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Child development specialist salary
Average child development specialist salary
$46,186
Average Child Development Specialist Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Child Development Specialist is approximately $46,186 annually, equating to about $22 per hour. This salary can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, level of experience, and the specific sector within which the specialist works.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level positions typically start at a lower salary, while specialists with several years of experience can expect higher compensation. For instance, those with over five years of experience may earn upwards of $50,000 annually.
Highest Paying States
States such as California, New York, and Massachusetts often offer the highest salaries for child development specialists, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in urban areas. Additionally, roles in educational institutions or healthcare settings may provide competitive salaries and benefits.
Career Opportunities
Opportunities abound for child development specialists, with roles available in schools, clinics, and community organizations. Advancing your education and certifications can also enhance earning potential and job prospects in this rewarding field.
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Where can a Child Development Specialist earn more?
Child development specialist salaries by experience level
Child development specialist salary estimates from across the web
Average child development specialist salary by state
The average child development specialist salary in New Jersey, Washington, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average child development specialist salary states are Idaho, Vermont, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for child development specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | $49,834 | $23.96 |
| 2 | Kansas | $50,501 | $24.28 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $48,761 | $23.44 |
| 4 | Montana | $46,978 | $22.59 |
| 5 | Washington | $58,563 | $28.16 |
| 6 | Michigan | $48,802 | $23.46 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $67,939 | $32.66 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $57,014 | $27.41 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $57,611 | $27.70 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $45,345 | $21.80 |
| 11 | Alaska | $47,850 | $23.00 |
| 12 | Illinois | $55,176 | $26.53 |
| 13 | New York | $51,843 | $24.92 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $47,602 | $22.89 |
| 15 | New Mexico | $43,732 | $21.02 |
| 16 | Delaware | $48,099 | $23.12 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $42,583 | $20.47 |
| 18 | Kentucky | $43,559 | $20.94 |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $48,674 | $23.40 |
| 20 | Mississippi | $44,111 | $21.21 |
| 21 | Maryland | $49,762 | $23.92 |
| 22 | Missouri | $44,119 | $21.21 |
| 23 | North Carolina | $44,168 | $21.23 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $43,151 | $20.75 |
| 25 | Arizona | $42,627 | $20.49 |
| 26 | Virginia | $48,013 | $23.08 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | $45,956 | $22.09 |
| 28 | Iowa | $42,048 | $20.22 |
| 29 | Ohio | $41,908 | $20.15 |
| 30 | Colorado | $46,316 | $22.27 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| 32 | Louisiana | $42,389 | $20.38 |
| 33 | California | $47,625 | $22.90 |
| 34 | Hawaii | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| 35 | North Dakota | $39,614 | $19.05 |
| 36 | Oregon | $43,447 | $20.89 |
| 37 | Texas | $39,541 | $19.01 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $42,703 | $20.53 |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $39,200 | $18.85 |
| 40 | Georgia | $39,648 | $19.06 |
| 41 | Maine | $41,938 | $20.16 |
| 42 | Indiana | $39,492 | $18.99 |
| 43 | Nevada | $38,149 | $18.34 |
| 44 | Alabama | $39,446 | $18.96 |
| 45 | Florida | $35,521 | $17.08 |
| 46 | Utah | $40,061 | $19.26 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $30,651 | $14.74 |
| 48 | Idaho | $36,672 | $17.63 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $34,647 | $16.66 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $30,153 | $14.50 |
| 51 | Vermont | $36,276 | $17.44 |
Highest paying cities for child development specialists
The highest-paying cities for child development specialists are Manalapan, NJ, Fairfield, CT, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manalapan, NJ | $68,292 | $32.83 |
| 2 | Fairfield, CT | $58,012 | $27.89 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $57,646 | $27.71 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $55,360 | $26.62 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $52,277 | $25.13 |
| 6 | Campbell, CA | $50,861 | $24.45 |
| 7 | Randolph, MA | $48,973 | $23.54 |
| 8 | Dover, DE | $48,081 | $23.12 |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | $45,855 | $22.05 |
| 10 | Saint Louis, MO | $44,257 | $21.28 |
| 11 | Yukon, OK | $43,231 | $20.78 |
| 12 | Austin, TX | $39,748 | $19.11 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $39,365 | $18.93 |
| 14 | Charleston, SC | $34,434 | $16.55 |
Child development specialist salary details
A child development specialist's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $66,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a child development specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $66,000 | $5,500 | $32 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| Average | $46,186 | $3,849 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
Highest paying child development specialist jobs
The highest paying types of child development specialists are senior technician specialist, development officer, and training specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainer | $47,574 | $3,964 | $22.87 | 40,650 |
| Training Coordinator | $46,698 | $3,891 | $22.45 | 54,796 |
| Facilitator | $44,851 | $3,738 | $21.56 | 30,474 |
| Training Supervisor | $38,093 | $3,174 | $18.31 | 45,171 |
| Child Care Worker | $31,284 | $2,607 | $15.04 | 136,963 |
| Child Care Counselor | $36,843 | $3,070 | $17.71 | 100,538 |
Top companies hiring child development specialists now:
Which companies pay child development specialists the most?
Child development specialist salaries at Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital and Chicago Public Schools are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average child development specialist salary at companies like New York State Restaurant Association and Children's National Medical Center are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital | $58,216 | $27.99 |
| 2 | Chicago Public Schools | $56,715 | $27.27 |
| 3 | New York State Restaurant Association | $54,458 | $26.18 |
| 4 | Children's National Medical Center | $53,892 | $25.91 |
| 5 | Mount Nittany Medical Center | $53,714 | $25.82 |
| 6 | San Diego College of Continuing Education | $50,617 | $24.34 |
| 7 | East Texas Council Of Governments | $48,069 | $23.11 |
| 8 | Christiana Care Health Services, Inc. | $47,718 | $22.94 |
| 9 | Medical University of South Carolina | $47,705 | $22.94 |
| 10 | Mary's Center | $47,022 | $22.61 |
| 11 | E Center | $46,964 | $22.58 |
| 12 | Bradley | $45,763 | $22.00 |
| 13 | Westcare Health Corporation | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| 14 | Key Autism Services | $44,595 | $21.44 |
| 15 | Apis | $44,346 | $21.32 |
| 16 | Nueces County Community Action Agency | $43,944 | $21.13 |
| 17 | Americorps | $43,548 | $20.94 |
| 18 | Crystal Stairs | $43,507 | $20.92 |
| 19 | Indian Health Service | $43,248 | $20.79 |
| 20 | The State of Oregon | $43,127 | $20.73 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Child development specialist salary trends
The average child development specialist salary has risen by $5,561 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average child development specialist earned $40,625 annually, but today, they earn $46,186 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for child development specialists over the last decade.
Compare child development specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average child development specialist salary over time
Compare child development specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Child development specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $46,200 | $22.20 | +2.4% |
| 2025 | $45,100 | $21.68 | +0.6% |
| 2024 | $44,800 | $21.56 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | $44,500 | $21.38 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $43,500 | $20.90 | +1.4% |
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