Student Resources Careers 8 Types of Child Psychology Careers By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book." Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 09, 2024 Learn more." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Cara Lustik Fact checked by Cara Lustik Cara Lustik is a fact-checker and copywriter. Learn about our editorial process Print Trending Videos Close this video player At a Glance Child psychology careers can be a great way to put your psychology degree to great use. Such jobs often focus on helping kids deal with emotional, developmental, social, academic, or behavioral concerns. A few great careers in child psychology include becoming a:Child psychologistSchool psychologistDevelopmental psychologistSchool counselorFamily therapistAnimal-assisted therapistArt therapistSocial workerLet's take a closer look at what these careers involve, typical salaries, and educational requirements. Working with children can be fun and challenging, a perfect mix for people who love kids and are looking for a rewarding career. One of the greatest things about choosing a child-related profession is that you have the opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of the kids, particularly those who may be vulnerable, at-risk, or in need of assistance. If you're looking for a fulfilling career, consider some child psychology careers that involve helping children fulfill their physical, mental, educational, and social needs. Child Psychologist Steve Debenport / Getty Images Child psychologists deal specifically with the psychological, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of children. These professionals can work in a wide variety of settings, including schools, private practice, hospitals, and research settings. Child psychologists employed in school settings may help children struggling with behavior issues, while those who work in private therapy practices often assess, diagnose, and treat specific mental disorders. Education While there are some positions available with a master's degree, you will generally find a wider range of job opportunities at the doctoral level. Salary Payscale.com suggests that as of 2024, the median yearly salary for child psychologists was $72,862. A child therapist salary can vary considerably depending on factors such as geographic location, educational background, and years of experience. School Psychologist BURGER/PHANIE / Getty Images School psychologists are dedicated to helping children succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. These professionals work within the school system, allying with educators, administrators, counselors, and parents to help kids with school and other issues. School psychologists perform a wide range of functions, including providing counseling, diagnosing learning problems, creating positive learning environments, and designing specific behavioral interventions. Education Most states require school psychologists to hold a specialist degree, although some do permit people to become licensed with a master's degree. An EdS specialist degree in school psychology usually takes two years of graduate study plus a one-year internship in a supervised setting. Salary The mean annual salary for psychologists employed in elementary and secondary schools was $82,770 as of May 2021. Developmental Psychologist BURGER/PHANIE / Getty Images Developmental psychologists study the human growth and development process. While some developmental psychologists are interested in the aging process or lifespan development, some choose to focus specifically on children. Developmental psychologists often conduct research on topics such as how language skills are acquired, how moral reasoning develops, or how early childhood attachment impacts later relationships. Other developmental psychologists work directly with children doing things such as determining if a child has a specific developmental delay or disability. Education Most developmental psychologists hold a PhD or PsyD in developmental psychology. Salary As of 2024, the median annual salary for developmental psychologists was between $64,440 and $86,309, according to the Salary Wizard at Salary.com. School Counselor Steve Debenport / Getty Images School counselors help students cope with school and personal issues as well as helping them succeed academically. Counselors also offer educational, personal, career, and social counseling services to students. These professionals often help students with academic planning such as choosing classes, determining which colleges they might want to attend, and exploring various career options. They also offer advice and counseling to students struggling with personal problems, help resolve social conflicts, and assist students in developing new skills. Education In most states, graduation from an accredited master's program, a period of supervised clinical experience, and the completion of state licensing exams are required to work as a school counselor. Salary According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median yearly salary for a school counselor working in an elementary or secondary school was $65,930 as of 2022. Family Therapists Steve Debenport / Getty Images Family therapists work with children and families to diagnose and treat mental illness. They also help families deal with emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioral problems that affect individuals and the family as a whole. They may do this by offering family therapy services to an individual and counseling sessions focused on the family unit. Education Educational, licensing, and certification requirements can vary by state. Many family therapists are licensed counselors who hold a master's degree in counseling. Others might hold a doctorate degree in psychology or a master's degree in social work. Salary The Department of Labor reports that as of May 2022, the yearly median salary for family therapists was $56,570. Animal-Assisted Therapist Jeffrey Rotman / Getty Images Animal-assisted therapy is a growing field in psychology that involves offering therapeutic services with the assistance of pets. Research has shown that interacting with animals can have a number of benefits such as improving emotional, cognitive, social, and physical functioning. While animal-assisted therapists can work with people of all ages, some choose to specialize in working with children suffering from physical or developmental difficulties such as delayed physical development or autism spectrum disorders. Education At a minimum, you will need a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, nursing, education, or a related area. A graduate degree in counseling, social work, occupational therapy, or psychology may lead to increased job opportunities and earnings. Additionally, you should receive training specifically in animal-assisted therapy. Some colleges and universities now offer an animal-assisted therapy certificate. Salary Earnings vary widely depending on the training, qualifications, and employment area. For example, physical therapists earn an average of $97,720 while psychologists earn an average of $85,330. Art Therapist Dean Mitchell / Getty Images Art therapists utilize art as an expressive medium to help people experiencing psychological distress and mental illness. Professionals in this field combine principles from psychotherapy with art and the creative process to enhance the well-being and mental health of their clients. Art therapists often work with children experiencing developmental delays, children suffering from anxiety, and kids who have endured some type of trauma. Education While specific requirements vary by state, most require you to become licensed to provide psychotherapy services. This might involve earning a doctorate in psychology, a master's in counseling or a master's in social work. The Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc. (ATCB) offers a credentialing program that allows professionals to become board-certified, registered or licensed art therapists. Salary Yearly earnings vary considerably based on your educational background, years of experience, and geographic location. National salary data from Payscale.com suggests that the median salary for an art therapist in 2024 is $49,760. Social Worker Christopher Futcher / Getty Images Social workers perform a wide range of duties, but many specialize in working with children. A few of the things that a social worker might do regularly include: Helping kids overcome behavior problemsFinding resources in their communities to help young clientsProtecting vulnerable clients to ensure their best interests are upheldActing as advocates for children Helping single parents, arranging foster care and adoptions, and counseling children are common tasks that a social worker might perform. Education While a bachelor degree in social work is the minimum degree required to enter the field, jobs are more abundant with a master's degree in social work. Salary The median pay for social workers as of May 2022 was $55,350. The National Association of Social Workers reports that those with a master's degree earn $13,000 a year more than those with a bachelor's degree. What This Means For You These are just a few different types of child psychology jobs that you might want to consider if you are interested in helping kids. Such jobs can be challenging at times, but they can also be very rewarding. If you are interested in child development and enjoy working with kids, consider going into one of these fascinating fields. How Much Do Therapists and Psychologists Make? 11 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Payscale. Average child psychologist salary. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 19-3034 School psychologists: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021. Salary.com. Developmental Psychologist Salary in the United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Marriage and Family Therapists. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. NIH News in Health. The Power of Pets: Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interactions. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physical Therapists. Van Lith T. Art therapy in mental health: A systematic review of approaches and practices. The Arts in Psychotherapy. 2016;47:9-22. doi:10.1016/j.aip.2015.09.003 Payscale. Average Art Therapist Salary. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Social workers: Pay. Occupational Outlook Handbook. National Association of Social Workers. Social Work Salaries. By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book." See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit