Childcare Workers

People in this career attend to the daily needs of children in various settings. Daily tasks involve assisting and caring for others by feeding, bathing, dressing, and supervising children during playtime. Workers must think creatively to organize activities, solve problems, and resolve conflicts that arise among children. The job requires strong interpersonal relationships, clear communication with parents and supervisors, and the physical stamina to perform general physical activities throughout the day.

Success in this field relies heavily on a social interest area, meaning a strong desire to help and teach others. Important skills include monitoring children for safety, social perceptiveness to understand their reactions, active listening, and coordination. Workers must display work styles such as dependability, empathy, self-control, and stress tolerance. Useful knowledge areas include customer and personal service, psychology, public safety, and basic education and training principles.

Entering this field typically requires a high school diploma. The occupation is classified as needing some preparation, which means workers usually start with a high school education and receive some on-the-job training or already have basic experience.

Students interested in this career often study college majors such as human development, family studies, and related services. To improve employment prospects, individuals can earn the Child Development Associate credential from the Council for Professional Recognition. Additionally, some states list a license for this work, so requirements can vary depending on the location of employment.

In 2025, the median annual pay for childcare workers was $34,980. This means half of the workers earned more than this amount and half earned less. The lowest 10% of earners made less than $24,260, while the highest 10% earned more than $46,010.

There are 518,910 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to decline by -2%. Despite this slight decline in total jobs, there are still an estimated 150,300 job openings projected each year.