by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 4 U.S. colleges awarded 47 degrees and certificates in Lactation Consultant. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 57% of graduates. College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Lactation Consultant Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $27,519 one year after completing, rising to $35,634 after four years.
A 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].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, lactation consultant is a popular field of study, with 47 degrees awarded annually. 4 colleges award lactation consultant degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 18.
By level, the 47 awards include 20 certificates and 27 master’s degrees.
Women earned 100% of lactation consultant degrees and certificates in the latest year (47 of 47). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (32) and Hispanic or Latino (7).
College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Lactation Consultant Schools ranking, including 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks lactation consultant schools within 1 state. In all, 4 colleges offer lactation consultant programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Lactation Consultant Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common lactation consultant credential is the master’s degree: 27 of the 47 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to lactation consultant call most for Active Listening, Reading Comprehension and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a lactation consultant degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 20 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 27 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to lactation consultant, at 36.2%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Lactation Consultant, with an average median salary of $47,500; the strongest outlook belongs to Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, at 14.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Speech Correction Assistant, Speech Therapy Assistant, Speech-Language Technician and Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA).
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to lactation consultant, at 866,044.
| 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% |
Lactation Consultant graduates earn a median $27,519 one year after completing their program, $35,634 after four years and $32,689 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,519 |
| 4 years | $35,634 |
| 5 years | $32,689 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to lactation consultant is Healthcare Support Workers, All Other, with a median salary of $53,362.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $53,362 |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistants | $48,496 |
| Endoscopy Technicians | $40,643 |
Lactation Consultant has 12 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 84,268 degrees a year; the largest are Medical/Clinical Assistant (55,276), Pharmacy Technician/Assistant (8,060) and Physical Therapy Assistant (5,489). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medical/Clinical Assistant | 55,276 |
| Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | 8,060 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5,489 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other | 4,386 |
| Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) | 4,277 |
| Occupational Therapist Assistant | 3,204 |
| Radiologist Assistant | 1,676 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant | 663 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | 497 |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistant | 304 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
