School Psychologist salary in Tennessee
School Psychologists in Tennessee earn a median of $76,850 a year ($36.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,400 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $95,990. Tennessee ranks 36th of 51 states for school psychologists pay. There are 0.27 school psychologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $77,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for school psychologists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,290 | $25.62 |
| 25th percentile | $65,720 | $31.60 |
| Median | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| 75th percentile | $86,190 | $41.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Average (mean) | $77,390 | $37.21 |
Half of school psychologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,404.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,202.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,955.77 |
| Weekly | $1,477.88 |
| Hourly | $36.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
School Psychologist salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $101,430 | 30 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $84,390 | 140 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $80,420 | 320 |
| Knoxville, TN | $76,850 | 160 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $68,060 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for school psychologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $127,780 |
| Colorado | $124,770 |
| New Mexico | $110,360 |
| Maryland | $109,700 |
| Washington | $108,780 |
| District of Columbia | $107,500 |
| New York | $106,550 |
| Oregon | $106,070 |
| Connecticut | $100,600 |
| Georgia | $99,110 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $80,860 | $38.87 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| Survey Researcher | $66,900 | $32.16 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $138,070 | $66.38 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $60,310 | $28.99 |
| Economist | $117,650 | $56.56 |
| Historian | $71,080 | $34.17 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $54,840 | $26.36 |
| Biological Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,840 | $36.94 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3034. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school psychologist make in Tennessee?
The median salary for school psychologists in Tennessee is $76,850 a year, or $36.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid school psychologists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of school psychologists in Tennessee earn at least $102,400 a year. The top 25% earn $86,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for school psychologists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,290 a year, and a quarter of school psychologists earn $65,720 or less.
How many school psychologists work in Tennessee?
About 900 school psychologists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.