20 Awesome Jobs Working With Babies (With Salaries And Requirements)

Working with babies is the career path for you if you simply love babies and your dream is to spend your time caring for them. There are a lot of jobs that focus on the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of little humans.

Even the healthiest babies need caring and nurturing to stay that way. So, if you have a heart that simply loves little ones, then we’ve got some job options that you can turn into a rewarding career.

Key Takeaways:

• The top three highest-paying jobs that work with babies are pediatric nurse, doula, and talent agent.

• Entry-level jobs that work with babies are daycare workers, babysitters, and nannies.

• If you prefer to work from home and work with babies, opening a daycare or a baby blogger may be the best option for you.

• Some jobs working with babies may require more qualifications and degrees than others.

5 Careers with babies that pay well

Babies are just so full of wonder and joy. You know that a career with them as the center of your professional life is what you want. But you also know you want to make a decent living.

Unfortunately, many jobs working with children and babies do not pay well, but that isn’t the case here. These are great-paying jobs that involve working with babies.

1. Pediatrician or Obstetrician
   Average Annual Salary: $169,000

   Pediatricians and obstetricians are medical doctors to babies and their moms. Either of these careers may be the perfect fit if you desire to help children and you’re interested in making a decent living. You’re going to need a lot of education to reach this point, but once you do, you’ll be living the life you want.

   Job requirements: A completed four years of undergraduate school and four years of medical school. Depending on the specialty, an additional three to seven years in an internship and residency program.

   Find Pediatrician jobs near me

2. Pediatric or Neonatal nurse
   Average Annual Salary: $68,000

   Pediatric or neonatal nurses are registered nurses who offer medical and health care for children in hospitals and clinics. As a pediatric or neonatal nurse, you will help educate caregivers and parents on the effective methods of child healthcare protection.

   It’s not many careers that let you give your patients a goodbye hug and kiss before you send them home.

   Job requirements: Most companies require a pediatric nurse to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as nursing or nursing science. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license requirements vary by state.

   Find Neonatal nurse jobs near me

3. Speech-Language Pathologist
   Average Annual Salary: $68,000

   Speech-language pathologists help infants who have trouble swallowing since most babies don’t have difficulties speaking. These professionals can also work with older children and sometimes adults, but they provide care to babies.

   Job requirements: A bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as communication disorders sciences or speech-language pathology. A Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).

   Find Speech language pathologist jobs near me

4. Doula
   Average Annual Salary: $61,797

   Doulas are there to help mothers prepare for labor and delivery and they assist them after birth. They are not delivering babies like midwives, they’re purely there for support and to provide informed advice.

   Job requirements: Part of your training is to attend a few births, so you’ll have experience when you start. It’s not quite entry-level, but you don’t need another job to gain experience before you start, or a lengthy college experience..

   Find Doula jobs near me

5. Talent Agent
   Average Annual Salary: $49,000

   Even the babies in TV shows and movies have talent agents. If you’re great with babies, and maybe even better with their parents, this can be a very well-paying career. You get to find the next baby for their break-out role and work with or represent them on set so they can be a star.

   Job requirements: Talent agents usually study business, communication, or theatre.

   Find Talent agent jobs near me

5 Entry-level jobs working with babies

If you’re truly captivated by newborns and children and working with them is your dream but you are unsure where to start, below are the top entry-level jobs working with babies.

6. Day Care Teacher
   Average Annual Salary: $35,000

   Daycare teachers work with young children and babies in a daycare setting. Your job is to lead activities that help children learn valuable early childhood lessons. Some of these lessons may include reading storybooks or making art to help children and babies explore the world.

   Job requirements: Many of them will train you, but some might require you already have some early development education and certifications. Most companies require a daycare teacher to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as elementary education or psychology.

   Find Day care teacher jobs near me

7. Baby Sitter
   Average Annual Salary: $20,000

   Being a babysitter is often a job that most teens do, but anyone can do it. You’ll also find that many communities offer certification programs to better prepare you for the work. What a great way to start a career working with babies and get some experience at a young age.

   Job requirements: Having a first aid, CPR, and AED certificate can help you earn more as a babysitter.

