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Job outlook for child development specialists in the United States
Are child development specialist jobs in demand?
Child development specialist job and salary trends over time
Child development specialist jobs over time
Child development specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,175 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,112 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,092 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,018 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 980 | 0.00% |
Average child development specialist salary over time
Child development specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $46,186 | $22.20 | +2.4% |
| 2025 | $45,089 | $21.68 | +0.6% |
| 2024 | $44,838 | $21.56 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | $44,463 | $21.38 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $43,476 | $20.90 | +1.4% |
Child development specialist jobs by state
Most common states for child development specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 213 | 29% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 298 | 28% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 491 | 26% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 200 | 26% |
| 5 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 176 | 25% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,356 | 24% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 209 | 24% |
| 8 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 587 | 19% |
| 9 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 405 | 19% |
| 10 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 537 | 18% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,114 | 17% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,779 | 17% |
| 13 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,206 | 17% |
| 14 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 950 | 16% |
| 15 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 490 | 16% |
| 16 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 968 | 15% |
| 17 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 915 | 15% |
| 18 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 3,886 | 14% |
| 19 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 2,854 | 14% |
| 20 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 194 | 14% |
Most common cities for child development specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh | 3 | 1% | $43,516 |
| 2 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $45,113 |
| 3 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $39,365 |
| 4 | Portland | 1 | 0% | $43,257 |
| 5 | Sacramento | 1 | 0% | $50,151 |
Child Development Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of child development specialist experts
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Loyola University Chicago
George Fox University
University of Indianapolis
Montana State University
Lancaster Bible College
Kent State University
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
East Tennessee State University
Carolina Christian College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Elms College
Vanguard University
Angelo State University
What will help Child Development Specialists increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What hard/technical skills are most important for Child Development Specialists?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.
Sheryl Covitt
Adjunct Faculty in the School of EducationLoyola University Chicago
School of Education
What skills stand out on Child Development Specialist resumes?
Sheryl Covitt: I make sure that the resumes candidates share with me are clearly and concisely written and make a positive impression quickly, as this is the first document an interviewer will read. The description of each of their school-based experiences should include action words that describe what they did and with whom. Using key words such as progress monitoring, cultural/racial diversity, differentiation, working with families, relationship building, use of technology (this is a big one!), and collaboration will (hopefully) encourage the interviewer to explore that further with the candidate during the interview. I also let them know that resumes should include skills and accomplishments that are relevant to schools' needs. This requires them to do his/her research about the school district prior to submitting a resume to that school and before going in for the interview.
What experience really stands out on Child Development Specialist resumes?
Dr. Jennie Harrop Ph.D.: A diversity of experience is important, demonstrating to a future employee an individual's willingness to try new things, take risks, and experience life fully. Humility demands a willingness to embrace lower-level jobs as well as higher-level, and servant leadership is evidenced in a readiness to have an impact on one's community, regardless of the reward. The best resumes will demonstrate a variety of experiences and a sampling of volunteer work, as well as any memberships or awards that demonstrate commitment and follow-through.
Dr. Charla Davis
Assistant Professor & Director of Clinical TrainingUniversity of Indianapolis
College of Applied Behavioral Sciences-Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology
What experience really stands out on Child Development Specialist resumes?
Dr. Charla Davis: All practicum experiences really stand out and will tell a future employer the exact experiences the student has had and that is why it is important to keep a well-documented curriculum vitae rather than a resume.
Melissa Boas
Director of Professional School Counseling, Assistant ProfessorLancaster Bible College
Counseling & Social Work Department
What Child Development Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Melissa Boas: I believe the most important skill to enhance if taking a gap year is self-awareness. Understanding oneself and why and how self-awareness directly relates to future career decision making is instrumental in ensuring the right decisions are made. Self-awareness is extremely beneficial in all areas of life not just in choosing a career pathway.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Child Development Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Steven Toepfer Ph.D.: The pandemic has changed, and will change, the job market in ways we do not yet fully understand. Generally, I am concerned that many full-time workers will be replaced with more part-time employees. There is a clear move toward remote work, some of which will most likely remain after the pandemic as employers see the decrease in overhead due to the scaled-down need for in-house workers. Many organizations will be reassessing critical versus less necessary skill sets. I hope this will make businesses and educational institutions more resilient.
