Child Support Data 2025
Average Child Support Payment US 2025: Statistics & State Data
The average child support payment in the US for 2025 is $589/month per child. See state-by-state averages, compliance rates, and income-based payment ranges. Data covers 13.4 million custodial parents and $33.7 billion in annual support.
Key Statistics
Total Owed Annually
$33.7Bbillion
+2.1% vs 2024
Average Monthly Payment
$589per child
+4.2% vs 2024
Compliance Rate
62%full payment
0% vs 2024
Parents Receiving Support
13.4Mcustodial parents
-1.2% vs 2024
Average Child Support by State (2025)
Child support payments vary significantly by state due to differences in income levels, cost of living, and state calculation formulas.
Highest Average Payments
| Rank | State | Avg Monthly | Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $1015 | 71% |
| 2 | Connecticut | $992 | 69% |
| 3 | New York | $845 | 64% |
| 4 | California | $752 | 59% |
| 5 | New Jersey | $738 | 67% |
| 6 | Maryland | $695 | 65% |
| 7 | Virginia | $652 | 63% |
| 8 | Washington | $628 | 61% |
Lowest Average Payments
| State | Avg Monthly | Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $285 | 48% |
| West Virginia | $312 | 51% |
| Arkansas | $338 | 49% |
| Louisiana | $356 | 47% |
| Alabama | $374 | 52% |
Payment Compliance Rates
Only 62% of child support cases receive full payment. 23% receive partial payment, and 15% receive nothing.
Full Payment (100%)
62%
8.3M parents
Partial Payment (1-99%)
23%
3.1M parents
No Payment (0%)
15%
2.0M parents
Child Support by Income Level
Child support payments are directly correlated with non-custodial parent income. Higher earners pay significantly more in support.
| Income Range (Non-Custodial Parent) | Average Monthly Payment | % of Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Under $30,000 | $285 | 28% |
| $30,000 - $50,000 | $425 | 32% |
| $50,000 - $75,000 | $612 | 22% |
| $75,000 - $100,000 | $845 | 11% |
| $100,000+ | $1,450 | 7% |
Child Support Arrears
Unpaid child support (arrears) represents a massive financial burden on custodial parents and the child welfare system.
Total Arrears
$117 billion
Average Per Case
$8,738
Cases in Arrears
13.4 million
Collectability Rate
18%
Why Arrears Matter
$117 billion in unpaid child support represents economic insecurity for millions of children. Only 18% of this debt is considered collectible due to unemployment, incarceration, disability, or death of obligors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average child support payment in 2025?
The average child support payment is $589 per month per child in 2025. However, this varies significantly by state and income level, ranging from $285 in Mississippi to $1,015 in Massachusetts.
What percentage of child support gets paid?
Only 62% of child support cases receive full payment. 23% receive partial payment, and 15% receive no payment at all. Compliance rates are higher in northeastern states and lower in southern states.
How much unpaid child support is there?
Total child support arrears (unpaid support) stands at $117 billion in 2025. The average case has $8,738 in arrears, but only 18% of this total is considered collectible.
How is child support calculated?
Most states use one of three models: Income Shares (40 states), Percentage of Income (10 states), or Melson Formula (3 states). Calculations consider both parents' income, custody arrangement, and number of children.
Cite This Page
Splitifi. "Child Support Statistics 2025: Payment Data, Compliance & State Rankings." Splitifi.com, February 2026, https://www.mysplitifi.com/statistics/child-support-statistics-2025Full Data Access
Complete Statistics Report
Get the complete United States divorce data with all 50 state comparisons
Excel SpreadsheetAll 50 states divorce data for your own analysis
PDF ReportFormatted United States report to share with clients
3-Year Trend DataHistorical comparison showing rate changes over time
256-bit SSLNo spam, everUnsubscribe anytime