How to Become a Child Psychologist

Child psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental health and developmental disorders in children and adolescents — typically from infancy through age 18, though some work with young adults into their early twenties. That's the clinical definition. In practice, you're the person a parent calls when their seven-year-old can't sit still in class, when a teenager starts withdrawing from friends, or when a toddler isn't hitting developmental milestones.

What sets this specialty apart from general clinical psychology is the depth of training in developmental science. Kids aren't just small adults — their brains are still forming, their emotional regulation is a work in progress, and their problems almost always involve the family system. You'll spend a lot of time working not just with the child but with parents, teachers, and pediatricians to build a full picture of what's going on.

Assessment is a huge part of the role. Child psychologists conduct psychoeducational testing, developmental evaluations, and diagnostic assessments for conditions like ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, and anxiety disorders. These evaluations often determine whether a child qualifies for school-based services, accommodations, or specialized treatment — so the stakes are real.

The path to becoming a child psychologist is long — I'm not going to pretend otherwise. You're looking at 10 to 12 years of training after high school, which is a significant commitment. But each stage of that training builds on the last in meaningful ways, and by the time you're licensed, you'll have a level of expertise in child development and psychopathology that few other professionals can match.

Here's how the path typically unfolds, with specific considerations for those who want to specialize in working with children and adolescents:

Child psychology requires the highest educational bar of any non-medical mental health profession — a doctoral degree is the entry-level credential for independent practice, and there's no shortcut around it. The good news is that the training is genuinely deep, and the child-specific coursework and practicum experiences prepare you to work with a population that many other providers aren't trained to serve well.

The Ph.D. vs. Psy.D. decision is important here. If you're drawn to both research and clinical work — say, conducting studies on childhood anxiety interventions while also seeing young clients — a Ph.D. is the better fit, and these programs are typically fully funded. If you know you want to focus primarily on assessment and therapy with children, a Psy.D. makes sense, but go in with clear expectations about the cost — some programs exceed $200,000 in total tuition.

Whichever path you choose, make sure the program is accredited by the APA and has dedicated child and adolescent training tracks, practicum placements with pediatric populations, and faculty whose research aligns with your interests.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $94,310 for psychologists as of May 2024. Child psychologists generally fall within this range, though compensation varies significantly based on setting, geographic location, and whether you're salaried or in private practice.

It's worth noting that child psychologists who specialize in assessment — particularly psychoeducational and neuropsychological testing — often command higher fees than those focused solely on therapy, because comprehensive evaluations are time-intensive and require specialized expertise. A single child evaluation can take 8 to 12 hours of testing, scoring, and report writing, and private-pay evaluations often range from $2,500 to $5,000+.

The salary range is wide, from under $55,000 at the entry level or in community settings to over $157,000 for experienced practitioners in high-paying regions or specialized hospital positions. Where you land depends heavily on your setting, subspecialty, and location.

Child psychologists work in a wide range of settings, which is one of the genuinely appealing aspects of this career. Most work full-time during regular business hours, though some offer evening or Saturday appointments to accommodate school schedules. The work is emotionally rewarding but can also be heavy — you're hearing about kids in crisis, family conflict, abuse, and trauma on a regular basis. Building sustainable self-care habits isn't optional in this field.