Childcare workers provide care for children when parents and other family members are unavailable. They attend to children's basic needs, such as bathing and feeding. In addition, some help children prepare for kindergarten or help older children with homework.
Childcare workers care for children in childcare centers, their own home, or the homes of the children in their care. Many work full time, but part-time work and irregular hours are common.
Education and training requirements vary by setting, state, and employer. They range from no formal education to certification in early childhood education.
The median hourly wage for childcare workers was $9.77 in May 2015.
Employment of childcare workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job opportunities for childcare workers are expected to be favorable.
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for childcare workers.
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of childcare workers with similar occupations.
Learn more about childcare workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2024 Edition
Interesting Fact
The word "salary" comes from salarium, or "salt money" and was used in ancient Rome to describe the wages paid to Roman legionnaires who were compensated in salt.
