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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Lactation Consultant in California is $81,456 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Certified Lactation Consultant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Certified Lactation Consultant Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $97,521 | $8,127 | $1,875 | $47 |
| Average | $81,456 | $6,788 | $1,566 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,170 | $6,014 | $1,388 | $35 |
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford - Stanford, CA
Vista Community Clinic - Vista, CA
Sutter Health - Danville, CA
Sutter Health - Livermore, CA
A Certified Lactation Consultant'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Lactation Consultant'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 Certified Lactation Consultant | $75,443 |
| Intermediate Level Certified Lactation Consultant | $75,685 |
| Senior Level Certified Lactation Consultant | $76,655 |
| Specialist Level Certified Lactation Consultant | $78,110 |
| Expert Level Certified Lactation Consultant | $83,018 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Certified Lactation Consultants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Certified Lactation Consultant 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, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Certified Lactation Consultant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Certified Lactation Consultant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $97,748 | $47.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Certified Lactation Consultant'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $97,521 | $8,127 | $1,875 | $47 |
| Average | $81,456 | $6,788 | $1,566 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,170 | $6,014 | $1,388 | $35 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Certified Lactation Consultant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Sutter Health
Fremont, CA
Sutter Health | Fremont, CA
Lactation Consultant. We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health. Organization: PAMF-Palo Alto Medical Foundation ALD. Position Overview: R... more
9 Days Ago
Choc
Orange, CA
Choc | Orange, CA
Lactation Consultant. Work Location: Orange, California. Work Shift: Day 08hrs (United States of America). At CHOC, we strive to be the leading destination... more
9 Days Ago
Sutter Health
San Francisco, CA
Sutter Health | San Francisco, CA
Join Sutter Health. Provides breastfeeding assistance with a focus in our NICU, and childbirth education programs to all applicable patients. Facilitates l... more
5 Days Ago
HUCKEYE HEALTH SERVICES LLC
Costa Mesa, CA
HUCKEYE HEALTH SERVICES LLC | Costa Mesa, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Virtual Lactation Consultant needed at hospital in Newport Beach, CA. COMPENSATION: $22/HR. Assignment Length: 6 months w... more
8 Days Ago
Tenet Healthcare
Cathedral City, CA
Tenet Healthcare | Cathedral City, CA
Be The First To Apply. Focus on the core content of the job post, removing any extra metadata, navigation mentions, and redundant headers. Keep the formatt... more
7 Days Ago
Stanford Health Care Tri-valley
Pleasanton, CA
Stanford Health Care Tri-valley | Pleasanton, CA
Lactation Center Staff. If you're ready to be part of our legacy of hope and innovation, we encourage you to take the first step and explore our current jo... more
8 Days Ago
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