Childcare Workers
Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.
Also called: Caregiver · Child Care Worker · Child Caregiver · Childcare Provider · Childcare Worker · Daycare Teacher
Median pay (national)
$32,050
$22,900–$44,560 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
520,180
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-2.9%
~160,200 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for childcare workers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $44,560 versus $22,900 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $32,050 leaves roughly 39% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -2.9% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 160,200 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $45,400, +42% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $21,150 — a 115% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Childcare Workers
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Childcare Workers
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Sanitize toys and play equipment.
- Maintain a safe play environment.
- Observe and monitor children's play activities.
- Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
- Instruct children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet habits.
- Read to children and teach them simple painting, drawing, handicrafts, and songs.
- Assist in preparing food and serving meals and refreshments to children.
- Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.
- Dress children and change diapers.
- Keep records on individual children, including daily observations and information about activities, meals served, and medications administered.
Tools & technology
- Educational software
- Google Classroom
- Nearpod
- Scheduling software
- Schoology
- Seesaw
- Tadpoles
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Mathematics