As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Child Life Program Director in Capitola, CA is $120,967 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a Child Life Program Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Child Life Program Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, skills, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Child Life Program Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Child Life Program Director | $113,528 |
| Intermediate Level Child Life Program Director | $114,906 |
| Senior Level Child Life Program Director | $116,283 |
| Specialist Level Child Life Program Director | $117,661 |
| Expert Level Child Life Program Director | $121,398 |
What Am I Worth?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 12.64% |
| First Aid | 4.76% |
| Programming | 1.75% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Builds Networks
|
$145,160 |
20%
|
|
Coordination
|
$131,854 |
9%
|
|
Initiative
|
$130,644 |
8%
|
|
Standard Operating Procedures
|
$129,434 |
7%
|
|
Alignment
|
$128,225 |
6%
|
|
Onboarding
|
$128,225 |
6%
|
Child Life Program Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $128,476. While startup companies pay approximate $109,426.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $109,426 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $115,525 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $124,281 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $128,476 |
For Child Life Program Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Child Life Program Director positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Child Life Program Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $145,160 | $70.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Child Life Program Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Child Life Program Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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