by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Lactation Consultant covers Lactation Consultant. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Provide Lactation Management Services And Breastfeeding Support To Women, And To Work As A Lactation Consultant In A Variety Of Clinical Settings. Includes Instruction In Anatomy And Physiology Of Lactation, Nutrition, Breastfeeding Techniques And Technologies, Common Concerns And Solutions, Management Of Special Situations, Breastfeeding Instruction, Professional And Legal Concerns, And Advocacy. Examples: [Lactation Education], [Lactation Counselor], [Lactation Management]. Read on to learn the important information every lactation consultant major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering lactation consultant programs.
Across the country, lactation consultant is a popular field of study, with 37 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Lactation Consultant Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for lactation consultant students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of lactation consultant programs later in this article.
Coursework for Lactation Consultant build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations lactation consultant graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a lactation consultant program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a lactation consultant major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several lactation consultant degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 28 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 9 |
People currently working in careers related to lactation consultant tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 36.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 25.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 14.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.5% |
| Master’s degree | 2.6% |
| Some college courses | 1.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in lactation consultant careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in lactation consultant can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to lactation consultant.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to lactation consultant.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistants | 866,044 | 14.8% |
| Endoscopy Technicians | 708,506 | 7.8% |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | 191,989 | 3.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of lactation consultant graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,434 |
| 4 years | $29,082 |
| 5 years | $32,352 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for lactation consultant graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers lactation consultant grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $53,362 |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistants | $48,496 |
| Endoscopy Technicians | $40,643 |
With 5 different lactation consultant programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased lactation consultant school rankings to help you.
Those considering lactation consultant, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medical/Clinical Assistant | 52,819 |
| Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | 7,541 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5,633 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other | 4,065 |
| Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) | 3,923 |
| Occupational Therapist Assistant | 3,178 |
| Radiologist Assistant | 1,513 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant | 614 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant | 431 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | 423 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