Fields such as public health have grown significantly. Jobs in the domain of public health are plentiful and will provide numerous opportunities. Health care fields are also fantastic opportunities. Data and technology-oriented fields are also growing.
In Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) there are many job opportunities such as assisted living assistants, case management, addiction (drug and alcohol) treatment, day care professionals, and human resources to name a few. Additional options are in adult aging, counselors/therapists, and other mental health professions.
Kim Jones Ph.D.
Professor, Chair of Clinical ConcentrationUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock
School of Social Work
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Child Development Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Kim Jones Ph.D.: As a result of the pandemic, the need for mental health services will increase due to the devastating impact the pandemic has had. The pandemic, with its resulting stress, social isolation, loss of loved ones, and income, has resulted in increased levels of reported depression, anxiety, and alcohol and drug use. It has also negatively impacted children's emotional, educational, and psychological well-being.
It is reported that one in five U.S. citizens (47 million) have a mental health condition. These individuals are particularly vulnerable to relapse and a worsening of their conditions due to the stressful impact of the ongoing pandemic. The pandemic, in many instances, has also interrupted their usual regimen of mental health care.
Social workers will see a 13 percent growth rate in jobs between 2019 and 2029.
Jamie Brown Ph.D.
ProfessorEast Tennessee State University
Department of Counseling and Human Services
What experience really stands out on Child Development Specialist resumes?
Jamie Brown Ph.D.: Community involvement and activism can set a potential candidate apart from other applicants.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Child Development Specialists?
Jamie Brown Ph.D.: We know that many of our graduates are drawn to the field of Human Services due to the issues they have faced in their own lives. We have seen an uptick in students sharing the fact they have struggled with Adverse Childhood Experiences during our remote teaching and advising. We need to be aware of Trauma-Informed teaching and outreach as a program and as a university.
What type of skills will young Child Development Specialists need?
Dr. Andrew Wood: For Biblical Studies, it is vital that graduates have a genuine relationship with Jesus, that they are people of humility and integrity, desire to be lifelong learners, and have open minds to new things they learn that may challenge their original assumptions. They need to have a strong work ethic, organizational, and time management skills to work on their own productively and with integrity.
What type of skills will young Child Development Specialists need?
Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.: Indeed, the way we work is changing. The skills that young graduates will need are diverse. Transferable skills and soft skills will certainly be marketable. These include traditional crafts such as communication, but I also think the world expects more empathy from its employees. Young graduates with an understanding of racism, sexism, and environmental responsibility will become increasingly important.
What general advice would you give to a Child Development Specialist?
Dr. Meredith Bertrand: History is ever-changing, and teachers must clarify how current events are just as much a part of the study of history as any other socio-political period or event. If you are not comparing the civil rights movement of today to the ongoing civil rights movements of the past, and if you are not supporting the campaign against oppression and institutional racism upon which our nation was built, then you are doing continuous harm to those who need you to act and disrupt the cycle. History teachers better be ready to be activists, not just teachers, or else you are perpetuating the status quo.
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.
Dr., Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic TheologyVanguard University
Religion, Undergraduate Religion
What general advice would you give to a Child Development Specialist?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.: Opportunities come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are still out there. Whether you are seeking to land a job in education or the non-profit sector, you will need to familiarize yourself and get used to all things digital, for the sake of communicating effectively. The younger your student or service partner's mindset, the more digitally savvy you will need to be, especially in the classroom and in the non-profit world.
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.
Director, Quality Enhancement Plan Program Coordinator, M.S. Professional School Counseling Associate Professor, Curriculum and InstructionAngelo State University
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Child Development Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.: Graduates will need to learn to use technology in which virtual platforms are taking place and web conferencing platforms. Numerous platforms are being used, so the particular platform itself is not as crucial as being well-versed in how virtual education differs from face-to-face environments. Typically, the instructional role in online learning is more of a facilitator, as the educator guides the students to think critically, integrate, and apply new knowledge. This may be difficult for educators who would rather stand in front of a classroom and pass on their knowledge through lecture-based formats. Additionally, being well-versed in various web conferencing platforms will benefit graduates, as they move into a career that is currently requiring communication in virtual environments.