Childcare Workers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$32,050
~$15/hr · ~$2,671/mo
US Jobs
992K
Decline
AI & Automation Risk
2/10
Safe
AI & Automation Risk
Safe 2/10
The core responsibilities of this role—physical care, safety monitoring, hygiene, and emotional support—require a physical presence and human empathy that AI cannot replicate. While AI may assist with peripheral tasks like lesson planning, record-keeping, or parent communication, the fundamental nature of the work is hands-on and occurs in the physical world.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocala, FLBEST VALUE | $44,990 | Below avg (95.8) | $46,962 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $47,730 | Above avg (104.2) | $45,797 |
| Boulder, CO | $42,730 | Average (100.6) | $42,469 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $37,910 | Below avg (91.9) | $41,272 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $38,010 | Below avg (93.5) | $40,646 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $36,720 | Below avg (94.1) | $39,022 |
| Pueblo, CO | $35,950 | Below avg (93.0) | $38,655 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $35,840 | Below avg (92.8) | $38,641 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $36,320 | Below avg (94.1) | $38,612 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,640 | Above avg (113.1) | $38,599 |
| Greeley, CO | $37,070 | Below avg (96.6) | $38,358 |
| Springfield, MA | $37,520 | Average (98.1) | $38,259 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,970 | Above avg (117.6) | $38,256 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $38,430 | Average (100.8) | $38,143 |
| Binghamton, NY | $34,930 | Below avg (92.1) | $37,930 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
10-Year Growth
-3% (Decline)
Hourly Rate
~$15/hr
Monthly Income
~$2,671/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)