What is the average child support payment in the US?

Asked by: Mr. Enrique Kirlin DDS  |  Last update: September 13, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (47 votes)

Nationally, the average monthly child support payment is around $721. Your payment may be more or less than the average child support payment in the U.S. due to your income and other factors. Plus, every state has unique laws and economic conditions that influence child support average payments.

How much do most dads pay in child support?

The average child support payment in California comes in at around $500 per month. Other estimates put the number at around $425 on the low end and approximately $800 for a high average. Of course, these numbers are just a rough estimate of what the average person pays monthly for child support.

Which state has the highest child support?

The state with the highest median child support payment was Massachusetts, with a median payment of $1,187 per month. Other states with relatively high median child support payments include Nevada, Hawaii, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Kansas, and Nebraska.

How much is child support if you make 100k?

Annualized, you could say I paid about 12% of my pre-tax income in child support. So, for example, if I made about $100,000 a year before tax and Mom earned zero, then I would owe her about $1,000 a month ($12,000 a year) in child support.

What is child support payment in the USA?

Child support refers to the sum that the noncustodial parent must pay to the custodian . This sum serves as a parental contribution for the child's basic living expenses, such as food, clothing, shelter, health care, and education.

What Percentage Of Pay Goes To Child Support?

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What is the average monthly child support payment USA?

Nationally, the average monthly child support payment is around $721. Your payment may be more or less than the average child support payment in the U.S. due to your income and other factors.

What race pays the most in child support?

Non-Hispanic Black noncustodial parents owe the highest level of child support orders compared to non- Hispanic White noncustodial parents, partly due to the higher proportion of non- Hispanic Black parents who have children with multiple partners.

How much is child support for a billionaire?

Child support payments are determined by a variety of factors, including the income of the parent paying the support, the number of children involved, and the laws of the state where the parent lives. Therefore, there is no set amount that a billionaire would have to pay in child support.

How can I pay child support with no income?

Child Support Modification on Imputed Income

You can request an adjustment to your child support order, but the court will base new child support amounts on your opportunity and ability to find similar-paying work using your previous employment as a benchmark for what you may be able to earn in the future.

What is the biggest factor in calculating child support?

Parental Income

Both parents' gross income is a critical starting point. Income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, rental income, dividends, unemployment benefits, and more. Courts also consider non-monetary perks like housing or vehicles provided by an employer.

What states are best for father's rights?

Among the best states for fathers are also: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin, which also tend to give fathers 50 percent custody.

How many men avoid child support?

Nearly 11 million fathers in the United States do not live with their children. Two- thirds of these fathers do not pay formal child support. 1 Society is rightly concerned about the widespread failure of absent fathers to contribute to their children's support.

How much does a child cost per month?

How much does raising a child cost yearly? The $288,094 figure can seem incredibly intimidating — but remember, that cost is spread out over 18 years. Taking a rough average, that's around $16,005 per year — or approximately $1,334 per month.

Who has the most expensive child support?

10 Most Expensive Celebrity Child Support Rulings
  1. 1 Nick Cannon: $250k a Month.
  2. 2 Kanye West: $200k a Month. ...
  3. 3 A-Rod: $115k a Month. ...
  4. 4 Charlie Sheen: $80k a Month. ...
  5. 5 Brendan Fraser: $75k a Month. ...
  6. 6 Sean Combs: $55k a Month. ...
  7. 7 Eddie Murphy: $35k a Month for One of Them. ...
  8. 8 Nas: $51k a Month. ...

Who pays child support in 50/50 custody in California?

Generally, the higher-income parent pays the child support to the other parent. The goal is to ensure the child's expenses are met in both homes in a 50-50 custody arrangement. However, other factors could change how child support is calculated.

What is disposable income for child support?

Disposable income is the amount that is left after subtracting mandatory deductions from gross pay. Mandatory deductions include federal, state, and local taxes; unemployment insurance; workers' compensation insurance; state employee retirement deductions; and other deductions determined by state law.

Can you live off child support?

In most cases, mothers are given custody of their children, and fathers are supposed to pay child support. Unfortunately, a custodial parent may quit employment to live off the child support payments.

Can a father lose custody for not having a job?

Does Unemployment Affect Custody Decisions? While financial stability is a factor in custody cases, unemployment alone is rarely enough to disqualify a parent from custody.

How much child support will I pay if I make $1000 a week?

Using a standard calculation, an individual earning $1,000 a week might pay around $250 per month for one child, though this figure can vary significantly based on specific circumstances and local county guidelines.

Why do rich people pay more child support?

For high-income cases, the amount of child support depends on each child's needs and standard of living. A wealthier parent might need to pay more child support than their co-parent if they have a higher income, but there are also limits in place for child support amounts.

How much money is enough to support a child?

According to SmartAsset, the total cost of raising a child born in 2023 can reach nearly $375,000, including essentials like food, clothing, and education. Developing good money management habits early on is crucial to preparing for the long-term costs of raising children.

Why do celebrities pay so much child support?

In short, large income disparities almost always lead to California's calculation recommending the higher earner pay significant amounts, and the amount grows as the gap widens.

What state has the best child support?

For example, New Jersey ranks 47th in child support payments, even though it's one of the most expensive states in which to live. Massachusetts is first, and Nevada second. According to the study, the Northeast region ranks higher, while Rocky Mountain states rate the lowest.

How often do fathers fight for custody?

In 91% of custody cases, the parents mutually decide to give custody to the mother. Fathers fight for custody in court in less than 4% of divorces. Twenty-seven percent of fathers completely abandon their children after divorce.

How many people don't pay child support?

Home / Population / Articles / How much child support do parents actually receive? About 30% of parents who are owed child support payments get nothing, according to data from the Census Bureau.