Jobs Helping Kids – Plus Tips to Get Hired

Interested in learning about jobs helping kids? There are so many opportunities that involve helping kids that span across fields like education, healthcare, arts, and social work. From teaching a child their first word to mentoring a tween or teen through challenges, each job opportunity allows you to make a meaningful difference in a child’s life. But how do you know which path is right for you?

In this post I’ll explore a variety of jobs helping kids, showing how you can turn your passion for helping children into a rewarding career. Regardless of your specific career goals, there’s a role for you to inspire and uplift the next generation.

There are a wide variety of jobs helping kids, depending on your interests and skills. Here are some options:

Top jobs helping kids

Education and Teaching

1. Teacher (elementary, middle, or high school)
2. Special Education Teacher
3. Homeschool Consultant or Tutor
4. Librarian (specializing in children’s literature or school libraries)
5. Education Program Coordinator (e.g., museum or after-school programs)

Healthcare

1. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
2. Child Psychologist or Counselor
3. Occupational Therapist (working with kids who have developmental challenges)
4. Speech-Language Pathologist
5. Child Life Specialist (helping kids cope with hospital stays and medical treatments)

Creative Fields

1. Children’s Book Author or Illustrator
2. Graphic Designer for Educational Materials
3. Music or Art Teacher (private or in schools)
4. Drama Coach or Theater Instructor

Community and Nonprofit Work

1. Social Worker (focusing on child welfare or family support)
2. Youth Program Coordinator (e.g., YMCA, Boys & Girls Club)
3. Volunteer Coordinator (for child-centered charities)
4. Advocate for Foster or Adoptive Children

Leadership and Mentorship

1. Coach (sports, robotics, or other youth activities)
2. Mentor through organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters
3. Camp Director or Counselor

Education Administration

1. School Administrator (e.g., principal or dean)
2. Educational Policy Analyst
3. Curriculum Developer

Others

1. Childcare Provider (daycare or nannying)
2. Recreational Therapist (using activities to support children’s growth)
3. Behavioral Therapist (helping children with autism or ADHD)

Highest paying jobs helping kids

1. Pediatrician

• What They Do: Diagnose and treat illnesses in children, provide preventative care, and guide parents on health and development.
• Education Requirements: Medical degree (MD or DO), pediatric residency, and board certification.
• Median Salary: $198,000–$250,000/year.

2. Child Psychiatrist

• What They Do: Diagnose and treat mental health disorders in children and adolescents.
• Education Requirements: Medical degree, psychiatry residency, fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry, and board certification.
• Median Salary: $220,000–$300,000/year.

3. Orthodontist (Specializing in Children)

• What They Do: Correct dental issues such as misaligned teeth or jaws in kids and teens.
• Education Requirements: Dental degree, orthodontics residency, and certification.
• Median Salary: $250,000–$400,000/year.

4. Pediatric Surgeon

• What They Do: Perform surgeries on children for congenital issues, trauma, or diseases.
• Education Requirements: Medical degree, general surgery residency, pediatric surgery fellowship, and board certification.
• Median Salary: $300,000–$500,000/year.

5. Educational Consultant

• What They Do: Advise families on educational planning, such as finding the right schools, developing IEPs (Individualized Education Plans), or preparing for college admissions.
• Education Requirements: Often requires a background in teaching, counseling, or education administration.
• Median Salary: $75,000–$120,000/year (independent consultants can earn significantly more).

6. Child Psychologist

• What They Do: Provide therapy and psychological assessments for children with emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges.
• Education Requirements: Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology and licensure.
• Median Salary: $80,000–$120,000/year (private practice may exceed this).

7. Pediatric Dentist

• What They Do: Focus on oral health care for children, including cleanings, fillings, and preventative care.
• Education Requirements: Dental degree, pediatric dentistry residency, and certification.
• Median Salary: $180,000–$300,000/year.

8. Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

• What They Do: Help children with speech, language, and communication issues.
• Education Requirements: Master’s degree in speech-language pathology and licensure.
• Median Salary: $80,000–$100,000/year (higher in private practice).

9. Child Life Specialist (Advanced Leadership Roles)

• What They Do: Help children cope with hospitalization, illness, or trauma through play, education, and support.
• Education Requirements: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in child life, psychology, or a related field; Child Life Certification.
• Median Salary: $60,000–$120,000/year (higher in leadership positions).

10. Educational Administrator (Principal or Superintendent)

• What They Do: Oversee schools and ensure educational success for children.
• Education Requirements: Master’s or doctoral degree in education administration.
• Median Salary: $90,000–$200,000/year.

11. Physical Therapist

• What They Do: Physical therapists assess and treat patients with movement difficulties to promote recovery and improve overall function.”
• Education Requirements: Doctor of Physical Therapy degree
• Median Salary: $85,000–$120,000/year.

What jobs involve working with babies?

1. Healthcare Jobs

1. Neonatal Nurse
   • Cares for premature or sick newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
   • Requirements: Nursing degree, specialization in neonatology (optional).
   • Median Salary: $75,000–$120,000/year.
2. Pediatrician (Specializing in Infants)
   • Provides medical care to babies, including regular checkups, vaccinations, and illness treatment.
   • Requirements: Medical degree, pediatric residency.
   • Median Salary: $198,000–$250,000/year.
3. Obstetrician or Neonatologist
   • Obstetrician: Works with mothers and newborns during delivery.
   • Neonatologist: Specializes in medical care for premature or critically ill newborns.
   • Requirements: Medical degree, specialized residency/fellowship.
   • Median Salary: $250,000–$400,000/year.
4. Midwife
   • Supports mothers through pregnancy, childbirth, and immediate postpartum care for babies.
   • Requirements: Nursing or midwifery degree and certification.
   • Median Salary: $60,000–$120,000/year.
5. Speech-Language Pathologist (Specializing in Infants)
   • Helps babies with feeding or swallowing difficulties.
   • Requirements: Master’s degree in speech-language pathology.
   • Median Salary: $80,000–$100,000/year.

2. Early Childhood Education and Care

1. Infant Caregiver/Daycare Worker
   • Provides care for babies, including feeding, changing, and developmental activities.
   • Requirements: High school diploma or early childhood education certification.
   • Median Salary: $25,000–$35,000/year.
2. Infant Development Specialist
   • Works with babies (often those with developmental delays) to support their growth and milestones.
   • Requirements: Degree in early childhood education, child development, or related fields.
   • Median Salary: $50,000–$70,000/year.
3. Early Intervention Specialist
   • Helps infants with developmental delays or disabilities through therapy and family support.
   • Requirements: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in child development, psychology, or special education.
   • Median Salary: $50,000–$75,000/year.

3. Social and Family Support

1. Doula
   • Provides emotional and physical support to families during and after childbirth, often helping care for newborns.
   • Requirements: Certification (optional).
   • Median Salary: $30,000–$60,000/year (varies by region and clients).
2. Child and Family Social Worker
   • Supports families and ensures babies are in safe, healthy environments.
   • Requirements: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work.
   • Median Salary: $50,000–$65,000/year.
3. Parent Educator
   • Teaches new parents about infant care, development, and parenting skills.
   • Requirements: Degree in education, social work, or a related field.
   • Median Salary: $40,000–$60,000/year.

4. Creative and Specialized Roles

1. Newborn Photographer
   • Captures portraits of newborns and their families.
   • Requirements: Photography skills and experience working with babies.
   • Median Salary: $40,000–$70,000/year (varies by client base).
2. Infant Massage Therapist
   • Helps babies with relaxation, sleep, or medical issues through massage therapy.
   • Requirements: Certification in infant massage therapy.
   • Median Salary: $40,000–$60,000/year.
3. Sleep Consultant
   • Helps families establish healthy sleep habits for babies.
   • Requirements: Certification (optional).
   • Median Salary: $40,000–$80,000/year (depending on clients).
4. Baby Gear Designer
   • Creates safe and functional products like strollers, cribs, and toys for infants.
   • Requirements: Background in design or engineering.
   • Median Salary: $60,000–$100,000/year.

How to land jobs helping kids

1. Define Your Focus

Ask yourself:

• What type of jobs helping kids do you want to do? (e.g., teaching, mentoring, counseling, healthcare, or creative arts).
• What age group excites you the most? (e.g., elementary school kids, teens, or special needs children).
• Do you prefer structured environments (schools) or flexible ones (nonprofits, freelancing)?

2. Build Your Credentials

• Leverage Your Experience: Highlight your homeschooling background, PTA graphic design work, and piano lessons. This shows you’re skilled in teaching, organizing, and engaging with kids.
• Earn Required Certifications:
  • DNP pediatrics (DNP-PNP) prepares practicing registered nurses (RNs) as advanced practice nurses providing primary and acute care to pediatric patients in a variety of settings. 
  • Colleges and universities across the U.S. offer online courses and in-person classes, giving you the option of 100% remote learning or campus time.
  • Clinical placement support is crucial to coursework. Hands-on learning, supervision and applying theory in a real-life environment prepare students for future roles in the field. 
  • For teaching, consider getting a teaching license or certification.
  • For other roles, look into specific qualifications like CPR/First Aid, child development courses, or certifications for coaching or mentoring.
• Consider Further Education: If you’re targeting a specialized role (e.g., counseling or teaching), a degree or professional program (like the Master’s in Education you’re applying for) will strengthen your application.

3. Gain Practical Experience

• Volunteer: Even short-term roles in schools, youth organizations, or camps can help you build a network and credibility.
• Freelance: Offer piano lessons, tutoring, or other creative services to kids to demonstrate hands-on expertise.
• Part-Time or Internships: Start with smaller roles like a teacher’s aide, camp counselor, or after-school program leader.

4. Create a Kid-Friendly Resume

• Emphasize Key Skills: Include communication, patience, adaptability, creativity, and leadership.
• Show Results: Use metrics and stories (e.g., “Developed a curriculum for my homeschooled child, who scored 1580 on the SAT and graduated early.”).
• Tailor Each Application: Focus on the aspects of your experience that match the job description (e.g., for a teaching role, highlight your curriculum planning skills).

5. Build Connections

• Network Locally: Attend school board meetings, PTA events, or community youth programs to meet people in child-focused fields.
• Join Professional Groups: Look into organizations for teachers, child advocates, or other relevant fields.
• Use Your Personal Story: Your experience with homeschooling and helping your child excel is a powerful conversation starter.

6. Target Your Job Search

• Look for Job Boards Focused on Kids:
  • Teaching jobs: Teach.org, EdJoin, or school district websites
  • Nonprofits: Idealist.org, VolunteerMatch
  • Healthcare for kids: Hospital websites or therapy practices
• Cold Outreach: Reach out to schools, programs, or organizations directly to inquire about opportunities.

7. Prepare for Interviews

• Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve positively impacted kids’ lives.
• Show your adaptability and problem-solving skills (e.g., homeschooling successes or creative approaches to teaching piano).
• Express your passion for helping children grow, learn, and succeed.

In summary

Now that you’ve discovered all the amazing jobs helping kids and the paths you can take to gain the skills and education needed, it’s time to jump in and make a difference! Whether you’re volunteering, pursuing a degree, or just looking for ways to get involved, every step counts. Kids need passionate individuals like you to support and inspire them. So, roll up your sleeves, follow your heart, and launch your job search today!