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. | Although some social workers only need a bachelor’s degree in social work, clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and 2 years of experience in a supervised clinical setting after they’ve completed their degree. Clinical social workers must also be licensed by their state. Education and Training There are multiple educational pathways to becoming a social worker, depending on the specialty. A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) is the most common requirement for entry-level administrative positions. However, candidates sometimes qualify for jobs with a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as public policy and social services, psychology, or social science. A BSW prepares students for direct-service positions such as caseworker or mental health assistant. |
| Social Psychology | Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments. | Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology, a master’s degree may be sufficient for school and industrial organizational positions. Psychologists in clinical practice need a license. Education Most clinical, counseling, and research psychologists need a doctoral degree. Students can complete a Ph.D. in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. |
| Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology | Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems. | Mathematicians and statisticians typically need at least a master’s degree in mathematics or statistics. However, some positions are available to those with a bachelor’s degree. Education Students who are interested in becoming mathematicians or statisticians should take as many math courses as possible in high school. For jobs with the federal government, candidates need at least a bachelor’s degree or significant coursework in mathematics. In private industry, mathematicians typically need either a master’s or a doctoral degree; statisticians typically need a master's degree, but some entry-level positions may accept candidates with a bachelor's degree. Most colleges and universities have bachelor’s degree programs in mathematics. |
| Clinical Psychology | Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. | Educational requirements vary with the subject taught and the type of educational institution. Typically, postsecondary teachers must have a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in their field. However, a master's degree may be enough for some postsecondary teachers at community colleges. Other postsecondary teachers may need work experience in their field of expertise. Education Postsecondary teachers who work for 4-year colleges and universities typically need a Ph.D. or other doctorate in their field of degree. |
| Community Psychology | Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments. | Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology, a master’s degree may be sufficient for school and industrial organizational positions. Psychologists in clinical practice need a license. Education Most clinical, counseling, and research psychologists need a doctoral degree. Students can complete a Ph.D. in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. |
| Counseling Psychology | Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. | Educational requirements vary with the subject taught and the type of educational institution. Typically, postsecondary teachers must have a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in their field. However, a master's degree may be enough for some postsecondary teachers at community colleges. Other postsecondary teachers may need work experience in their field of expertise. Education Postsecondary teachers who work for 4-year colleges and universities typically need a Ph.D. or other doctorate in their field of degree. |
| Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization. | Candidates typically need a combination of education and several years of related work experience to become a human resources manager. Although most positions require a bachelor’s degree, some require a master’s degree. Education Human resources managers usually need a bachelor’s degree. Candidates may earn a bachelor’s degree in human resources or in another field, such as business management, education, or information technology. |
| School Psychology | School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment. | School counselors typically must have a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field and have a state-issued credential. Some states require licensure for career counselors and advisors. Education Nearly all states and the District of Columbia require school counselors to have a master's degree, which is typically in a field such as counseling or psychology. Degree programs teach counselors the essential skills of the job, such as how to foster development; conduct group and individual counseling; work with support systems, such as parents, school staff, and community organizations; and use data to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive counseling programs. |
| Educational Psychology | Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments. | Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology, a master’s degree may be sufficient for school and industrial organizational positions. Psychologists in clinical practice need a license. Education Most clinical, counseling, and research psychologists need a doctoral degree. Students can complete a Ph.D. in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. |
Job Outlook for other majors in Psychology
| Job Title | Number of jobs | Median Salary | Job outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics | 178900 | $82180 | As fast as average |
| Developmental and Child Psychology | 715600 | $51760 | Faster than average |
| Social Psychology | 178900 | $82180 | As fast as average |
| Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology | 44800 | $93290 | Much faster than average |
| Clinical Psychology | 1276900 | $80560 | Faster than average |
| Community Psychology | 178900 | $82180 | As fast as average |
| Counseling Psychology | 1276900 | $80560 | Faster than average |
| Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 161700 | $121220 | As fast as average |
| School Psychology | 322000 | $58120 | Faster than average |
| Educational Psychology | 178900 | $82180 | As fast as average |
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Source and Credit : Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
