Educational Psychologist Salary Guide 2023

An educational psychologist is a mental health professional who applies psychological principles and research to improve educational outcomes and address learning and behavioral issues in students of all ages. See How to Become an Educational Psychologist

The average salary in the US for an educational psychologist is $82,180

Here is how your potential earnings will look as you gain more experience:

• Less than 1 year of experience: $59,000
• 1-4 years of experience: $63,000
• 5-9 years of experience: $72,000
• 10-19 years of experience: $83,000
• 20 years or more of experience: $89,000

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Which states have the highest salaries for educational psychologists?

1. California – $82,000
2. New York – $80,000
3. Massachusetts – $76,000
4. Texas – $73,000
5. Pennsylvania – $72,000

Which cities have the highest salaries for educational psychologists?

1. San Diego, CA – $83,000
2. Los Angeles, CA – $81,000
3. Boston, MA – $80,000
4. New York, NY – $80,000
5. Houston, TX – $75,000

How can educational psychologists earn more?

Pursuing higher levels of education

Psychologists with doctoral degrees earn a median salary of $100,770 compared to $79,010 for those with a master’s degree. Pursuing a doctoral degree in educational psychology or a related field may increase job opportunities and earning potential for educational psychologists. Learn more about doctoral programs in educational psychology.

Negotiating salary and benefits

Educational psychologists can negotiate their salary and benefits packages when accepting job offers or when asking for a raise. According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in 2020, 61% of psychologists negotiated their starting salary, with those who negotiated earning a median increase of $5,000.

Educational psychologist vs other psychologist salary

In terms of educational and training requirements, the roles most similar to an educational psychologist would be a school psychologist, forensic psychologist, developmental psychologist and an industrial-organizational psychologist. Each of these roles requires a master’s degree with a doctoral degree being an optional (but often preferred) qualification.

Here is how educational psychology compares to these other fields:

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist – $112,690
• School Psychologist – $78,200
• Forensic Psychologist – $82,180
• Developmental Psychologist – $78,000