Working with children is a rewarding career choice. Although challenging at times, this job allows you to make a difference in someone else’s life – whether it’s helping a tired parent get some much-needed rest or helping a shy kid follow their dreams.
While working with children can be exhausting at times, both physically and emotionally, it is also one of the most rewarding careers you’ll ever have.
There really is nothing more demanding or gratifying than working with kids. So, if you think you have what it takes to start a career in childcare, read on to discover some possible job options for you.
1. Teacher
Average salary: $56,280
Teachers work with students across different grade levels. Their main duties include creating lesson plans, grading homework and tests, and documenting the progress of the kids they are teaching. To become a teacher, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement, however if you wish to advance your career or specialize in a certain area like special education, a master’s degree in education would also be required.
2. Principal
Average salary: $102,650
Principals approves curriculums instituted by teachers, ensure academic policies are followed, guide students, and enforce disciplinary action when needed – all this while keeping the school environment a safe place for everyone. Most principals hold a master’s degree in education administration or educational leadership; which must be why it’s one of the best paying jobs in education.
3. School librarian
Average salary: $64,180
If you love reading as well as working with kids, then consider becoming a librarian. Through this role, you will be able to teach students how to locate and checkout books, browse library collections and work with index databases. Several states in the US require a master’s degree in library sciences, while others only require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
4. Nanny
Average salary: $27,680
As a nanny, your role is to care for, protect, and encourage the children you’re looking after. Typically, your job as a nanny will involve tasks like preparing meals, offering entertainment and imposing nap times. Your shifts could span from a few hours a day or for longer periods of time. In most cases, nannies must have CPR and First Aid certifications. Having a bachelor’s is not required but will definitely count in your favor, especially if it’s in a relevant subject such as early childhood development, education or developmental psychology. A clean criminal record is also a must.
5. Children’s recreation coordinator
Average salary: $32,020
A children’s recreation coordinator creates, organizes, and implements activities for children. Depending on the facility, this could include sporting events, arts and crafts projects and other group activities. To be considered for this role you will need to show you have experience with recreation programming as well as leading and implementing activities and events. A relevant associate’s or bachelor’s degree might also help you get your foot through the door of this career path.
6. Speech-language pathologist
Average salary: $85,820
To become a speech-language pathologist, you’ll need at least a master’s degree followed by a clinical fellowship. From there, you’ll be required to pass an exam justifying your knowledge and become licensed to practice speech-language pathology. Once you’ve completed the educational requirements, you’ll be able to provide therapy to children with speech and language impairments.
7. Social worker
Average salary: $54,880
To become a clinical social worker, you’ll need to hold at least a bachelor’s in social work from an accredited university. After that, you’ll need a master’s to become a licensed clinical social worker. Your main objective is to observe children’s home environments and determine if it’s safe or if there are potential hazards and issues that could negatively impact the development and growth of the child.
8. School counselor
Average salary: $49,730
School counsellors are the cool but infinitely wiser adults who advise kids on a plethora of issues; whether it’s getting over a heartbreak, choosing a university or patching up with a friend. It’s an important and essential job that assists with a child’s overall wellbeing. And with the rise of mental health problems and bullying over the years, one that’s become high-in-demand.
9. School psychologist
Average salary: $82,770
A school psychologist provides comprehensive mental health care services to the students who are struggling with mental health and familial issues. Most school psychologists will have a master’s degree from an accredited psychology school. So, if you have a passion for psychology and helping children, then consider this profession. It’s not only can it be a lucrative career but it’s one of the most fulfilling ones, too.
10. Pediatrician
Average salary: $198,420
Pediatricians work with patients that are in infancy all the way to young adulthood. While this can be an emotionally challenging career, it is equally rewarding as you will be treating young patients, helping both them and their families.
To become a pediatrician, you need to earn your medical credentials by completing your undergraduate degree, medical school and residency.
11. Pediatric nurse
Average salary: $82,750
As a pediatric nurse, you’ll work under a pediatrician and care for children and adolescents. From routine patient care, medical procedures, and lab tests, your job will encompass a series of tasks. If this sounds like a great career option to you, then you will need to attend nursing school and get licensed.
12. School nurse
Average salary: $82,750
Similar to a pediatric nurse, a school nurse provides health services to students. Rather than working in a hospital or a clinic, they are stationed in schools. To become a school nurse, you will need to have the same educational and professional credentials as a pediatric nurse.
13. Camp counsellor
Average salary: $59,430
Working as a camp counsellor is an exciting job that allows you to teach and interact with children outside the classroom setting. It’s not all fun and games though, camp directors are responsible for the overall safety of camp participants while managing daily operations which is a tough job if you don’t know how to multi-task.
14. Family photographer
Average salary: $48,210
Family photographers’ body of work includes newborn photo shoots, senior portraits, family photos, and maternity shoots. In order to succeed in this career and get hired, you will need to build an impressive portfolio and a good online presence to promote your work.
15. Art therapist
Average salary: $65,030
As with most therapist jobs, an art therapist must have a master’s degree in counseling with an emphasis in art therapy, or a specific master’s in art therapy. An art therapist will help children express themselves and work through various issues by using artistic mediums such as painting, sculpting, drawing, or creative process. The main objective is to assist the child’s physical or mental growth through these therapy sessions.
16. Music therapist
Average salary: $65,030
Similar to an art therapist, a music therapist focuses on physical and emotional rehabilitation through music, typically managing pain, reducing stress, expressing emotion, improving communication, and enhancing memory. As a music therapist, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree or higher, and it would help if you were a music lover.
17. Child psychiatrist
Average salary: $249,760
For every problem, there’s a solution, and when it comes to dealing with children’s emotional and mental health, the best solution would be to hire a child psychiatrist.
The road to becoming a psychiatrist is long as it involves earning your bachelor’s, attending medical school, completing a psychiatry residency and becoming a board-certified professional. That said, the job itself could make this all worth it.
18. School crossing guard
Average salary: $35,670
Crossing guards ensure students can cross the street safely. Usually, they are stationed near schools with busy roads and intersections without any traffic lights.
While there are no official prerequisites to be considered for this role, having a high school diploma or GED could count in your favor. You will also need excellent communication skills.
In some states, prospective candidates must pass a qualifying medical examination, including a drug screening as well as a character/background check. After that, you will also need to complete six days of training at a Police Academy.
19. Daycare director
Average salary: $53,800
As a daycare director, you’ll supervise and lead staff, oversee daily activities at the daycare, prepare budgets, and design program plans. Every aspect of the daycare center program falls under the director’s list of duties. A bachelor’s degree and extensive experience in early childhood education is essential to advance to this role.
20. Pediatric nutritionist
Average salary: $65,620
Nutritionist is specialize in children’s dietary needs. You will compile nutritional programs and help your young patients lead healthier lifestyles and develop better dietary habits.
To pursue this career, you will need to attain a bachelor's degree accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education and then earn a certification to become a registered dietitian.
Final thoughts
If you are looking for a career that will allow you to work with children, you have numerous options! Regardless of which career you choose from our list, you will have the opportunity to have a positive impact on a child’s life, and what could be more rewarding than that?
Which of these childcare jobs interests you the most? Let us know in the comments section below!
This article is an updated version of an earlier article originally published on 15 August 2018.