Child Life Specialists

Salaries for child life specialists vary greatly depending on such factors as the region of the country a specialist works in, education level, certification, and the size of the employer. For example, salaries tend to be higher in large metropolitan teaching hospitals than in small community hospitals. According to Salary.com, salaries for child life specialists ranged from $48,133 to $74,306 or more in 2024. The median salary for workers in the field was $60,356. Fifty percent of child life specialists earned between $53,958 and $67,658.

Those with the highest earnings are usually child life administrators or directors. In addition, child life specialists with certification tend to earn more than their noncertified counterparts.

Benefits vary by employer, but they usually include such items as paid vacation and sick days, medical insurance, and retirement plans.