20 Jobs for People Who Enjoy Children

In this blog post, we will discuss jobs where you can get paid the most by working with children.

When it comes to working with kids, there are many different career options to consider. From early childhood education to healthcare, these careers help shape the future by providing guidance and support to kids as they learn and grow. These careers are important, and while each comes with its own unique set of challenges, the rewards can be amazing. Many of the higher-paying career options listed below require specific accredited training and education requirements such as a bachelor's degree or master's degree. So, if you’re looking for a career that will allow you to make a positive impact on a child’s life, then check out these career opportunities!

High-Paying Careers Working with Children

Primary school teacher: $50,000 per year. Primary school teachers are responsible for teaching children between the ages of five and eleven. They typically work in a classroom with other teachers and support staff. Related fields include special needs teacher, physical education teacher, high school teacher, elementary school teacher, school principal, and early childhood educator.
Child psychologist: $70,000 per year. Child psychologists work with children of all ages to help them overcome psychological difficulties. They may work in a private practice, hospital, or clinic setting. Similar careers include psychiatric nurse, social work, and counselor.
Child life specialist: $40,000 per year. Child life specialists work in hospitals to provide emotional support to sick children and their families. They may also be involved in play therapy and other activities to help children cope with their illness. Similar careers include play therapist, art therapist, and music therapist.
Occupational therapist: $60,000 per year. Occupational therapists work with children who have physical, developmental, or mental health difficulties. They help them develop the skills they need to live independently. Similar careers include physical therapist, speech-language pathologist, and special needs, educator.
Childcare worker: $20,000 per year. Childcare workers are responsible for the care of young children in a variety of settings such as daycares, preschools, and after-school programs. They may also be involved in planning activities and providing emotional support to children and families. Similar careers include nanny, babysitter, early childhood educator, childcare center director.
Pediatrician: $200,000 per year. Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in the care of children. They diagnose and treat a variety of illnesses and conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. Similar careers include family doctor, general practitioner, and pediatric nurse.
Clinical psychologist: $75,000 per year. Clinical psychologists work with people who have mental health difficulties. They provide counseling and therapy services to help clients manage their condition. Similar careers include counselor, social worker, and psychiatric nurse.
Rehabilitation therapist: $50,000 per year. Rehabilitation therapists work with children who have physical or developmental disabilities to help them improve their mobility or communication skills. They may work in a hospital, clinic, or private practice setting. Similar careers include physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech-language pathologist.
Speech-language pathologist: $70,000 per year. Speech-language pathologists help children who have difficulty speaking or understanding language. They work with clients to improve their communication skills through therapy and remedial education programs. Similar careers include special needs teacher, special education teacher, occupational therapist, and rehabilitation therapist.
Clinical social worker: $50,000 per year. Clinical social workers provide counseling and therapy services to people who have mental health difficulties. They may also provide support to families of those affected by mental illness. Similar careers include psychiatric nurse, counselor, and clinical psychologist.
School guidance counselor: $40,000 per year. School counselors ensure a child's welfare and work in schools providing support and guidance to students. They may also be involved in planning activities and counseling services for students and families. Similar careers include career advisor, social worker, family therapist, and clinical psychologist.
Child and youth worker: $35,000 per year. Child and youth workers are responsible for the care of children and young people in a variety of settings. They may work with children who have behavioral or emotional difficulties, or who are living in care. Similar careers include a social worker and a youth worker.
Psychiatrist: $200,000 per year. Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders in children and adults. They provide counseling and medication therapy services to patients. Similar careers include family doctor, general practitioner, clinical psychologist.
Nurse practitioner: $100,000 per year. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have obtained additional qualifications to allow them to prescribe medications and treat patients independently. They work with children and young people who have a range of physical or mental health conditions. Similar careers include nurse, pediatrician, and family doctor.
Physical therapist: $75,000 per year. Physical therapists work with children who have physical disabilities to help them improve their mobility and independence. They may provide therapy services in a hospital or clinic setting. Similar careers include occupational therapist, rehabilitation therapist, and speech-language pathologist.
Occupational therapist: $75,000 per year. Occupational therapists work with children who have developmental delays or physical disabilities to help them learn adaptive skills needed for everyday life. They may provide therapy services in a hospital or clinic setting. Similar careers include physical therapist, rehabilitation therapist, and speech-language pathologist.
Pediatric nurse: $70,000 per year. Pediatric nurses are registered nurses who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. They work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices. Similar careers include registered nurse, neonatal nurse, childhood nutritionist, dental hygienist, public school nurse, and private school nurse.
Special needs teacher: $60,000 per year. Special needs teachers work with students who have a range of physical, developmental, and emotional disabilities. Special needs teachers also help students with social skills and work with students on the autism spectrum and develop individualized education plans to meet the unique needs of each student. Similar careers include speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, and rehabilitation therapist.
Psychiatric nurse: $55,000 per year Psychiatric nurses are registered nurses who specialize in the care of patients with mental health disorders. They provide counseling and medication therapy services to patients. Similar careers include nurse, counselor, and clinical psychologist.
Child development specialist: $55,000 per year Child development specialists work with children and families to promote healthy physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. They may work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, schools, or early childhood education programs. Similar careers include child life specialist, counselor, preschool teacher, and social worker.

The Impact of Working with Children

These careers offer opportunities for personal growth, as well as the chance to make a difference in a child’s life. Some people might think that working with children is easy because they are “just kids”, but it can be quite challenging. Children are constantly learning and growing, but if you are patient, hardworking, have a good sense of humor, and are looking for a rewarding career path, then working with children can be a very rewarding career.

Additional Resources

For more information about working with kids, check out these resources.

20 Rewarding Careers Working with Children - Applied Behavior Analysis

https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisedu.org/2021/11/careers-working-with-children/

Careers Working with Children: Make a Difference with Today's Youth

https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/careers/working-with-children/