Ranked list · 48 careers
48 Jobs Working With Kids, Ranked by Fit and Pay (2026)
Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary tops this list at $105,870 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with -0.3% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 48 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.
- Careers on this list
- 48From 1,731 in the bank
- Median pay on the list
- $64,350BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Projected to grow
- 24 of 48BLS EP, 2025–2035
- Openings a year
- 1,811,600Combined, BLS EP
Method
How we built this list
Careers working mainly with children and teens: teachers, pediatric clinicians, child life and school specialists, counsellors and youth program leaders. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages.
- Careers working mainly with children and teens: teachers, pediatric clinicians, child life and school specialists, counsellors and youth program leaders. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages.
- Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
- The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.
The list
The top 48 jobs working with kids
100% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.
- 1
- Median pay
- $105,870median a year
- Growth
- −0.3%
- Openings / yr
- 20,600
- Education
- Master's
Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.
- 2
2. Head of School
Specialty within education administrator, kindergarten through secondary
- Median pay
- $105,870median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −0.3%
- Openings / yr
- 20,600
- Education
- Master's
The chief executive of a private or independent school, leading academics, finances, fundraising and the school community.
- 3
3. Adapted Physical Education Specialist
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $76,580median a year
- Growth
- +1.9%
- Openings / yr
- 2,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.
- 4
4. Special Education Teacher, Secondary School
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $74,260median a year
- Growth
- −0.2%
- Openings / yr
- 10,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities.
- 5
5. High School Teacher
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $72,040median a year
- Growth
- −0.2%
- Openings / yr
- 63,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.
- 6
6. Dyslexia Therapist
Specialty within special education teacher, elementary school
- Median pay
- $67,170median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −0.1%
- Openings / yr
- 37,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Teaches students with dyslexia to read, write and spell using intensive, structured, multisensory language instruction.
- 7
7. Special Education Teacher, Elementary School
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $67,170median a year
- Growth
- −0.1%
- Openings / yr
- 37,100
- Education
- N/A
Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities.
- 8
8. Special Education Teacher, Kindergarten
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $67,170median a year
- Growth
- −0.1%
- Openings / yr
- 37,100
- Education
- N/A
Teach academic, social, and life skills to kindergarten students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities.
- 9
9. Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Specialty within special education teacher, elementary school
- Median pay
- $67,170median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −0.1%
- Openings / yr
- 37,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
A special education teacher who teaches braille, assistive technology and other skills to students who are blind or have low vision.
- 10
10. Special Education Teacher, Middle School
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $66,810median a year
- Growth
- −0.4%
- Openings / yr
- 6,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities.
- 11
11. Career/Technical Education Teacher, Middle School
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $65,030median a year
- Growth
- −0.5%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
- 12
12. Special Education Teacher, Preschool
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $64,830median a year
- Growth
- +2.4%
- Openings / yr
- 2,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities.
- 13
13. Middle School Teacher
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $64,370median a year
- Growth
- −0.4%
- Openings / yr
- 38,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
- 14
14. Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $64,330median a year
- Growth
- +2.9%
- Openings / yr
- 27,800
- Education
- Master's
Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.
- 15
15. Independent Educational Consultant
Specialty within educational, guidance, and career counselor and advisor
- Median pay
- $64,330median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +2.9%
- Openings / yr
- 27,800
- Education
- Master's
A private advisor families hire to guide students through college, boarding school or therapeutic program admissions.
- 16
16. Elementary School Teacher
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $63,970median a year
- Growth
- −0.4%
- Openings / yr
- 87,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
- 17
17. Reading Specialist
Specialty within elementary school teacher
- Median pay
- $63,970median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −0.4%
- Openings / yr
- 87,500
- Education
- Master's
A certified teacher who assesses struggling readers, delivers targeted reading intervention and coaches other teachers on literacy.
- 18
18. Kindergarten Teacher
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $62,680median a year
- Growth
- −0.3%
- Openings / yr
- 11,900
- Education
- Bachelor's
Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.
- 19
19. School Social Worker
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $59,550median a year
- Growth
- +4.4%
- Openings / yr
- 33,900
- Education
- Bachelor's
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children.
- 20
- Median pay
- $59,300median a year
- Growth
- −3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 5,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.
- 21
21. Youth Program Director
Specialty within education and childcare administrator, preschool and daycare
- Median pay
- $59,300median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 5,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Runs afterschool, summer and youth development programs for a nonprofit, school district or community organization.
- 22
22. Youth Pastor
Specialty within director, religious activity and education
- Median pay
- $52,100median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.3%
- Openings / yr
- 13,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
Leads a congregation's ministry to middle and high school students through weekly gatherings, mentoring, trips, retreats and family support.
- 23
23. Bus Driver, School
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $47,920median a year
- Growth
- +0.7%
- Openings / yr
- 56,500
- Education
- High school
Drive a school bus to transport students.
- 24
24. Tutor
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $43,350median a year
- Growth
- −0.2%
- Openings / yr
- 34,200
- Education
- Some college
Instruct individual students or small groups of students in academic subjects to support formal class instruction or to prepare students for standardized or admissions tests.
- 25
25. Substitute Teacher, Short-Term
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $41,670median a year
- Growth
- +2.0%
- Openings / yr
- 65,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.
- 26
26. Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $38,140median a year
- Growth
- +4.5%
- Openings / yr
- 66,700
- Education
- Associate's
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
- 27
27. Teaching Assistant, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $37,010median a year
- Growth
- 0.0%
- Openings / yr
- 201,900
- Education
- N/A
Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties.
