Best Lactation Consulting Careers + Salary Outlook

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What We Do

Lactation consultants are nurses with a highly specialized role. They work with new mothers, ensuring that they are able to breastfeed their newborn babies. They also provide education on the importance of breastfeeding and may run breastfeeding classes as well. These consultants are patient, effective communicators, and passionate about helping babies and their mothers. Most have breastfed themselves, although this is not a requirement for the job. Often, these professionals speak to the public, thus becoming breastfeeding advocates.

Work Environment

Most lactation consultants can be found in hospitals, in the delivery wards and postpartum recovery rooms. They work directly with mothers to teach them how to latch on, how to hold the baby, and how often to feed. Essentially, they teach new mothers the art of breastfeeding. Because babies can be born anywhere, at any time, lactation consultants are also found in various locations. These include clinics, schools, running their own business, in new mothers’ homes, community settings, and so on.

How to Become a Lactation Consulting

Lactation consultants are first and foremost registered nurses (RNs), which means they have a nursing diploma, an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), or bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Most are then placed on the delivery ward, which is where they can start to develop their skills specific to lactation consulting.

Training & Certification Requirements

Various certification requirements are in place for someone who wants to become a lactation consultant. First of all, in order to become an RN, they must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs, which is the NCLEX-RN. Secondly, after having receive sufficient training and experience, they must pass the certification examination through the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, Inc. Different states may also have further requirements in place for certification of nurses and lactation consultants. Furthermore, all certification is valid for a set period of time only and must be renewed through continuous education credits or by retaking the examination. Full details are available through each state’s Board of Nursing.

Lactation Consulting Related Job Titles

According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Lactation Consulting.

Career/Job Title	Average Salary
Lactation Consultant	$54,000
Certified Nurse Midwife	$84,000
Physician Family Medicine Ob	$205,000

Lactation Consulting Earning Potential

The median salary for all registered nurses was $67,490 per year in May 2015. However, lactation consultants are specialty trained nurses, which means they are more likely to be found in the top 10% of earners, who earned $101,630 and above in May 2015.

Lactation Consulting Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a much faster than average growth in the demand for registered nurses, expecting it to be 16% from 2014 to 2024.

According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Lactation Consulting was $112,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide are 95% higher than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.

Lactation Consulting Salary by State

The following lists Lactation Consulting salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $141,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $70,000.

Alaska – $83,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 48th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$83,000	.

Alabama – $114,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 13th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$114,000	.

Arkansas – $115,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 12th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$115,000	.

Arizona – $92,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 44th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$92,000	.

California – $121,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 8th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country.
There were also job openings from employers like Clinical Management Consultants, Scripps Health, Sierra View Medical Center, and UCLA Health.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$121,000	.

Colorado – $100,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 33rd

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$100,000	.

Connecticut – $130,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 4th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$130,000	.

DC – $141,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 1st

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$141,000	.

Delaware – $99,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 37th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$99,000	.

Florida – $105,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 27th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country.
There were also job openings from employers like Florida Hospital.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$105,000	.

Georgia – $128,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 5th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$128,000	.

Hawaii – $70,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 51st

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$70,000	.

Iowa – $110,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 19th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$110,000	.

Idaho – $74,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 50th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$74,000	.

Illinois – $128,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 6th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$128,000	.

Indiana – $108,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 23rd

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$108,000	.

Kansas – $103,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 30th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$103,000	.

Kentucky – $97,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 41st

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$97,000	.

Louisiana – $101,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 32nd

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$101,000	.

Massachusetts – $135,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 3rd

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$135,000	.

Maryland – $116,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 10th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country.
There were also job openings from employers like Under Armour.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$116,000	.

Maine – $100,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 34th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$100,000	.

Michigan – $114,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 14th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$114,000	.

Minnesota – $98,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 39th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$98,000	.

Missouri – $111,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 16th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$111,000	.

Mississippi – $118,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 9th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$118,000	.

Montana – $94,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 42nd

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$94,000	.

North Carolina – $107,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 25th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$107,000	.

North Dakota – $100,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 35th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$100,000	.

Nebraska – $82,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 49th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$82,000	.

New Hampshire – $111,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 17th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$111,000	.

New Jersey – $122,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 7th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$122,000	.

New Mexico – $98,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 40th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$98,000	.

Nevada – $86,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 46th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$86,000	.

New York – $136,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 2nd

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country.
There were also job openings from employers like Clinical Management Consultants.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$136,000	.

Ohio – $108,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 24th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country.
There were also job openings from employers like Clinical Management Consultants.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$108,000	.

Oklahoma – $104,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 29th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$104,000	.

Oregon – $109,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 20th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$109,000	.

Pennsylvania – $109,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 21st

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$109,000	.

Rhode Island – $103,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 31st

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$103,000	.

South Carolina – $111,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 18th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$111,000	.

South Dakota – $85,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 47th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$85,000	.

Tennessee – $105,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 28th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$105,000	.

Texas – $109,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 22nd

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country.
There were also job openings from employers like The Clinical Recruiter, Global Consulting International, North Austin Medical Center, and Methodist Health System.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$109,000	.

Utah – $88,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 45th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country.
There were also job openings from employers like Intermountain Healthcare.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$88,000	.

Virginia – $113,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 15th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$113,000	.

Vermont – $99,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 38th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$99,000	.

Washington – $116,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 11th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$116,000	.

Wisconsin – $100,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 36th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$100,000	.

West Virginia – $106,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 26th

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

In USD as of October 24, 2016		60k	120k	180k
Lactation Consulting	$106,000	.

Wyoming – $93,000
(Low Confidence (less than 75 sources))

Rank: 43rd

Average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Lactation Consulting salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country.
There were no current job openings from employers in this state.