Introduction:

Children are some of the most precious people in our lives, and loving children can give you great fulfillment professionally as well as personally. If you’re thinking about a career where you’ll be working with children, these eight high-paying career options should be on your list to research further.

 

 1) Child Development Specialists

Child development specialists care for children ages 0 to 5. They help these children reach important milestones, like walking and talking. It’s not a 9-to-5 job – child development specialists spend much of their time caring for infants and children who are ill or have special needs. Educational requirements include at least a bachelor’s degree in child development, psychology or a related field. Annual salaries range from $33,200 to $61,580. The median salary is $42,650. Top earners can make more than $66,800 per year. Most jobs require experience working with young children and good communication skills. In addition to education, many employers prefer candidates with experience as teachers or nannies. Other skills that may be helpful include creativity, organization and leadership abilities. Many employers also prefer candidates with CPR certification. Candidates must also pass a background check and physical exam before they can work with young children. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for child development specialists is expected to grow by 22 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is faster than average growth rate. However, because most people do not need formal training to become child development specialists, competition will be high for entry-level positions.

 

2) Speech Therapists

Speech therapists have one of the most emotionally fulfilling careers on our list, as they work with some of society’s most at-risk youth. Because speech is one of our earliest forms of communication and an indicator to our overall development, these professionals often teach children how to speak properly, read and write, or even overcome developmental disorders like autism. Speech therapists can expect to earn up to $75,000 annually. The field requires a master’s degree and licensure. [Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences] Now that you have all that information, we need you to create a story around it that connects with your audience.
Some questions you might ask yourself are:
1) What was my biggest takeaway from writing that post?
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3) What made me feel something? (Angry, happy, sad?) And why did I feel that way? What would my friends say about what I just wrote? Why would they say it? What is their opinion on what I just wrote? How does writing a post like that make me feel? Did anyone read my post and change their mind or opinion because of it? Did anyone have a different reaction to it than you expected them to have when you first started writing it? If so, how do you think you could improve your next post to get more of a reaction out of people who read your work in general and not just one specific person who might be reading it right now.

 

 3) Physical Therapists

If you love working with children, then a career as a physical therapist is just right for you. Physical therapists are often paid by insurance companies and will spend their time assessing what ails your child, designing a plan to get them up and running again, and doing physical therapy exercises with them. Physical therapists typically work with kids in schools or sports settings. They might also be called upon to help with homebound students who have special needs. This can be a physically demanding job that requires some travel and long hours—but it’s worth it if you enjoy helping others!
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners: Nurse practitioners (NPs) are medical professionals who can diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and even perform surgery under certain circumstances. NPs also work with patients to manage chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma. If you enjoy working with women and children, then an NP career might be a good fit for you—and it’s one of those jobs that pays really well! The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that NPs earn an average annual salary of $102,000. That number is higher in some states and lower in others, but regardless of where you live, it’s definitely worth considering if you love helping people.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners has a list of schools offering accredited NP programs here .
#2 Speech Language Pathologist: In most states, becoming a speech language pathologist requires earning at least a master’s degree in communication disorders from an accredited university program.


4) Physician Assistants

Physician assistants, or PAs, are trained professionals who work under physicians and surgeons to provide medical assistance. They handle administrative tasks in addition to diagnosing and treating illnesses. A physician assistant salary can range from $45,000 to over $90,000 annually based on experience and location. If you’re interested in science and medicine, a career as a PA could be right up your alley! This list is not all inclusive. Other positions that fall into this category include physical therapist assistants, occupational therapy assistants, speech language pathologist assistants, mental health counselor aides and registered nurse aides.
Most of these positions require at least an associate degree but some may only require a certificate program of 1 year or less. These programs can be found in community colleges, vocational schools and online programs. The most important thing to remember is that you need to do your research to ensure that you are getting quality training in order to make sure that you are prepared for your career path. You will also want to check with your state licensing board as there may be specific certification requirements before you can practice. Physician assistants earn on average $70,000 per year with a range from $48,000-$89,000 per year depending on experience and location.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment opportunities for physician assistants will grow by 26% between 2012-2022 which is much faster than average growth rate of all occupations during that time period.

