Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Childcare workers support the care and development of children and represent a large occupation, with 992,000 people employed nationally. The role typically requires at least a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to many students and career changers. This work draws heavily on interpersonal skills, speaking and listening, and adaptability, as well as creativity and innovation to engage children effectively. Physical strength and stamina can also be important in handling the active nature of the job. Workers in this field may use problem solving and decision making to address day-to-day situations with children and families, and may draw on basic science knowledge. There are related career paths, including preschool teachers (except special education), self-enrichment teachers, and other personal care and service roles. Overall, this occupation offers a clear entry point into child-focused work with defined skills that can be developed over time.
Childcare workers earn a national median annual salary of $32,050. Within this field, pay varies by location. Several states show higher median salaries, including Washington at $41,680, Massachusetts at $40,900, Colorado at $40,750, and California at $40,020. New York’s median is $37,590. Metro areas with higher median salaries include San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $45,720 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $44,540. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro reports $41,590, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV reports $37,610, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ reports $37,870. These figures show that some states and metros offer earnings above the national median, highlighting the importance of geographic choice for maximizing income potential in this occupation.
Childcare workers currently have national employment of 992,000, reflecting a sizable workforce. Projected employment growth is -2.9%, indicating a modest decline in overall jobs over the projection period. Despite this negative growth rate, there are still an estimated 160,000 annual openings. This combination suggests that while the total number of positions may decrease slightly, there will continue to be substantial turnover and replacement needs. For job seekers, this means opportunities may often arise as existing workers change roles, retire, or leave the occupation. When considering this career, it is important to weigh the large number of current workers and annual openings against the projected decline in employment levels over time.
Location choices can significantly shape the experience of childcare workers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington stand out by CareerGPS opportunity score. California has the highest employment among these, with 52,780 childcare workers and a median salary of $40,020, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York has 44,020 employed and a median of $37,590, with a score of 65.78. Massachusetts and Colorado have more moderate employment levels (13,140 and 13,310) but higher median salaries around $40,750–$40,900. Washington shows a median salary of $41,680 with 4,340 employed. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores, 77.42 and 77.27. San Francisco, Washington DC area, and Boston metros also offer higher salaries and solid opportunity scores, giving workers multiple geographic options to target.
Childcare workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, which makes this role relatively accessible for individuals entering the workforce or changing careers. While formal education requirements are straightforward, success in this occupation is strongly tied to a broad skill set. Interpersonal skills, speaking and listening, and customer service abilities support daily interaction with children and families. Creativity and innovation help workers design engaging activities, while adaptability allows them to respond to changing situations. Physical strength and stamina can be important in managing active days. Problem solving and decision making support handling routine and unexpected challenges, and writing and reading skills assist with basic documentation and communication. Science knowledge also appears among the top skills, indicating that an understanding of basic concepts can be useful. Together, these skills complement the educational requirement and can differentiate workers who are effective and prepared for the demands of the role.
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