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National Average Child Support Payment
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the national average child support payment is approximately $500 to $600 per month, or roughly $5,760 per year. However, this average masks enormous variation. Payments range from under $100 per month for low-income cases to over $5,000 per month for high-income families.
The average has been gradually increasing due to updated state guidelines, rising costs of living, and more sophisticated income verification. Federal data shows that approximately 70% of child support owed is actually collected, with wage withholding being the most effective collection method.
Several factors explain why averages are only a rough guide:
- Income variation — A parent earning $30,000/year will pay far less than one earning $150,000/year
- State formula differences — Each state uses its own guidelines, producing different results from identical income
- Number of children — Support increases with more children, but not proportionally
- Custody arrangement — Shared custody typically reduces the payment compared to sole custody
- Additional expenses — Health insurance, childcare, and extraordinary expenses vary widely
Average Child Support Payment by State
Average child support payments vary significantly by state due to different formulas, income levels, and cost of living. The following table shows estimated average monthly payments for each state based on a combined parental income of $6,000/month with one child:
| State | Avg. 1 Child | Avg. 2 Children | Model Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $480 | $720 | Income Shares |
| Alaska | $550 | $825 | Income Shares |
| Arizona | $510 | $765 | Income Shares |
| Arkansas | $440 | $660 | Income Shares |
| California | $620 | $930 | Income Shares (algebraic) |
| Colorado | $530 | $795 | Income Shares |
| Connecticut | $600 | $900 | Income Shares |
| Delaware | $500 | $750 | Melson Formula |
| Florida | $520 | $780 | Income Shares |
| Georgia | $510 | $765 | Income Shares |
| Hawaii | $560 | $840 | Melson Formula |
| Idaho | $470 | $705 | Income Shares |
| Illinois | $540 | $810 | Income Shares |
| Indiana | $500 | $750 | Income Shares |
| Iowa | $490 | $735 | Income Shares |
| Kansas | $480 | $720 | Income Shares |
| Kentucky | $470 | $705 | Income Shares |
| Louisiana | $490 | $735 | Income Shares |
| Maine | $510 | $765 | Income Shares |
| Maryland | $560 | $840 | Income Shares |
| Massachusetts | $640 | $960 | Income Shares |
| Michigan | $520 | $780 | Income Shares |
| Minnesota | $540 | $810 | Income Shares |
| Mississippi | $370 | $555 | Percentage of Income |
| Missouri | $500 | $750 | Income Shares |
| Montana | $460 | $690 | Income Shares |
| Nebraska | $490 | $735 | Income Shares |
| Nevada | $500 | $750 | Percentage of Income |
| New Hampshire | $540 | $810 | Income Shares |
| New Jersey | $610 | $915 | Income Shares |
| New Mexico | $460 | $690 | Income Shares |
| New York | $630 | $945 | Income Shares |
| North Carolina | $490 | $735 | Income Shares |
| North Dakota | $470 | $705 | Income Shares |
| Ohio | $510 | $765 | Income Shares |
| Oklahoma | $470 | $705 | Income Shares |
| Oregon | $530 | $795 | Income Shares |
| Pennsylvania | $540 | $810 | Income Shares |
| Rhode Island | $520 | $780 | Income Shares |
| South Carolina | $480 | $720 | Income Shares |
| South Dakota | $450 | $675 | Income Shares |
| Tennessee | $490 | $735 | Income Shares |
| Texas | $520 | $650 | Percentage of Income |
| Utah | $490 | $735 | Income Shares |
| Vermont | $530 | $795 | Income Shares |
| Virginia | $540 | $810 | Income Shares |
| Washington | $560 | $840 | Income Shares |
| West Virginia | $450 | $675 | Income Shares |
| Wisconsin | $510 | $680 | Percentage of Income |
| Wyoming | $470 | $705 | Income Shares |
Note: These are estimates based on typical income scenarios. Actual support depends on specific parental incomes, custody arrangements, and additional expenses. Use your state's calculator for a personalized estimate.