   Find Baby sitter jobs near me

8. Nanny/Au pair
   Average Annual Salary: $24,651

   Being a nanny or Au pair job is a lot like babysitting but on a bigger level. Many nannies live in the homes of their employers, making them almost full-time, round-the-clock caregivers for the children.

   You may start when the child is born and work with them until they no longer need you. If you’re in a good situation, you may find that you start with one child and end up raising all of their siblings, too. Experience helps but isn’t necessary for this job.

   Job requirements: Relevant work experience ranging from one to two years in any related field. Hiring managers expect a nanny to have soft skills such as communication skills, interpersonal skills, and patience. Getting a certification as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) will help you to earn more as a nanny.

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9. Swim Instructor
   Average Annual Salary: $23,000

   Many local pools offer a mommy-and-me swimming program for mothers and their infants. It’s less about teaching newborns how to swim and more about getting them used to the water. Many find it a completely natural and soothing environment.

   Job requirements: Hiring managers expect a swim instructor to have soft skills such as customer service skills, listening skills, and motivational skills. Getting a certification as a First Aid, CPR, and AED Instructor will help you to earn more as a swim instructor.

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10. Nursery Worker
    Average Annual Salary: $25,000

    Nursery workers watch over infants, typically for a very short period to several hours. You might be in charge of diaper changes, feedings, and cuddling. Sometimes you’ll have the same children to care for, other settings will have different babies coming and going. You might find this job in hospitals, churches, schools, and sometimes even in grocery stores.

    Job requirements: Hiring managers expect a nursery worker to have soft skills such as dexterity, listening skills, and physical strength. Getting a certification as a First Aid, CPR, and AED Instructor will help you to earn more as a nursery worker.

    Find Nursery worker jobs near me

5 Work from home jobs working with babies

How about a life where you get to work within the comfort of your own home, and you can surround yourself with delightful babies? For some people, it doesn’t get better than this. If this is your idea of the perfect work/life balance, then check out these jobs to see if one of them is for you.

11. Daycare Owner/Operator
    Average Annual Salary: $25,173

    Daycare owners operate a daycare out of the comfort of their homes. Just like a daycare worker, an owner will help care for children and teach them lessons to help prepare them for school.

    This is sure to be a huge benefit to you, the parents who are looking for childcare, and the little ones you will rely on your love during the day.

    Job requirements: Each state has specific laws and rules about being an in-home childcare provider, so you’ll have to research those rules before starting your business.

    Find Daycare owner jobs near me

12. Newborn/Birth photographer/Artist
    Average Annual Salary: $72,000

    Newborn photographers have become popular in recent years. If you’re handy with a camera or a skilled artist, you can turn your talents toward capturing the first moments or years of a child’s life.

    Job requirements: A technical understanding of photography and a “good eye” for creativity. Getting a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) can help you earn more as a newborn/birth photographer.

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13. Clothes Designer
    Average Annual Salary: $52,000

    You might think no one can make a living focusing on just making and designing baby clothing – you’d be wrong. There are typically a few big occasions in an infant’s life, and they’ll need special clothing, specifically, a christening or baptism gown, but other events happen.

    Not only that – people love spoiling their children, and having custom-made baby clothing is a hot and trendy way to showcase a new baby.

    Job requirements: A bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as graphic design or specialized sales and merchandising. Getting a certification as a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) will help you to earn more as a clothing designer.

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14. Massage Therapist
    Average Annual Salary: $45,000

    Babies can have birth issues or injuries. And, just like adults, they can benefit from massage therapy and the toning and releasing of muscles. Being a massage therapist for infants is very specialized but it might allow you to open your own business from within your home.

    Job requirements: Massage therapists typically complete a postsecondary education program of 500 or more hours of study and experience. Most states regulate massage therapy and require massage therapists to have a license or certification.

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15. Blogger/Social media
    Average Annual Salary: $41,048

    If you’re blogging about your baby, you can stay home and write about the daily ins and outs of having a child. If you are social media savvy, skip the blog and head to TikTok or Instagram.

    People love seeing babies doing cute things. Why not turn your experience as a new parent into a money-making venture.

    Job requirements: Experience with writing. A degree in English, communications, marketing, or a related field can help you earn more as a blogger.

