Childcare Workers
SOC code 39-9011 · O*NET-SOC 39-9011.00 · Little to some preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation
Childcare Workers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$34,980
a year
Hourly
$16.82
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$35,030
$16.84 per hour
Middle 50%
$29,360 – $38,570
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$24,260 – $46,010
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
518,910
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $24,260
- $11.66/hr
- 25th percentile
- $29,360
- $14.12/hr
- Median percentile
- $34,980
- $16.82/hr
- 75th percentile
- $38,570
- $18.55/hr
- 90th percentile
- $46,010
- $22.12/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
-3%
Declining
991,600
jobs in 2024
962,400
projected for 2034
About 29,200 fewer jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a childcare worker do?
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 tasks that matter most day to day
- Maintain a safe play environment.
- Observe and monitor children's play activities.
- Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.
- 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.
- Dress children and change diapers.
- Keep records on individual children, including daily observations and information about activities, meals served, and medications administered.
How to become a childcare worker
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 39% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)39%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree23%
- Less than a High School Diploma14%
- Some College Courses10%
Common questions
How much does a childcare worker earn?
The national median is $34,980 a year. The full range runs from $24,260 at the 10th percentile to $46,010 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a childcare worker without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is childcare worker in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 3% between 2024 and 2034 — declining. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.5/5
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Speaking3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.2/5
- Psychology3.0/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- Personnel and Human Resources2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.