Examining Compensation Across Child Life Specialist Programs in the United States

Certified Child Life Specialists are essential healthcare team members, yet compensation is a frequently cited driver of decreased staffing retention and reduced employee wellbeing. Research to date has not yet systematically examined child life compensation as a potential primary variable of interest. Therefore, this cross-sectional descriptive study employed survey-based methods to examine compensation rates and trends in child life professionals in the United States. A total of 71 clinical child life program leaders reported on the composition and compensation practices of their child life program, along with adjuvant variables related to salary (like benefit provision and merit increase opportunities). Additionally, more detailed information about individual positions within child life teams (including title, salary, education, and full-time status) was provided from 16 child life programs. Descriptive quantitative analyses showed that on average, child life professionals represented in this study earned $67,036.71 annually in salaried roles and $29.02/hour in hourly roles the United States; multiple linear regression models explained those in specialized roles or leadership positions receiving higher levels of compensation. Also, although merit raises were commonly seen across child life programs, these merit raises were often below annual inflation rates. The strongest independent predictors of compensation in this sample were greater years of work experience and position type. This study was a first in the child life profession and provides a beginning understanding of compensation practices and trends, highlighting the need for continued research in this area.