How To Become A Certified Lactation Educator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a certified lactation educator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Andrew Pendola Ph.D.

The average certified lactation educator salary is $72,608. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an nursing major. It usually takes 2-4 years of experience to become a certified lactation educator. Certified lactation educators with a Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 12% and produce 15,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a certified lactation educator?

Andrew Pendola Ph.D.

Associate Professor | Program Coordinator, Auburn University Main Campus

Hi Andrew. Just following up. Would you, or can you recommend a professor from Auburn University Main Campus, to provide answers for our expert panel on starting a career with a degree in Education? We need someone who can give insights into what it's like entering the workforce this year.

ScoreCertified Lactation EducatorUS Average

Salary

5.7

Avg. Salary $72,608

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.7

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.02%

Asian 6.72%

Black or African American 9.99%

Hispanic or Latino 20.24%

Unknown 6.36%

White 55.67%

Gender

female 78.11%

male 21.89%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

7.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

9.1

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a certified lactation educator

Explore certified lactation educator education requirements

Most common certified lactation educator degrees

Bachelor's

59.9 %

Master's

17.1 %

Associate

13.1 %

Start to develop specific certified lactation educator skills

Skills	Percentages
Classroom Management	28.84%
CPR	27.52%
English Language	14.09%
Educational Programs	7.17%
WIC	2.82%

Complete relevant certified lactation educator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New certified lactation educators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a certified lactation educator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real certified lactation educator resumes.

Research certified lactation educator duties and responsibilities

Manage revolving caseload of students with IEP team including initials, transfer placements, manifestation determinations.
Design PowerPoint presentations enhancing educational environment.
Design PowerPoint presentations enhancing educational environment.

Apply for certified lactation educator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a certified lactation educator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams