GraduateSmart
GraduateSmart
Help children and families cope with illness, hospitalization, and trauma using therapeutic play, education, and emotional support in hospital settings.
$42,000
Lower reported wage
$61,330
Median
$72,000
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.

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Create free account →Child-life certification has its own academic and clinical rules; it is not a social-work license. [1]
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
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U.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
No Child Life Specialist SOC. Most map to 21-1022 Healthcare Social Workers. Median $61,330 approximates the Social Worker parent group; the 8.5% growth is for 21-1022 itself.
Illustration: AI-generated image · Illustrative scene
Ask whether any internship, field placement, or supervised training in your chosen route is paid; arrangements vary. [1]
Compare tuition after aid, required supplies and exams, travel, and any unpaid training time for the route you choose.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
Related foundation; verify that selected coursework meets child-life certification requirements. [1]
Help children and families cope with healthcare through preparation, play, and support. [1]
Hospitals, clinics, and other child and family support settings. [1]
Patient needs and the employer’s coverage schedule determine hours. [1]
Illness, family distress, and age-specific communication require emotional steadiness. [1]
Experience may lead to program coordination, supervision, or teaching. [1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.