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Child Development Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Child Development Assistant make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Child Development Assistant in the United States is $56,032 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, a Child Development Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $65,828
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,178 to $61,160
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,117
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Child Development Assistant Salaries

A Child Development Assistant'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Child Development Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Child Development Assistant'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $55,418
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $55,786
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $57,036
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $58,203
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,359
Levels Salary
Entry Level Child Development Assistant$55,418
Intermediate Level Child Development Assistant$55,786
Senior Level Child Development Assistant$57,036
Specialist Level Child Development Assistant$58,203
Expert Level Child Development Assistant$58,359
View as Graph

How Do Child Development Assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Child Development Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,039.
  • California: $61,804.
  • Massachusetts: $60,980.

Top Paying Cities for Child Development Assistants

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:

  • San Jose: $70,674
  • San Francisco: $69,900
  • Oakland: $68,427

What Skills Can Increase a Child Development Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Written Communication (Mentioned in 5.28% Job Postings): Communicating information through written media to educate, inform and influence the target audience.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 6.47% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • Case Management (Mentioned in 3.33% Job Postings): Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
Skills Demand Percentage
Written Communication 5.28%
CPR 6.47%
Case Management 3.33%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Child Development Assistant's salary.

  • Facilitation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Facilitation $58,274
4%
Flexibility $57,713
3%
Coordination $57,713
3%
Get Latest Data

Child Development Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Child Development Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Child Development Assistant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Child Development Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Child Development Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$72,842$35.030%

How Education impacts a Child Development Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Child Development Assistants enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Child Development Assistant with a Associate's Degree is between $56,598 and $60,239).

Child Development Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Child Development Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.7%
High School 2.7%
Associates 3.6%
Bachelors 60.5%
Masters 31.7%
Doctorate 1.5%
View as Graph

Child Development Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Child Development Assistant'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 September 01, 2026
$47,178
Average $56,032/year
$61,160
$3,932
Average $4,669/month
$5,097
$907
Average $1,078/week
$1,176
$23
Average $27/hour
$29
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $61,160 $5,097 $1,176 $29
Average $56,032 $4,669 $1,078 $27
25th Percentile $47,178 $3,932 $907 $23

Most common benefits for Child Development Assistant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Child Development Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Child Development Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Child Development Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Child Development Assistant?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Child Development Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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