Social Services
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.
Median salary (BLS)
$34,980
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$24k – $46k
Job outlook
No separate BLS projection for this specific role
AI exposure
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 2 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.
Plan a path to Childcare Workers
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$200–$1,150
Time to qualify
1.5 yr
Renewal
$75/yr
- 1
High school diploma or GED
CourseExpected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.
$0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source
- 2
On-the-job training
ExperienceEmployer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.
Cost varies · 3 months source
- 3
State license — supervised hours + exam
LicenseMost counseling and social-work roles (LCSW/LPC pattern) require supervised experience hours and a state exam.
$200–$1,000 · 12 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Childcare Workers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Junior Childcare Workers
Entry / Junior
$24,260
~2 yrs to advance
Childcare Workers
Established
$34,980
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Childcare Workers
Senior
$40,495
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Social Services
Explore all- University of Michigan18% admit · $87,000 grad pay
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill19% admit · $73,000 grad pay
- University of Chicago5% admit · $91,000 grad pay
- Columbia University4% admit · $103,000 grad pay
- University of Wisconsin–Madison49% admit · $72,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.