Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Education and training requirements for childcare workers vary by setting, state, and employer. They range from no formal education to certification in early childhood education. PayThe median hourly wage for childcare workers was $16.82 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of childcare workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 150,300 openings for childcare workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for childcare workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of childcare workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about childcare workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median hourly wage for childcare workers was $16.82 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of childcare workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 150,300 openings for childcare workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for childcare workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of childcare workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about childcare workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of childcare workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 150,300 openings for childcare workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for childcare workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of childcare workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about childcare workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Childcare workers attend to children's needs while helping to foster early development.
Work Environment
Childcare workers typically work in childcare centers, their own home, or private households. Part-time work and irregular hours are common.
How to Become a Childcare Worker
Education and training requirements for childcare workers vary by setting, state, and employer. They range from no formal education to certification in early childhood education.
Pay
The median hourly wage for childcare workers was $16.82 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of childcare workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 150,300 openings for childcare workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for childcare workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of childcare workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about childcare workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Childcare workers typically work in childcare centers, their own home, or private households. Part-time work and irregular hours are common.
How to Become a Childcare Worker
Education and training requirements for childcare workers vary by setting, state, and employer. They range from no formal education to certification in early childhood education.
Pay
The median hourly wage for childcare workers was $16.82 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of childcare workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 150,300 openings for childcare workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for childcare workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of childcare workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about childcare workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for childcare workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of childcare workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about childcare workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about childcare workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.