15 Best Careers in Child Development and Why You Should Pursue One
If you are passionate about working with children and nurturing their growth, a career in child development might be the perfect fit for you. From influencing young minds in the classroom to providing life-changing therapy, there is a wide variety of fulfilling opportunities in this field. Keep reading to learn about the 15 best child development career paths today.
What Is a Degree in Childhood Development?
A degree in childhood development equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to understand and nurture the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth of children. This multidisciplinary field focuses on children from infancy through adolescence, exploring how they develop through various stages of life. Coursework often covers child psychology, educational theories, developmental milestones, and language acquisition. Lessons emphasize creating engaging learning environments, fostering emotional well-being, and supporting the unique needs of children at every stage. Those who graduate with a childhood development degree can pursue roles in education, healthcare, advocacy, and public policy, and work with children and teens.
Top Careers in Child Development
1. Preschool or Kindergarten Teacher
A preschool teacher works with young children on developing language, motor, and social skills in preparation for entering kindergarten. Preschool teachers typically need an associate degree in early childhood education, and some states may also require certification or licensure. Currently, the median income for preschool teachers in the U.S. is $37,120 per year, with the top 10% earning more than $60,070 and the bottom 10% earning less than $28,300.
Kindergarten teachers help prepare children to transition from preschool to elementary school. They focus on developing a child’s reading and writing skills. To become a kindergarten teacher, a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field is required. The average salary for most kindergarten teachers in the U.S. is $61,430 per year, with the top 10% earning more than $99,360 and the bottom 10% earning less than $45,750.
2. Youth Sports Coach
A youth sports coach helps teach children the fundamentals of a variety of sports and the value of teamwork. They spend most of their time planning practices, scheduling games, maintaining sports equipment, and ensuring safety for athletes. The requirements for youth sports coaches vary widely, with most having prior athletic experience and a bachelor’s degree. The median income for coaches at the elementary, middle, or high school level in the U.S. is $45,920 per year.
3. Librarian
Librarians are a great resource for introducing children and their caregivers to books based on their age group and reading level. They also play a key role in fostering literacy by guiding families in selecting educational content. A large portion of a librarian’s time is spent organizing events at their local branch, developing outreach opportunities for the community, and guiding the circulation decisions for the branch’s offerings of children and young adult literature. Librarians are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree, with most having a master’s degree in library science or a related field. Currently, the average salary for librarians in the U.S. is $64,320 per year, with the top 10% earning more than $100,880 and the bottom 10% earning less than $38,920.
4. Social Worker
Social workers protect vulnerable children through various methods of intervention. They assess each child’s unique challenges, set tailored goals, and connect families with critical support services to foster stability and growth. Most social workers are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), and clinical social workers need a Master of Social Work (MSW) and practicum experience. As of May 2024, the median salary for social workers in the U.S. is $61,330 per year.
5. Speech-Language Pathologist
A speech-language pathologist treats various speech impediments and language comprehension difficulties in children and adults. They spend most of their days working to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication, and swallowing disorders. A master’s degree is required to become a speech-language pathologist, and most states require pathologists to be licensed. Currently, the median income for a speech-language pathologist in the U.S. is $95,410 per year, with the top 10% earning more than $132,820 and the bottom 10% earning less than $60,480.
6. Camp Director
A camp director is in charge of overseeing the daily operations for day or overnight camps. They lead a team of counselors to design enriching programs, ensure camper safety, and create memorable recreational experiences. Camp directors also plan and facilitate programs, manage budgets, monitor supplies, modify activities for campers with special needs, and promote their camp to prospective families and sponsors. Most camp director positions require at least a bachelor’s degree and prior experience working in recreation management. The median income for recreation workers, including camp directors, as of May 2024 was $35,380 per year.
7. Child Psychologist
Child psychologists work to diagnose and treat children with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Child psychologists develop individualized treatment plans, conduct therapy sessions, and track emotional and behavioral progress with care. To become a psychologist, a doctoral degree, clinical internship, and license are typically required. The average yearly income in the U.S. for psychologists is $94,310, with the top 10% earning more than $157,330 and the bottom 10% earning less than $54,860.
8. Nanny
A nanny is responsible for helping a family with the daily duties of childcare. Many nannies are also expected to help foster a child’s overall development with play dates, educational experiences, and so on. While states do not regulate educational requirements for nannies, most families prefer at least an associate degree in child development and certifications, such as CPR and first aid, water safety, or infant care. A nanny can work part-time or full-time, and some families require a live-in nanny who also helps with childcare while traveling. Currently, the average hourly wage for childcare workers, including nannies, is $15.41 per hour.
