20 Rewarding Jobs Working with Kids: Careers, Credentials & Pay
There are more than 20 rewarding jobs working with kids across education, healthcare, social work, and behavioral health. Some require advanced degrees and licensure, while others are accessible with a certificate or on-the-job training. What they all have in common: the chance to make a real difference in a child’s life every single day.
Few decisions feel as meaningful as choosing a career where your work directly shapes a child’s future. Whether you’re drawn to the clinical side of behavioral health, the structured world of education, or the nurturing environment of early childhood care, there’s a path for you. The field is broad, the demand is strong, and the personal rewards are hard to overstate.
This guide covers 20 of the most rewarding jobs working with kids, including what each role involves, what credentials you’ll need, and what makes each one worth pursuing.
Behavioral Health Careers Working with Kids
Applied behavior analysis is one of the most in-demand fields for professionals who want to work with children. ABA isn’t limited to autism therapy, though the connection is strong. ABA-based interventions are most widely used for autism and developmental disabilities, but behavioral strategies are also applied to challenges such as ADHD and behavioral effects of traumatic brain injuries.
ABA Therapist
An ABA therapist develops and delivers individualized treatment plans to improve a child’s behavior and communication skills. The role involves direct, hands-on work with children, close collaboration with families, and regular progress monitoring to measure outcomes. Many ABA therapists begin as Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) or behavior technicians working under a BCBA. Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) requires a master’s degree with qualifying ABA coursework, supervised fieldwork, and passing the BCBA certification exam. Some states also require additional licensure, so it’s worth checking your state’s specific requirements.
Child Psychologist or Therapist
A child psychologist specializes in assessing, diagnosing, and treating behavioral, social, and emotional issues in young patients. Many work in private practice while also collaborating with schools and medical providers. You’ll typically need a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology to practice as a licensed psychologist, along with state licensure.
Child Psychiatrist
Child psychiatrists are medical doctors who treat mental health conditions in children. Unlike psychologists, they can prescribe medication, which makes them a critical part of the care team for children with more complex diagnoses. The path: a medical degree, a general psychiatry residency, a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship, and board certification.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists work with children and families to navigate mental health challenges and relationship difficulties. They provide talk therapy, teach practical coping strategies, and support children through major life transitions. A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field is required, along with state licensure.
Education Careers
Teacher
It’s impossible to talk about jobs working with kids without leading with teaching. A good teacher does far more than deliver academic content. They support students emotionally, adapt to different learning styles, and sometimes serve as the most consistent, encouraging adult in a child’s life. Elementary teachers typically cover multiple subjects, while middle and high school teachers specialize in one discipline. You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, usually in education or your subject area, plus state certification. Many teachers also earn master’s degrees in education or in the subject they teach.
School Counselor
School counselors design and deliver counseling programs that improve student outcomes across academic, social, and emotional domains. They meet with kids individually, run group sessions, help with future planning, and support students through grief, stress, and family difficulty. A master’s degree in school counseling from a state-approved program is required, along with the credentialing your state mandates.
School Principal
Principals keep the whole operation running. They manage schedules, develop curriculum, handle discipline, and work closely with teachers, families, and students. It’s a role that requires equal parts leadership, empathy, and organizational skill. Most principals hold a master’s degree in education or educational leadership, plus a school administrator license.
Preschool or Childcare Center Director
With the under-five population growing, demand for qualified childcare leadership is strong. Directors at these centers manage daily operations, hire and train staff, oversee budgets, and develop the educational programs that shape a child’s earliest learning experiences. A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education is typically required, with state licensing requirements varying.
Children’s Librarian
A children’s librarian does a lot more than check out books. They plan storytime programs, host community events, build reading lists, and help spark a genuine love of literature in kids who might not find it anywhere else. A master of library science (MLS) degree or a master’s in education with a library media concentration is the standard path.
Coach
Youth coaches have a significant role in child development, far beyond whatever sport they’re teaching. They build confidence, model resilience, teach teamwork, and make sure kids are having fun doing something healthy. Effective coaches work well with children, communicate clearly with parents, and have real knowledge of their sport. A bachelor’s degree in sports science, physical education, or a related field can be helpful, though it isn’t always required.
Healthcare Careers Working with Children
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-language pathologists work with children who have communication and swallowing disorders, ranging from speech delays and language disorders to voice and feeding challenges. They assess, diagnose, and treat these conditions, and they often train families to support their child’s progress at home. To become an SLP, you’ll need a master’s degree in communicative disorders or speech-language pathology from a program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), 400 supervised clinical hours, and a passing score on the national board exam to earn your Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). Additional certifications are available for SLPs who want to specialize further.
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Pediatric PTs work with patients under 18 who have genetic, neurological, musculoskeletal, or sports-related conditions. They help children build strength, improve movement patterns, develop flexibility, and increase their range of motion. The credential requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited program, plus a state licensure exam.
Pediatric Nutritionist
Pediatric nutritionists guide families and children toward healthier eating patterns, assess and treat nutrition-related conditions, and may also address eating disorders in younger patients. You’ll typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nutrition or dietetics and credentialing as a Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN), depending on the role and state requirements.
Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric nurses specialize in caring for patients from infancy through adolescence. They perform diagnostic tests, track medical data, administer treatments, and help children feel safe in what can be a frightening clinical environment. The path requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing and a registered nurse license. Nurses may also pursue the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) credential, though it’s optional.
Pediatrician
A pediatrician manages the physical, behavioral, and mental health of children from birth to age 18. They provide routine and preventive care and handle serious illnesses. The path is long, but the impact is lasting: undergraduate degree, medical school, state licensure, and a residency program.
Pediatric Dental Hygienist
Pediatric dental hygienists clean teeth, educate kids on good oral hygiene habits, and help make the dental office a welcoming place for children who are anxious or scared. The minimum credential is an associate degree from a Commission on Dental Accreditation-approved program, though many earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees. State licensure is required everywhere.
Pediatric Dentist
Pediatric dentists oversee oral health from the first teeth through the teenage years. They prevent decay, repair cavities, manage dental injuries, and help kids build a lifelong positive relationship with dental care. After undergraduate study, you’ll need a dental school degree (DDS or DMD), a passing score on the National Board Dental Examination, licensure, and a two-year pediatric residency.
Social Work and Support Careers
Social Worker
Social workers connect families with the resources they need to provide a better quality of life for their children. That might mean food assistance, job placement services, tutoring programs, or mental health referrals. Child protective services workers take on the harder end of the spectrum, investigating neglect and abuse and placing children in safer environments when necessary. A bachelor’s degree in social work opens doors to generalist roles, while clinical social work roles require a master’s.
Portrait Photographer
This one might surprise you, but portrait photographers who specialize in families spend a significant portion of their careers working with kids. Getting a genuine smile from a toddler or coaxing a teenager out of their shell takes real social skill and patience. Many family photographers are self-employed. While no formal degree is required, coursework in photography and a strong portfolio of family work speak louder than credentials in this field.
Nanny
Nannies build deep, lasting bonds with the children they care for. It’s one of the most intimate working-with-children roles available, and for many families, a skilled nanny becomes a genuine partner in raising their kids. A degree isn’t required, but coursework in early child development is valuable, and CPR and first aid certification are a practical must. Most nannies find work through agencies or platforms built specifically for the profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most in-demand job working with children right now?
ABA therapy, school counseling, and pediatric nursing are among the most consistently in-demand fields. ABA in particular has seen sustained growth as awareness of autism spectrum disorder and related behavioral conditions continues to rise.
Do I need a degree to work with kids?
It depends on the role. Some positions, like nanny, portrait photographer, or youth coach, don’t require a formal degree. Most licensed or clinical roles, including ABA therapist, school counselor, social worker, and anything in pediatric healthcare, require at least a bachelor’s degree and often a master’s.
Can ABA therapists work with children who don’t have autism?
Absolutely. ABA is applied to a wide range of conditions, including ADHD and behavioral challenges stemming from traumatic brain injuries. The techniques are rooted in behavioral science and can be adapted for many different populations and settings.
Is working with kids emotionally difficult?
It can be. Children facing medical, behavioral, or social challenges bring real weight to the work. But most professionals in these fields describe the emotional demands as part of what makes the work meaningful. Strong supervision, self-care, and a good team make a significant difference.
What’s the difference between a child psychologist and a child psychiatrist?
Psychologists assess and treat behavioral and emotional conditions through therapy. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can also prescribe medication. For complex cases, the two often work together as part of a broader care team.
What Degrees Prepare You for Working with Children?
The right degree depends on which path you’re drawn to. A few stand out across multiple roles:
- Bachelor’s or master’s in early childhood development
- Bachelor’s or master’s in education
- Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate in psychology
- Master’s in school counseling
- Master’s in social work
- Master of library science
- Master’s in communicative disorders or speech-language pathology
- Bachelor’s or master’s in nursing
- Law degree (for juvenile justice)
- Medical degree (for pediatrics or child psychiatry)
Do Jobs Working with Kids Pay Well?
The salary range varies widely depending on the specialty. For ABA and behavioral health counselors, the national median for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,190 as of May 2024 (BLS, SOC 21-1018), with the top 10% earning over $98,210. ABA and BCBA professionals often earn above these benchmarks. Healthcare roles like pediatric nursing, speech-language pathology, and pediatrics sit at the higher end of the pay scale, while roles like teaching and coaching tend to be more modest but come with strong benefits and job security.
Any of these careers is worth the time it takes to get there. The pay matters, but most people in these fields will tell you the work itself is the real reward.
Key Takeaways
- More than 20 paths to choose from across behavioral health, education, healthcare, and social work.
- ABA therapy is one of the fastest-growing fields for child-focused work and goes well beyond autism to serve a range of behavioral conditions.
- Most licensed or clinical roles require at least a master’s degree, while support and care roles may be accessible with a certificate or bachelor’s.
- Salary varies significantly by specialty, with healthcare roles at the top and teaching and counseling offering strong stability and community impact.
- Every one of these careers comes with the opportunity to make a measurable difference in a child’s life.
Ready to take the next step? Browse ABA and behavioral health degree programs near you and compare options based on what matters most to your goals.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Note: ABA/BCBA roles are included in this broader BLS category, and actual salaries for these professionals are frequently higher. ABA salaries can vary based on experience, location, and setting. Data accessed February 2026.