Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.
Childcare Workers
SOC: 39-9011 O*NET: 39-9011.00
Median Salary
$32,050
per year
Job Growth
📉 -2.9%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
160.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.
What does a Childcare Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$22,900
10th percentile
Early Career
$28,000
25th percentile
Median
$32,050
50th percentile
Experienced
$36,960
75th percentile
Top Earners
$44,560
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$22,900
25th
$28,000
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$32,050
Mean: $33,140
75th
$36,960
90th
$44,560
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $21,660 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $28,000 and $36,960
- •Salary spread is 28.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 520,180 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:991,600
Top Industries
Social Assistance57.3%
Child Care Services53.3%
Other Services (except Public Administration)6.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-2.9%
Annual Openings:160,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)991,600
Current
2034 (Projected)962,400
-2.9%
-29,200
Employment Change
-2.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Childcare Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
47,190 jobs$38,2200.77x
Texas
45,020 jobs$28,5200.96x
New York
42,780 jobs$36,6301.33x
Georgia
25,650 jobs$27,9401.57x
New Jersey
23,680 jobs$34,2901.65x
Illinois
22,540 jobs$32,8601.10x
Florida
21,790 jobs$30,8800.66x
Michigan
14,760 jobs$29,2901.00x
Pennsylvania
14,410 jobs$28,3300.71x
Virginia
14,150 jobs$30,1501.03x
Tennessee
13,190 jobs$29,0301.19x
Ohio
12,580 jobs$28,2300.68x
Massachusetts
12,370 jobs$39,2901.01x
North Carolina
12,200 jobs$28,4800.74x
South Carolina
11,570 jobs$28,4401.51x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Service Orientation
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Persuasion
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Time Management
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Persuasion
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Persuasion
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Concierges100%
5 shared skills
Spa Managers82%
5 shared skills
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Residential Advisors82%
5 shared skills
Segmental Pavers82%
5 shared skills
Transportation Security Screeners82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
- →Persuasion
- →Critical Thinking
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Service Orientation
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Active Listening
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Childcare Workers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (3)General Responsibilities (10)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Training & Development (2)Operations & Execution (2)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Care for children in institutional setting, such as group homes, nursery schools, private businesses, or schools for people with disabilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Sanitize toys and play equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Discipline children and recommend or initiate other measures to control behavior, such as caring for own clothing and picking up toys and books.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Identify signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring them to parents' or guardians' attention.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Observe and monitor children's play activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Keep records on individual children, including daily observations and information about activities, meals served, and medications administered.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Instruct children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet habits.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Read to children and teach them simple painting, drawing, handicrafts, and songs.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development76% perform84%
10
Organize and store toys and materials to ensure order in activity areas.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Childcare Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Childcare Workers professionals typically have a SCA Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Childcare Workers
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.61
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.47
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.47
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.46
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.42
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.29
Complete Work Styles Profile
Self-Control
4.6
Integrity
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Concern for Others
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.3
Social Orientation
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Independence
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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