Career Explorer Science
Changing shape
School psychologists
Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.
Among the careers AI is changing fastest: more resilient than 17% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by +0.8% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on emotional intelligence and ethical judgement.
AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.
- Median pay (2025)
- $95,990
- Job growth to 2035
- +0.8%
- Openings a year
- 3,400
- People doing it (2025)
- 64,000
- Usual route in
- Master's degree, then an internship or residency
Where people already use AI for this work
- Advise others on educational or vocational matters
- Counsel others about personal matters
- Present research or technical information
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Develop educational programs, plans, or procedures
- Analyze data to improve operations
- Collect information about patients or clients
What the work looks like
- Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
- Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
- Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
- Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
- Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- More of these jobs, as more departments add career counselors and psychologists to help students.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Psychologists, all otherChanging shape, Index 30, +2.3%
- Genetic counselorsGrows with AI, Index 40, +10.4%
- Healthcare social workersGrows with AI, Index 68, +8.5%
- Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselorsGrows with AI, Index 83, +18.4%
Also known as: Bilingual School Psychologist, Early Intervention School Psychologist, School Neuropsychologist, School Psychometrist, Autism Consultant, Challenging Behavior Consultant, Educational Diagnostician.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.