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5 Other jobs working with babies

Not all jobs fit into nice, neat categories, especially when you’re dealing with children. These are a few other options of jobs working with babies that you might find appealing.

16. Nurse Midwife
    Average Annual Salary: $83,570

    Nurse-midwives and lay midwives can make a pretty good living and are a critical part of the birth process and the immediate care of infants. They often help train new mothers on breastfeeding as well.

    Job requirements: Each state has differing levels of midwife education requirements. Some let you work in homes, some in hospitals, it all depends on where you live.

    Find Nurse Midwife jobs near me

17. Lactation Consultant
    Average Annual Salary: $68,118

    Lactation consultants help new mothers learn to breastfeed their children. It’s not as natural or as easy as one might think, especially if the baby is having a difficult time figuring out what it’s supposed to do.

    This is why a nurturing and sympathetic lactation consultant is so important in the first few days to help the baby gain weight and stay healthy.

    Job requirements: You need to have a way with mothers and babies to do this job well. A bachelor’s degree in a related field such as nursing or dietetics is also required. Getting a certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) will help you to earn more as a lactation consultant.

    Find Lactation consultant jobs near me

18. Pediatric Physical Therapist
    Average Annual Salary: $74,000

    Pediatric physical therapists help babies overcome or adapt to any physical issues. Whether the child was born with a disability, illness, or injury, or they developed it shortly after their birth, pediatric physician therapists are a blessing.

    The earlier a child can overcome and adapt, the better prepared they’ll be for the world around them.

    Job requirements: A bachelor’s degree in physical therapy or kinesiology. Soft skills such as detail-oriented, dexterity, and physical stamina may also be required.

    Find Pediatric physical therapist jobs near me

19. Childcare Specialist
    Average Annual Salary: $27,811

    Newborn Care Specialists are like nannies, but they’re more specialized and trained (there is a certification process) in the care and needs of newborns. Not every family needs or wants a newborn care specialist, but it’s a growing field and this position might become more popular.

    It’s perfect for a newborn with a few issues who needs round-the-clock special care for the first few months. It’s also a fantastic break for all parents with a new baby who values their sleep.

    Job requirements: A bachelor’s degree in a related field such as psychology or social work. Getting a certification as a Medical Assistant will help you to earn more as a childcare specialist.

    Find Childcare specialist jobs near me

20. Social Worker
    Average Annual Salary: $51,000

    A career in social work can be your way to make a difference if you’re concerned about the welfare of babies, children, and their families. It’s not going to be an easy job. Sometimes you’ll see the worst in people.

    But you’ll have those breakthrough moments where you know that your help was exactly what made a difference.

    Job requirements: A bachelor’s degree in a related field such as social work or psychology. Relevant work experience ranging from one to two years in related fields. Getting a certification as a Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW) will help you to earn more as a social worker.

    Find Social worker jobs near me

Working with babies FAQ

1. Do you need a degree to work with babies?

   Most careers in childcare require at least an associate degree to be qualified. Child development degree’s help prepare someone to work with children of different ages. Some states might require different certificates to be able to work with children so make sure to check your state laws.

2. What job takes care of sick babies after birth?

   A neonatal nurse takes care of sick babies after birth. This job will care for infants in their first days, weeks, or months of life. This specific type of nurse will care for critically infants such as premature babies or babies that were born with complications. To be a neonatal nurse, the minimum degree required is an ADN or BSN.

3. What is a postpartum nurse?

   A postpartum nurse takes care of a mother and newborn baby after childbirth has taken place. A postpartum nurse helps teach new mothers how to care for themselves as well as the newborn baby after delivery. To become a postpartum nurse you must earn both a ADN and BSN.

Final Thoughts

It’s probably no surprise that a lot of jobs that focus on infants focus on healthcare. There are so many healthcare needs that a newborn has that are specialized. If you have a desire to care for babies and an aptitude for science, then healthcare with a focus on infants is probably the ideal choice for you.

If you’re looking to start a career working with babies but aren’t really interested in medicine, then childcare often is the best place to start. This can lead to great jobs working in facilities or working from your home.

Just know that working with babies requires a lot of love and care. It’s a stressful job at times but it’s one of the most valuable and noble professional passions there is.

References

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Child Day Care Services Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Author

Kristin Kizer

Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.