9. Child Life Specialist
A child life specialist helps children and families cope with illness, hospitalization, and disabilities through play, education, preparation, and activities designed to express emotions and fears. These specialists combine their expertise in human development and clinical psychology to support young patients in navigating medical challenges. This role requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree along with an extensive clinical internship. The median annual salary for a child life specialist in the U.S. is $60,840.
10. Early Childhood Education Consultant
Early childhood education consultants ensure that educational institutions meet the developmental needs of young children. These consultants spend their time evaluating the effectiveness of a program or curriculum, observing current needs, and recommending resources and tools to address those needs. Most early childhood education consultants are expected to have a master’s or doctoral degree in education, child development, or public policy. The average annual salary for education consultants in the U.S. is $71,908.
11. Behavior Specialist
A behavior specialist is a professional who focuses on understanding and modifying behaviors to support individuals in achieving positive outcomes in their personal and social lives. They often support children with developmental or behavioral disorders, designing strategies to improve social and emotional functioning. They also collaborate with families and educators to create individualized behavior intervention plans in school or home environments. Most behavioral specialist roles require at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology, education, social work, or a related field, and some positions may also require specialized certifications or training in behavior analysis. The average annual salary range for a behavior specialist in the U.S. is $59,190.
12. Recreation Coordinator
Recreation coordinators plan and organize activities and events that promote engagement, wellness, and community involvement. Their responsibilities include developing programs, managing schedules, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring that activities run smoothly. Most positions require a bachelor's degree in recreation management, leisure studies, or a related field, and some roles may also ask for certifications in first aid or CPR. The median annual salary in the U.S. for recreation coordinators is $35,380, depending on experience and location.
13. Occupational Therapy Assistant
An occupational therapy (OT) assistant works under the guidance of occupational therapists to help patients regain, develop, or maintain skills needed for daily living and working. They assist with therapy sessions, monitor patient progress, and teach adaptive techniques and tools to promote independence. OT assistants typically need an associate degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program and must pass a national certifying exam. The average annual salary for OT assistants in the U.S. is $68,340.
14. Children’s Museum Coordinator
Children’s museum coordinators oversee the development and execution of engaging, educational programs and exhibits designed for young audiences. Their responsibilities include managing event schedules, collaborating with educators and artists, and ensuring activities align with the museum's mission to inspire creativity and learning. Typically, this role requires at least a bachelor’s degree in education, museum studies, or a related field, and experience working with children’s programming or public engagement. The average annual salary for museum coordinators and curators is $61,770.
15. Child Welfare Specialist
A child welfare specialist is dedicated to ensuring the safety, well-being, and development of children experiencing abuse, neglect, or other hardships. These specialists spend their days investigating cases, providing support services to families, and connecting children with resources such as foster care or counseling. This role requires at least a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or a related field, and may involve additional training or certification depending on state or local regulations. The average annual salary for child welfare specialists is $58,570, depending on location and experience.
Benefits of Careers in Childhood Development
There are many intrinsic benefits to a career in childhood development. If you love working with children and fostering healthy, supportive environments for them to thrive, then you’ll also appreciate the following:
A career that’s in high demand
A field of study that’s constantly evolving
A youthful, active, and exciting daily schedule
A challenging and enriching environment
The joy of helping children thrive
The appreciation of parents and families
What Skills Are Required for a Career in Childhood Development?
Success in childhood development careers depends on a strong blend of professional and interpersonal skills, especially:
Communication
Observation
Instruction
Research
Creativity
Collaboration
Organization
Patience
Problem-solving
Compassion and empathy
Workplaces That Offer Careers in Childhood Development
Individuals who work in childhood development have a vast number of workplace options to deepen their skills and expertise. Each of the following environments depends on childhood development professionals at all levels.
Schools: Private and public schools at both the elementary and secondary level hire teachers, counselors, specialists, instructional coordinators, and administrators.
Daycares and childcare centers: Childcare facilities rely on the work of teachers, assistants, therapists, and administrators.
Religious organizations: Many religious organizations offer daycare and early education services to community members and employ childhood development professionals.
Individual and family services (i.e., public welfare, adoption centers, counseling, community shelters, and more.): Individual and family services use a network of social workers, counselors, psychologists, advocates, and administrators.
Nontraditional education centers (i.e., military bases, youth detention centers, etc.): Nontraditional education centers employ teachers, specialists, psychologists, correctional officers, and administrators.
Begin Your Career in Childhood Development with WGU
Interested in a career that supports and encourages the development of young children? Then check out WGU’s options in early childhood education. Whether you’re looking to begin your career in education or to further your expertise, WGU’s degrees provide the knowledge to step confidently into the classroom, clinical work, or research and training. With flexible, online, competency-based learning, WGU allows students to earn degrees at their own pace while gaining real-world experience. Learn more today.