career children


5) Nurses

Nurses often spend a lot of time with children and can get to know them on a personal level. You’ll need good bedside manner (and maybe a college degree in nursing) to be eligible for most positions, but you can earn some seriously big bucks as an RN. The average salary is around $72,000 per year—though top earners make well over $100,000 annually. If you’re interested in working with kids but don’t want to go back to school for a four-year degree, consider becoming an LPN or LVN instead; both are considered advanced practice registered nurses and require two years of schooling after high school. Licensed practical nurses work under doctors and perform many of the same duties as registered nurses, but they do not administer medications. Licensed vocational nurses typically work in a hospital setting, taking care of patients with medical needs that require minimal assistance from doctors. They also provide basic health care services such as changing bandages, administering shots and performing lab tests. In addition to these roles, certified nurse assistants help provide patient care by assisting nurses with tasks such as bathing, dressing and feeding patients. Some may also help prepare meals or clean rooms. They generally receive training through community colleges or technical schools; requirements vary depending on where you live.

 

6) Social Workers

Social workers love kids, and they do much more than simply offer parenting advice. They help provide foster care, conduct family counseling, and serve as advocates for children and parents who are in conflict with social services. Educational requirements include an MSW (Master of Social Work) degree or a Ph.D. in psychology with a specialization in human behavior. Median salary: $46,640
Meanwhile, child psychologists are trained to diagnose emotional disorders. They also focus on prevention rather than treatment; some pediatricians have advanced degrees in child psychology so that they can identify patients that might need extra help outside of their office hours. Most states require licensing as well as two years of supervised practice after completing graduate school before you can become certified. Service technicians work with children who have special needs and often work directly with families and schools.
Vocational teachers help disabled students learn job skills such as computer operation or home management.
Child care workers take care of kids while parents are at work or out running errands.
Nurses and medical assistants who specialize in pediatrics make sure kids stay healthy by administering vaccines, taking vital signs, performing diagnostic tests, and educating children about hygiene and nutrition. Teachers work with kids of all ages and abilities to teach them how to read, write, speak a foreign language, or do math.
Child life specialists help sick children cope with their illnesses by running play groups and art classes. They also facilitate hospital visits from family members and friends so that patients can enjoy time outside of their treatment rooms.

 

7) Psychologists

If you have a background in psychology, then there’s a good chance you’ll have some great career options open to you once you earn your degree. Average yearly earnings here range from $48,000 (for child and adolescent psychologists) to $77,000 (for clinical and school psychologists). But don’t worry—if psychology isn’t your specialty, there are plenty of other options available! Child development specialists earn around $52,000 per year. Speech pathologists can expect to make about $54,000. And special education teachers take home an average salary of $56,000. Read on for more information about these positions and others that fall under child development careers umbrella... The Department of Labor reports that child psychologists who work with children with mental or emotional disorders can expect to earn around $51,600 annually. Those who treat pediatric patients will typically bring home closer to $57,500 per year. Most private practices employ at least one psychologist; therefore, it’s not uncommon for them to be responsible for hiring their own staff. This is another reason why earning a master’s degree is highly recommended before embarking on a career as a child psychologist. As far as educational requirements go, most states require candidates to hold at least a master’s degree before they can become licensed as practicing psychologists.

 

8) Early Childhood Education Teachers

Early childhood education teachers primarily instruct children under five years old. They help children develop social, cognitive and physical skills that lay a foundation for success in school. These professionals work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers in public or private schools or at child care centers. Earning $47,140 per year on average, early childhood education teachers receive above-average pay because of their specialized expertise in teaching very young children. Salaries are highest in California, where they earn an average of $63,580 annually. However, most states offer comparable salaries between $40,000 and $50,000 per year. The field is expected to grow by 19 percent through 2020, which is faster than average compared to other occupations. This growth will result in an estimated 35,700 new jobs over that time period. Many job openings will come from retiring baby boomers. In addition, as more parents recognize how important it is to have their children learn social and life skills from a young age, demand for qualified educators should continue to rise.

 

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