- 28
28. Teaching Assistant, Special Education
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $37,010median a year
- Growth
- 0.0%
- Openings / yr
- 201,900
- Education
- N/A
Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities.
- 29
29. School Bus Monitor
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $35,100median a year
- Growth
- −1.9%
- Openings / yr
- 13,400
- Education
- High school
Maintain order among students on a school bus.
- 30
30. Childcare Worker
Personal Care and Service
- Median pay
- $34,980median a year
- Growth
- −2.0%
- Openings / yr
- 150,300
- Education
- High school
Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions.
- 31
31. Nanny
Personal Care and Service
- Median pay
- $34,980median a year
- Growth
- −2.0%
- Openings / yr
- 150,300
- Education
- High school
Care for children in private households and provide support and expertise to parents in satisfying children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs.
- 32
32. Pediatric Surgeon
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $559,030median a year
- Growth
- +2.0%
- Openings / yr
- 0
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat fetal abnormalities and birth defects, diseases, and injuries in fetuses, premature and newborn infants, children, and adolescents.
- 33
33. Neonatologist
Specialty within pediatrician, general
- Median pay
- $381,630typical, AMGA Medical Group Compensation Survey 2025 (via Marit Health); SalaryDr
- Growth
- +1.5%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Doctorate
Pediatrician who cares for premature and critically ill newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit.
- 34
34. Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Specialty within pediatrician, general
- Median pay
- $298,457typical, Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2025
- Growth
- +1.5%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Doctorate
Pediatrician who diagnoses and treats digestive, liver and nutrition problems in children, from reflux and celiac disease to inflammatory bowel disease.
- 35
35. Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Specialty within pediatrician, general
- Median pay
- $255,733typical, Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2025
- Growth
- +1.5%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Doctorate
Pediatrician who treats childhood cancers and blood disorders such as leukemia, brain tumors, sickle cell disease and hemophilia.
- 36
36. Pediatric Pulmonologist
Specialty within pediatrician, general
- Median pay
- $282,000typical, Doximity Physician Compensation Report 2025
- Growth
- +1.5%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Doctorate
Pediatrician who treats breathing and lung disorders in children, including severe asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic lung disease of prematurity.
- 37
37. Pediatrician, General
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $210,040median a year
- Growth
- +1.5%
- Openings / yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in children.
- 38
38. Pediatric Dentist
Specialty within dentist
- Median pay
- $307,820typical, American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, Survey of Dental Practice
- Growth
- +5.7%
- Openings / yr
- 4,200
- Education
- Doctorate
Dental specialist who provides oral care for infants, children, teenagers and patients with special health care needs.
- 39
39. Augmentative and Alternative Communication Specialist
Specialty within speech-language pathologist
- Median pay
- $97,870median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +16.6%
- Openings / yr
- 12,500
- Education
- Master's
A speech-language specialist who assesses people who cannot rely on speech and fits them with communication boards, apps or speech-generating devices.
- 40
40. Speech-Language Pathologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $97,870median a year
- Growth
- +16.6%
- Openings / yr
- 12,500
- Education
- Master's
Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders.
- 41
41. School Psychologist
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $95,990median a year
- Growth
- +0.8%
- Openings / yr
- 3,400
- Education
- Master's
Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school.
- 42
42. Instructional Technologist
Specialty within instructional coordinator
- Median pay
- $77,440median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +1.6%
- Openings / yr
- 23,100
- Education
- Master's
Helps teachers and faculty use classroom technology, learning platforms and digital tools to improve how students learn.
- 43
43. Lactation Consultant
Specialty within health education specialist
- Median pay
- $64,070median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +5.6%
- Openings / yr
- 6,900
- Education
- Bachelor's
Helps parents establish and maintain breastfeeding and solves clinical feeding problems for newborns and infants.
- 44
44. International School Teacher
Specialty within elementary school teacher
- Median pay
- $63,970median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −0.4%
- Openings / yr
- 87,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
A licensed teacher who works at an American or international school overseas, teaching an American, British or IB curriculum.
- 45
45. Child Life Specialist
Specialty within recreational therapist
- Median pay
- $61,960median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.8%
- Openings / yr
- 1,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Helps children and families cope with hospitalization, illness, and medical procedures through play, preparation, and education.
- 46
46. Play Therapist
Specialty within mental health counselor
- Median pay
- $60,320median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +10.9%
- Openings / yr
- 97,700
- Education
- Master's
A licensed mental health clinician who treats children using play, toys, and art as the main language of therapy.
- 47
47. Children's Book Illustrator
Specialty within fine artist, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
- Median pay
- $55,490median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −2.9%
- Openings / yr
- 2,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Creates illustrations for picture books, early readers and middle-grade novels published for children.
- 48
48. Museum Educator
Specialty within museum technician and conservator
- Median pay
- $51,440median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings / yr
- 1,600
- Education
- Bachelor's
Designs and leads tours, school programs, workshops and family activities that help visitors learn from a museum's collection.
Questions
Jobs Working With Kids: FAQ
What is the top career on the jobs working with kids list?
Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary leads the list with a median wage of $105,870 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of -0.3% over 2025–2035. Typical entry-level education is master's.
How was this list put together?
Careers working mainly with children and teens: teachers, pediatric clinicians, child life and school specialists, counsellors and youth program leaders. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Careers working mainly with children and teens: teachers, pediatric clinicians, child life and school specialists, counsellors and youth program leaders. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and O*NET 31.0 Database.
How much do jobs working with kids pay?
Across the 48 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $64,350 a year, from $34,980 at the bottom to $559,030 at the top (BLS OEWS May 2025 and the industry compensation sources cited on each career page). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.
How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?
5 of the 48 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035).