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Lactation consultant vs certified lactation educator

The differences between lactation consultants and certified lactation educators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a lactation consultant, becoming a certified lactation educator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a lactation consultant has an average salary of $73,158, which is higher than the $72,608 average annual salary of a certified lactation educator.

The top three skills for a lactation consultant include patients, IBCLC and patient care. The most important skills for a certified lactation educator are classroom management, CPR, and english language.

Lactation consultant vs certified lactation educator overview

Lactation ConsultantCertified Lactation Educator
Yearly salary$73,158$72,608
Hourly rate$35.17$34.91
Growth rate6%12%
Number of jobs5,80941,653
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4443
Years of experience24

Lactation consultant vs certified lactation educator salary

Lactation consultants and certified lactation educators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lactation ConsultantCertified Lactation Educator
Average salary$73,158$72,608
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $99,000Between $50,000 And $103,000
Highest paying CityPalo Alto, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyChildren's Hospital of Michigan-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between lactation consultant and certified lactation educator education

There are a few differences between a lactation consultant and a certified lactation educator in terms of educational background:

Lactation ConsultantCertified Lactation Educator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Florida

Lactation consultant vs certified lactation educator demographics

Here are the differences between lactation consultants' and certified lactation educators' demographics:

Lactation ConsultantCertified Lactation Educator
Average age4443
Gender ratioMale, 3.7% Female, 96.3%Male, 21.9% Female, 78.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 9.1% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage9%21%

Differences between lactation consultant and certified lactation educator duties and responsibilities

Lactation consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage communications with referral source, medical providers, injure worker and other parties involve in the rehabilitation process.
  • Provide clinical lactation support, community breastfeeding education, and CPR instruction
  • Work in outpatient breastfeeding center as IBCLC with occasional floating to inpatient lactation consulting.
  • Provide guidance to birth mothers on proper positions and latch techniques to minimize potential complications.
  • Implement and oversee a maternity services clinic focusing on prenatal education, lactation services, and breastfeeding.
  • Perform nutrition assessment for participants by providing participants with information on healthy eating, nursing assistance, and healthy lifestyle choices.
  • Show more

Certified lactation educator example 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.

Lactation consultant vs certified lactation educator skills

Common lactation consultant skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • IBCLC, 17%
  • Patient Care, 13%
  • International Board, 8%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Mother-Baby, 4%
Common certified lactation educator skills
  • Classroom Management, 29%
  • CPR, 28%
  • English Language, 14%
  • Educational Programs, 7%
  • WIC, 3%
  • Breast Pumps, 3%

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