Childcare workers

SOC Code: 39-9011
Also known as:
After School Coordinator, After School Counselor, Attendant, Baby Attendant, Baby Sitter
Median Annual Salary
$32,050
-2.9% growth (2024-2034)
160K
Openings/Year
992K
Current Jobs

What Childcare workers 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.

💰 Salary

$32,050
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

-2.9%
Decline

🎓 Education

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

160K
Projected average per year

📚 On-the-Job Training

Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

991,600

Projected Employment (2034)

962,400

Related Careers

Preschool teachers, except special education

$37,120 • +4.1% growth
View →

Childcare workers

$32,050 • -2.9% growth
View →

Top Skills Required

Active Listening
Monitoring
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking
Service Orientation

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Identify signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring them to parents' or guardians' attention.
  • Instruct children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet habits.

Technology & Tools

Microsoft Office software Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel

📚 Entry-Level Education

High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Childcare workers

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a childcare workers:

Child Care Provider/Assistant

22,533 degrees awarded • 410 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Child Development

4,599 degrees awarded • 221 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Early Childhood and Family Studies

439 degrees awarded • 18 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Best Colleges for Becoming a Childcare workers

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become childcare workers.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 Tufts University Medford, MA 80 A
2 California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA 109 B+
3 California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA 186 B
4 Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CA 261 C+
5 Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CA 249 C+
6 MiraCosta College Oceanside, CA 222 C+
7 American Public University System Charles Town, WV 213 C+
8 Chabot College Hayward, CA 172 C+
9 Texas Woman's University Denton, TX 170 C+
10 Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GA 161 C+
11 Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CA 153 C+
12 College of Lake County Grayslake, IL 152 C+
13 Shasta College Redding, CA 144 C+
14 Hazard Community and Technical College Hazard, KY 143 C+
15 Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg Saint Petersburg, FL 136 C+
16 Somerset Community College Somerset, KY 123 C+
17 West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah, KY 118 C+
18 Hinds Community College Raymond, MS 108 C+
19 South Texas College McAllen, TX 102 C+
20 Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO 101 C+

Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do childcare workers make?
The median annual salary for childcare workers is $32,050.
What education do childcare workers need?
Most childcare workers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. Common degree programs include Child Care Provider/Assistant, Child Development, Early Childhood and Family Studies.
Is becoming childcare workers a good career choice?
Childcare workers is projected to see -2.9% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 160,200 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for childcare workers?
Top colleges for aspiring childcare workers include Tufts University, California State University-Long Beach, California State University-San Bernardino, Santa Ana College, Mt San Antonio College. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to childcare workers?
Childcare workers may also be known as: After School Coordinator, After School Counselor, Attendant, Baby Attendant, Baby Sitter, Before and After School Daycare Worker, Boarding Mother, Care Provider, Caregiver, Child Attendant, Child Care Aide, Child Care Assistant, Child Care Attendant, Child Care Development Specialist, Child Care Provider, Child Care Sitter, Child Care Teacher, Child Care Worker, Child Caregiver, Child Daycare Worker. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.