A career in child development in 2025 looks as bright as ever. With a projected growth rate up to 19% over the next decade, this career path is perfect for those looking to work with the next generation of children. The field of child development continues to expand as our understanding of early childhood education deepens and the importance of formative years becomes increasingly recognized across healthcare, education and social services.
Whether you’re just starting your educational journey, considering a career change or looking to advance in the field, the child development sector offers meaningful work that makes a tangible difference in young lives. The following career paths represent some of the most promising opportunities in this rewarding field for 2025 and beyond.
Top Child Development Careers
1. Child Life Specialist
Role: Supports children and families in hospitals or medical settings, helping them cope with the challenges of hospitalization, illness and treatment through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities.
Education: Bachelor’s in Child Development or related field; Child Life Specialist certification often required.
Salary Range: $45,000-$70,000 annually, with median salary around $60,000 depending on location and experience.
Growth: High demand in pediatric hospitals and clinics, with projected growth of 7% through 2030.
2. Preschool or Early Childhood Educator
Role: Teaches foundational skills to children under five, creating developmentally appropriate learning experiences, managing classroom environments and supporting social-emotional development.
Education: Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
Salary Range: $30,000-$55,000 annually, with private institutions and specialized programs often paying more.
Growth: 4% growth projected, driven by increasing recognition of early education importance.
3. Social Worker (Child and Family)
Role: Helps families navigate challenges like abuse, neglect or poverty, providing case management, crisis intervention and connecting families with essential resources.
Education: Bachelor’s for entry-level positions; Master’s in Social Work (MSW) required for clinical roles.
Salary Range: $45,000-$75,000 for bachelor’s level positions; $60,000-$90,000 for clinical social workers with advanced degrees.
Growth: 7% projected growth, with increased demand for trauma-informed care specialists.
4. Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
Role: Diagnoses and treats communication disorders in children, working with issues like articulation, language delays, stuttering and swallowing difficulties.
Education: Master’s required, but child development undergrad is a strong foundation; state licensure mandatory.
Salary Range: $70,000-$100,000+, with experienced practitioners in certain settings earning $120,000+.
Growth: 18% projected growth, making it one of the fastest-growing fields in child development.
5. Special Education Teacher
Role: Works with children who have a range of learning, mental, emotional and physical disabilities, creating individualized education plans and modified curriculum.
Education: Bachelor’s degree and teaching credential; special education certification required.
Salary Range: $50,000-$85,000, with additional compensation for specialized certifications.
6. Behavioral Therapist (e.g., ABA Therapist)
Role: Works with children with autism or behavioral challenges, implementing behavior modification techniques and skill-building strategies.
Education: Bachelor’s degree; certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) often required.
Salary Range: $40,000-$65,000 for entry-level; Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) earn $70,000-$95,000+.
Growth: 19% growth rate; high demand due to increased autism diagnoses and better insurance coverage for services.
7. Youth Program Director or Coordinator
Role: Designs and manages after-school or community youth programs, overseeing staff, budgeting, curriculum development and program evaluation.
Education: Bachelor’s in Child Development, Education, Recreation Management or related field.
Salary Range: $40,000-$70,000, with executive directors of larger programs earning $80,000+.
Growth: Growing need in nonprofits and community centers, with 8% projected increase.
8. Family Support Specialist
Role: Provides resources and counseling to families in need, offering parent education, home visiting services and connecting families to community resources.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies, Child Development or related field.
Salary Range: $38,000-$60,000, with variation based on funding source and location.
Growth: Increasing demand in social service agencies
9. Developmental Psychologist (with further education)
Role: Studies how children grow and develop psychologically, conducting research or providing assessment and intervention services.
Education: Requires graduate study (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), but child development is a key undergraduate path.
Salary Range: $70,000-$120,000+, with academic positions and private practice at the higher end.
Growth: Strong academic and research opportunities, particularly in neurodevelopmental disorders.
10. Educational Consultant or Curriculum Developer
Role: Designs educational materials and strategies for early learning, working with schools, publishers or educational technology companies.
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Child Development or Education; classroom experience often preferred.
Salary Range: $55,000-$90,000, with specialized consultants earning $100,000+.
If you are interested in pursuing these careers, a Bachelor of Science in Child Development—such as the online degree completion program offered by SDSU Global Campus—provides an excellent foundation for entering this rewarding field.
As research continues to highlight the critical importance of early development on lifelong outcomes, society’s investment in qualified child development professionals will only continue to grow, making this an excellent time to enter or advance in the field.
