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Personal Care and Service

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Childcare Workers
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Median pay

$32,050
Median annual pay for Childcare Workers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-2.9%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

160,200
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

991,600
Estimated U.S. employment for Childcare Workers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-29,200
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Education and Training
  4. 4Public Safety and Security
  5. 5Psychology
  6. 6Administration and Management

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Far Vision
  6. 6Speech Recognition

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Artistic
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Realistic
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Empathy
  3. 3Cooperation
  4. 4Optimism
  5. 5Social Orientation
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Assisting and Caring for Others
  2. 2Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  3. 3Thinking Creatively
  4. 4Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  5. 5Getting Information
  6. 6Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Work context

  1. 1Contact With Others
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  4. 4Physical Proximity
  5. 5Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  6. 6Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

Representative tasks

  • Maintain a safe play environment.
  • Observe and monitor children's play activities.
  • Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.
  • Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
  • Care for children in institutional setting, such as group homes, nursery schools, private businesses, or schools for people with disabilities.
  • Sanitize toys and play equipment.
  • Dress children and change diapers.
  • Keep records on individual children, including daily observations and information about activities, meals served, and medications administered.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyEducational softwareGoogle ClassroomNearpodScheduling softwareSchoologySeesawTadpolesWeb browser software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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