The job outlook for school psychologists should be strong. Many are reaching retirement age. Plus, parents of children with special needs are increasingly emboldened—and often armed with lawyers threatening to sue school districts if desired services are not provided. In addition, the media are focusing lots of attention these days on many of the problems school psychologists deal with: autism, school violence, bullying, and Ritalin use among active boys.
Not only is the job outlook good—the work conditions are, too. You are likely to follow the school schedule and work just nine months of the year, status is high, and the stress is manageable. And school psychologists often get to do such rewarding tasks as conduct parenting workshops, counsel teachers and parents, and screen kids for gifted-student programs. Most school psychologists also spend a lot of time assessing students for special education, writing individualized education plans, and persuading parents and teachers to sign off on them.
Median Pay
National: $62,600. More pay data by metropolitan area
(Data provided by PayScale.com)
Training
The National Association of School Psychologists publishes a list of approved graduate programs.
Smart Specialty
Director of programs for the gifted and talented
