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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Child Specialist in Virginia is $57,716 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.
However, a Child Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Child Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $63,095 | $5,258 | $1,213 | $30 |
| Average | $57,716 | $4,810 | $1,110 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,749 | $4,146 | $957 | $24 |
Richmond Traditional Martial Arts - Mechanicsville, VA
Intercept Health - Newport News, VA
Inova Health System - Fairfax, VA
Intercept Health - Chester, VA
A Child Specialist'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 Child Specialist'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 Specialist | $56,079 |
| Intermediate Level Child Specialist | $56,452 |
| Senior Level Child Specialist | $57,716 |
| Specialist Level Child Specialist | $58,903 |
| Expert Level Child Specialist | $59,061 |
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 Child Specialists. 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 Child Specialist 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 Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Child Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $75,031 | $36.0 | 30% |
Understanding how a Child Specialist'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 | $63,095 | $5,258 | $1,213 | $30 |
| Average | $57,716 | $4,810 | $1,110 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,749 | $4,146 | $957 | $24 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Child Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Intercept Health
Henrico, VA
Intercept Health | Henrico, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Child Behavior SpecialistEntry level pay starts at $20 for direct care and increases based on experience and certificatio... more
11 Days Ago
Intercept Health
Richmond, VA
Intercept Health | Richmond, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Child Behavior SpecialistEntry level pay starts at $20 for direct care and increases based on experience and certificatio... more
11 Days Ago
Mosaic Pediatric Therapy
Roanoke, VA
Mosaic Pediatric Therapy | Roanoke, VA
North Carolina's Premier Aba Therapy Provider For Children With Autism. We are a values-driven company and are dedicated to providing world-class ABA thera... more
7 Days Ago
Mosaic Pediatric Therapy
Henrico, VA
Mosaic Pediatric Therapy | Henrico, VA
ABA Therapy Provider for Children with Autism. We are a values-driven company and are dedicated to providing world-class ABA therapy services to our early ... more
9 Days Ago
Inova Health System
Falls Church, VA
Inova Health System | Falls Church, VA
Child Life Specialist 1 PRN. Inova Fairfax Medical Campus is looking for a dedicated Child Life Specialist 1 PRN to join the team. This role will be PRN wo... more
9 Days Ago
Compass Behavioral Group
Louisa, VA
Compass Behavioral Group | Louisa, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Launch Your Career in ABA with Compass: Make a Meaningful Difference as a Behavior Technician. About Us. Compass Behavior... more
8 Days Ago
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