Colorado Technical University

What is the starting salary for doctoral school psychologists since most only have a masters or specialist?

I've looked online myself and I've seen that 75% of school psychologists have their masters or specialist degree and I plan to pursue the Ph.D because it gives you more flexibility.

Public Comments

1. If you actually want to work in a school, you may want to rethink your plan to get the Ph.D. I am not a school psychologist, I have my masters in counseling psych - but the university I went to grad school for did have a school psych specialist degree, and I knew many of the professors and the students in that program. It is my understanding that schools actually prefer a masters/specialist degree to a Ph.D. because they can pay those professionals less than a Ph.D. I have heard that it is actually harder to find a job in a school with a Ph.D. as opposed to holding a specialist degree, simply for the fact that the school would have to pay you more. And, really, the specialist can do everything the Ph.D. holder can, so why pay you more, know what I mean? Now, if you want to go the academic route or do research, then obviously it would be beneficial to get the Ph.D. Just something to think about.
2. I am pursuing my Master's in School Psychology... I know that with a Ph.D, you make about $5000 more than with a Master's; however, it may also be harder to get a job with a Ph.D in School Psychology than it would be with a Master's.