Earnings for child care workers depend on their education level, the type of employer, the number of children being cared for, and geographic location. Those who work in formal child-care settings usually earn higher wages. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the mean annual earnings for child care workers in May 2023 were $32,070 for full-time work, or approximately $15.42 per hour. The DOL reports that child care workers earned the following mean annual salaries based on employer:
- elementary and secondary schools: $35,600
- individual and family services: $35,140
- religious organizations: $33,330
- child care services: $30,360
- civic and social organizations: $29,960
The department also reports that 10 percent of child care workers earned less than $10.79 per hour (approximately $22,450 annually based on a 40-hour workweek). At the high end of the pay scale, 10 percent of child care workers made more than $20.80 per hour (approximately $43,270 annually based on a 40-hour workweek). Fifty percent of child care workers earned between $13.00 and $17.41 an hour (or $27,040 to $36,200 annually).
Few child care workers receive full benefits from their employers. Some large day care centers and preschools, however, do offer limited health care coverage and vacation pay.