What Childcare Workers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Childcare Workers this way: "Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts"; "Care for children in institutional setting, such as group homes, nursery schools, private businesses, or schools for people with disabilities"; "Sanitize toys and play equipment"; "Discipline children and recommend or initiate other measures to control behavior, such as caring for own clothing and picking up toys and books"; "Identify signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring them to parents' or guardians' attention".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Childcare Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,010,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 990,400 in 2035, a decrease of 19,900 jobs (-2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 150,300 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 14.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 24.2% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $34,980, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Childcare Workers earn the most
Across the 15 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $27,893 in Georgia to $40,793 in New Hampshire, a gap of $12,899 (1.46 times). 9 of those 15 states average above the BLS national median of $34,980 and 6 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 63,270, which is 15.3% of the 413,220 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 59,720.
Highest-paying states
New Hampshire ($40,793), California ($40,593) and Massachusetts ($40,444) lead the ranking, while Georgia ($27,893) and Texas ($28,391) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Childcare Workers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 19 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $11,557. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $9,806 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 12 of the 19 markets and falls short in 7. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 40.3% and 105.4% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Childcare Workers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (39-9000) include Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors and Recreation Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Childcare Workers
How much do Childcare Workers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $34,980. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $27,893 to $40,793.
Which state pays Childcare Workers the most?
New Hampshire, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $40,793. California is next at $40,593.
Is Childcare Workers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 150,300 openings a year.
What education do Childcare Workers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Childcare Workers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $11,557 on a median wage of $37,610.