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Child Life Therapist Salary in Lake Elsinore, CA

How much does a Child Life Therapist make in Lake Elsinore, CA?

$88,347 (USD)/year

Average Bonus

$2,156 (USD)

per Year
Total Compensation

$89,373.67

As of July, 23, 2026, the average child life therapist gross salary in Lake Elsinore, California is $88,347 or an equivalent hourly rate of $42. In addition, child life therapists earn an average bonus of $2,156. An entry level child life therapist with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $62,825. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level child life therapist with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $99,115. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in Lake Elsinore, California.
Data powered by ERI

Salary Potential for a Child Life Therapist

Explore the estimated salary growth for a Child Life Therapist in Lake Elsinore, CA for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Child Life Therapist will be $90,627 in 1 year and $100,349 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$92,965
Average Growth
5.2 %
The estimated salary for a Child Life Therapist in 2 years is $92,965, which is 5.2 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.

Typical Child Life Therapist Education

This chart displays the highest level of education for Child Life Therapists.

  • 0% of Child Life Therapists have less than a High School Diploma
  • 0% of Child Life Therapists have a High School Diploma
  • 0% of Child Life Therapists have an Associate's Degree
  • 100% of Child Life Therapists have a Bachelor's Degree
  • 0% of Child Life Therapists have a Master's Degree
  • 0% of Child Life Therapists have a Doctorate Degree

The typical field of study for a Child Life Therapist is Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide Training.

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Popular Skills for a Child Life Therapist

Skills data not available for this job

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Child Life Therapist Salaries in Other Locations

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Cost of Living in Lake Elsinore, CA

The cost of living in Lake Elsinore, CA is 16% higher than the national average.
Cost of living trend higher
16% higher
than the national average
Whether you're planning to move or just want to see the cost of living in different locations, our cost-of-living calculator is the place to start. Compare salaries for other locations by city, U.S. ZIP code, state, or country.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Child Life Therapist do?
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.
How much does a Child Life Therapist make in Lake Elsinore, CA?
The average salary for a Child Life Therapist is $88,347 per year or $42.47 per hour in Lake Elsinore, CA. Top earners have reported making up to $99,115. However, the typical pay range in Lake Elsinore, CA is between $62,825 and $99,115 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Child Life Therapist?
Child Life Therapist is projected to see a 13.6 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer? 
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career. 
What are some factors that impact Child Life Therapist salaries? 
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.

About Our Data

This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.

ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.

Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.

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