Average Child Support by Number of Children
Child support increases with more children, but the increase is not proportional. This reflects the economic reality that raising additional children has diminishing marginal costs (shared housing, transportation, etc.).
| Number of Children | National Average/Month | % of 1-Child Amount | Texas (% of Net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $400 - $600 | 100% | 20% |
| 2 children | $600 - $900 | ~150% | 25% |
| 3 children | $750 - $1,100 | ~180% | 30% |
| 4 children | $850 - $1,250 | ~200% | 35% |
| 5 children | $900 - $1,350 | ~215% | 40% |
| 6+ children | $950 - $1,400 | ~225% | Not less than 40% |
Average Child Support by Income Bracket
Income is the most important factor in determining child support. The following table shows typical monthly payments for one child across different income levels:
| Non-Custodial Parent Income | Typical Monthly Payment | % of Gross Income |
|---|---|---|
| $20,000/year ($1,667/mo) | $200 - $350 | 12-21% |
| $30,000/year ($2,500/mo) | $300 - $500 | 12-20% |
| $50,000/year ($4,167/mo) | $500 - $800 | 12-19% |
| $75,000/year ($6,250/mo) | $700 - $1,100 | 11-18% |
| $100,000/year ($8,333/mo) | $900 - $1,500 | 11-18% |
| $150,000/year ($12,500/mo) | $1,200 - $2,200 | 10-18% |
| $200,000+/year | $1,500 - $3,500+ | 9-21% |
Note that child support as a percentage of income tends to decrease at higher income levels in most states, reflecting that children's basic needs do not increase proportionally with income.
Factors That Affect Child Support Amount
Combined Parental Income
The most significant factor. Higher combined income means higher support obligations under most state formulas.
Custody Arrangement
Shared or joint custody typically reduces payments. More overnight stays with the non-custodial parent means lower support.
Number of Children
More children increases the total obligation, but not proportionally. Each additional child adds a smaller marginal increase.
Health Insurance & Childcare
These additional expenses are allocated between parents and can significantly impact the total obligation.
Other Important Factors
- State formula — Income shares, percentage, or Melson formula each produce different results
- Children's special needs — Medical conditions or educational needs can increase support
- Standard of living — Courts may consider the family's pre-separation lifestyle
- Other support obligations — Pre-existing child support or alimony reduces available income
- Tax filing status — Who claims the children affects both parents' after-tax income
- Extraordinary expenses — Travel for visitation, extracurricular activities, tutoring
Frequently Asked Questions
The national average child support payment is approximately $500 to $600 per month, or about $5,760 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. However, actual payments vary enormously based on state, income levels, number of children, custody arrangement, and other factors. Some parents pay less than $100/month while high-income cases can exceed $5,000/month.
The average child support payment for one child ranges from $350 to $600 per month nationally. However, the actual amount depends on the parents' combined income, the state's formula, custody arrangement, and additional expenses like health insurance and childcare. States using the percentage model (like Texas) typically assign 20% of the non-custodial parent's net income for one child.
For two children, the national average ranges from $500 to $900 per month. Percentage-of-income states like Texas assign 25% of net income for two children. Income shares states calculate based on combined parental income. The increase from one to two children is typically 40-60% more, not double, due to economies of scale.
Yes, income is the primary factor in calculating child support. Higher-income parents generally pay more. Most states use both parents' incomes (income shares model) or the non-custodial parent's income (percentage model). Some states cap the income considered, while others have no cap. Self-employment income, bonuses, and investment income are typically included.
States with higher costs of living and more comprehensive guideline formulas tend to produce higher payments. Massachusetts, New York, California, and New Jersey consistently rank among the highest average payments. However, individual payments depend more on the parents' specific income levels than the state's formula.
Yes. Child support is calculated based on your specific financial circumstances, not averages. If your income is below the median or you have shared custody, your payment may be significantly below average. Courts can also deviate below guidelines for hardship, disability, or other documented circumstances.