How Much Do Daycare Workers Get Paid? - Work

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When busy parents go to work and no one is at home, they drop their children off at daycare centers for safekeeping. Here children receive safe adult supervision but also the early stages of an education through social interaction, behavior lessons, art activities and games. The salaries of daycare workers depend on their job title and duties.

Daycare or Childcare Workers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2019 median daycare worker salary was $24,230 a year. Median salary means half the people in the occupation earned more, while half earned less. The annual salary translates to a median daycare hourly rate of $11.65. Pay can vary depending on the requirements to work at a daycare.

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Child care workers take care of preschool children by preparing and serving meals for kids, helping them with good hygiene and organizing learning activities. They teach their charges routines that involve physical activity, social stimulation, play and rest. They also monitor and record the progress of children. Requirements to work at a daycare vary by state, as do educational qualifications. In some states, there are no specific requirements, while others require a post-secondary credential in early childhood education. Some states require certification from national organizations.

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Preschool Teachers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics cited a median salary of $30,520 per year for preschool teachers. Preschool teachers work with children ages 3 to 5 years old subjects such as reading, writing, science and art to prepare them for kindergarten. They may work with groups or one-on-one, target lessons to different aspects of childhood development such as language skill or motor development, and keep records of student progress. State requirements vary from at least a high school diploma to a college degree. Some states require certification from such organizations as the Council for Professional Recognition or the National Child Care Association.

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Teacher Assistants

The median 2019 pay for teacher assistants was $27,920 per year, reported the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highly variable, mostly part-time hours of teacher assistants prevented the BLS from extrapolating an hourly wage. Teacher assistants are supervised by teachers to give preschoolers extra educational attention. They set up activities and distribute learning toys, help teach proper behavior and learning skills, explain concepts to students, and help with record keeping. Requirements range from a high school diploma to an associate degree, depending on the state. Many child care centers also offer additional on-the-job training.

Educational Administrators

Also known as child care center directors, they manage the workers, schedules, budgets and programs of their facilities. They establish policies and communicate them to staff and parents, meet with parents to discuss student progress, establish fees for services and ensure that daycare areas are well maintained. They also hire and train new workers, set educational standards and develop learning programs. State qualifications vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Some states also require nationally recognized certification.

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Because many states require licensing for child care facilities, directors must ensure that they and their staff meet the necessary requirements such as passing a background check and having immunizations. The employment website PayScale lists the average daycare director salary as $37,639, effective July 2020. PayScale cited a range of $33,000 to $39,000 a year, depending on factors such as geographic location and experience of the individual.

References

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Childcare Workers
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Preschool Teachers
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Teacher Assistants
• PayScale: Average Daycare Director Salary

Chron Contributor